Normally we're used to Colin Firth starring in films that are either politely funny (like Bridget Jones' Diary or Love Actually) or blisteringly dramatic (such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or, more recently, Devil's Knot.) However, there comes a time in an actor's career when they decide it's time to switch things up a bit and get a little more action-y. Which means that the trailer to Kingsman: The Secret Service marks Colin Firth's entry into the "later career badass" phase that Liam Neeson has been occupying as of late.
20th Century Fox's official YouTube channel dropped the latest trailer to Matthew Vaughn's latest directorial venture into the world of comic books last night, and it's even more stylish than the first trailer we received earlier this year. Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of Harry Hart (Firth,) a top spy for a secret branch of the English government who's tasked with recruiting new operatives in a war against villains like Samuel L. Jackson's Valentine.
Besides the typical "humanity is a virus" plotline that's been done frequently enough that its vitals need to be checked, Kingsman: The Secret Service looks like it's going to be a hell of a ride. Vaughn's action visuals are polished and impressive, with the audience being able to see what's going on. Of course, there's the minor side effect of a couple of dodgy shots of CGI, particularly this likely candidate for post-production retouching.
However, as Samuel L. Jackson is implied to have said in this trailer, it's hard to give a shit. Kingsman The Secret Service looks like it takes the deadly serious spy game that James Bond has finally become again and turns it loose in a playground of action and one liners. In a Bond film, that could be trouble; but in Kingsman it looks like it's going to make for a great night out at the movies. Better still, it looks like Colin Firth is taking a load off and becoming more comfortable with projects that look like a vacation from his typically more grounded fare. Fingers crossed that this film becomes a franchise and Firth gets to keep this up!
20th Century Fox has had a pretty good year in 2014, with Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes and X-Men: Days Of Future Past bringing in some impressive figures in an overall dismal summer. Kingsman: The Secret Service could be a record breaker in its Valentine's Day weekend slot of February 13th, 2015. Seeing as 50 Shades Of Grey is its only competition, it'll be an interesting weekend to say the least. But don't be surprised if Christian Grey ends up being the one that gets punished at the box office.
