Movie Review - The King's Man

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Djimon Hounsou, Charles Dance, Matthew Goode, Daniel Brühl, Tom Hollander
 
Description: In the early years of the 20^th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.

Review: “The King’s Man” is a continuation of “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and “Kingsman: The Gold Circle” and is set before these films. Director Matthew Vaughn did the same with “X-Men: First Class”, where he made the series interesting again by bringing the subject matter back to its starting point. It doesn’t quite works as well with this franchise though.
The Kingsman agency’s origins is traced back to World War I. This results not so much in an interesting setting, but in a rather clumsy attempt to go through the entire war as fast as possible. Only not the war we know from the history books, but a hugely fictionalized version of it.
Vaughn rewrites World War I into a conflict completely orchestrated by a shadowy organization. As such, the war depicted has almost more in common with the Clone Wars from “Star Wars” then with the actual conflict that claimed forty million lives. It is quite daring, but the result is in the end rather stale because Vaughn is a little too eager to tick off all the familiar chapter.
For example, Russia withdraws from the war after a few years, only because of the Communists taking power, but simply as yet another move in a huge chess game. Or in other words: less interesting than real history. But then again, for a history-telling, you’re in the wrong place with “The King’s Man”. This is the type of film in which one look at a scary man with a big beard is enough to know that Hollywood has once again brought out its favorite Russian villain Rasputin.
The central figure in the story is the British aristocrat Orlando Oxford, who has the necessary experience with violence and therefore tries with all his might to keep his son safe. A fine premise and Ralph Fiennes is really good in his role (is he hardly ever not good?). It is quite refreshing to see him in a role as action hero, which he can truly embrace in the finale of the film. Which is also the highlight. It’s just a pity that the road leading up to it is rather long and muddled. Vaughn does manage to simplify the war enormously, but doesn’t get it right with the overarching plot.
That doesn’t take away from the fact that there is some creativity here and there in the messy narrative. For example, there is the very fun idea of presenting the German emperor, the Russian tsar and the British king as three quarreling nephews who, in their conceit, tear Europe apart. Only in doing so, World War I is reduced to a conflict between tree powers, conveniently leaving out France entirely.
The first movie in this series really pleasantly surprised me and I liked it way more then I expected too. And it’s a movie I would rewatch many time. “The King’s Man” is not bad, but not very good either. It’s entertaining, but aside from the wonderful finale the movie doesn’t have much to remember.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Murder Mystery

Director: Kyle Newacheck
Genre: Comedy/ Crime/ Mystery
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Luke Evans, Gemma Arterton, Terence Stamp

Description: New York cop Nick (Adam Sandler) and his wife Audrey (Jennifer Aniston) go on a Europe vacation to reinvigorate the spark in their marriage, but end up getting framed and on the run for the death of an elderly billionaire.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 9: A GUILTY PLEASURE MOVIE

Review: “Murder Mystery”, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, is as the title might spoil, a murder mystery or a so-called whodunit. But with a comical twist.
Aniston and Sandler teamed up before, for the comedy “Just Go With It” and both are very experienced in the comedy department. But for both this is their first mystery film.
They play married couple Nick and Audrey Spitz. He is a New York cop, she a hairdresser and they are about to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. When they got married, Nick promised Audrey to take her to Europe someday, but he never did. Audrey confronts him with that, and Nick books a last-minute trip to Spain, telling her he had it all planned for her. On board of the plane, Audrey meets the charming Charles Cavendish, who invites them on his uncle’s yacht. When a murder occurs, Audrey, who loves reading murder mysteries, and Nick, a wannabe detective, are wanted for that murder. But they try to solve the crime themselves while on the run from Interpol.
Take an Agatha Christie book, set it in the 21st century, add some self-mockery and clichés and that’s the base of “Murder Mystery”.
This is your typical guilty pleasure film and a good time. Because of the perfect comedic timing of both Aniston and Sandler and how well they work together, most of the jokes work. The film is aware of its clichés and the story is actually pretty simple and not very original.
“Murder Mystery” is a definite fun time and the film is a quick and easy view.

Rating: 3 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 114: Runner Runner

Director: Brad Furman
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 88 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton, Ben Affleck, Anthony Mackie, John Heard, Bob Gunton

Description: When a poor college student (Justin Timberlake) who cracks an online poker game goes bust, he arranges a face-to-face with the man (Ben Affleck) he thinks cheated him, a sly offshore entrepreneur.

Review: In 2011 director Brad Furman scored unexpectedly with “The Lincoln Lawyer”, a strong thriller that boosted Matthew McConaughey’s career. The follow up movie “Runner Runner” is ambitious, but misses inspiration and feels mediocre.
Richie Furst is an ambitious young student and is introduced to quick money, beautiful women and luxury. But off course he is not made for a world like that and it gets him into trouble. Richie is played by Justin Timberlake and the boss he has to face is Ben Affleck. To pay for his college Richie gets his money by gambling online. But one day, he gambles it all away and he feels like he was cheated. Richie decides to find the man behind the website, Ivan Block, who lives in Costa Rica.
The way the story goes is very farfetched and feels illogical. The movie does have a good pace at the beginning. But the movie collapses pretty quickly. The movie is filled with clichés. And the acting isn’t all that great either. Justin Timberlake is not a good actor, especially not for a leading role like this.Ben Affleck I was never a fan of and in “Runner Runner” he didn’t win me over. Gemma Arterton has the thankless job to play the woman between the two men, when she has so much more to offer as an actress. And Anthony Mackie is also underused.
With all that, “Runner Runner” is extremely predictable. You just know what’s going to happen and you don’t really care either. “Runner Runner” is a mediocre thriller, that I will forget in an instant. Forgotten!

Rating: 2/ 5