Kingsman: The Secret Service ***

Matthew Vaughn wrote the screenplay and directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, Colin Firth, Taron Egerton. Rated R for sequences of strong violence, language and some sexual content. Running time is two hours and nine minutes.

The story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid (Taron Egerton) into the agency's ultra-competitive training program.

If you've ever wondered what a hard-core R rated James Bond film might look like, this is probably as close as you'll get. At least for the first half of the film. After that it wanders off and becomes slightly slap-stick before returning to it's original mode. Featured are a first class group of British actors combined with powerful CG effects and a plot that's different enough to keep things interesting. Samuel L. Jackson is effective although unbelievable as a mad villain with a lisp.The pacing is good so I was never bored, despite the length. The caution here is in the rating: "sequences of strong violence." That's putting it mildly as this is one of the most violent films I've ever seen. As long as you like and are aware of that fact, you should be fine. The ending clearly indicates a sequel is possible.

There is an additional sequence soon after the final credits begin. A large screen will make the graphics more impressive. Theatres/Times.