Review: 'Argylle' Is A Perfect Combo Of Slick Spy Movie And Absurd Comedy
Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell as an author and spy respectively in “Argylle.” (Peter Mountain, Universal Picture via CNN)
Estimated reading time: 4-5 minutes
Did you know that No Man's Land takes place in the middle of the day? About an hour after lunch and a few hours before departure. The place where you get lost in the wave of time, you stand still and can only see the vast nothingness between your goal and your outcome. We are at the beginning of no man's land when it comes to movies.
In January and February, historically, major studios have abandoned films they didn't know what to do with. Good examples of trashy movies are Kangaroo Jack, DeepStar Six, and Last Year's Airplane. However, every now and then some films manage to buck this trend and become big hits that are actually good, such as "Taken", "October Sky" and the recent film "A Man Called Otto".
As far as I'm concerned, “Argylle” is one of those shitty movies. The new film went under the radar, but the silly, over-the-top action makes it a fun movie experience.
Here are a few reasons why I think Argyle is what we need in this age of no man's land.
Matthew Vaughn has the best action sequences
Director Matthew Vaughn is a master of crazy action sequences and delivers more fun and panache than any other director. Expert, including Kingsman. Secret Service” and “X-Men”.
Dense, frenetic and perfectly choreographed, the opera is a visual feast full of pleasant surprises. Vaughn's unique talent makes doodling an art form that only he can master.
Sam Rockwell leads a fantastic cast
A master in his own right, Sam Rockwell leads an extraordinary cast that takes Argyle to new heights. With a unique twist, Rockwell's infectious energy and James Bond charm redefine the style of the action hero. If anyone else tried to do what he does, they would collapse, but Rockwell is the only one. And I love his version of the spy.
Alongside him, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Henry Cavill and the entire team deliver performances that reflect their commitment and joy in making this film. Their collective enthusiasm adds even more enjoyment to the moviegoing experience.
It's just the right amount of ridiculous
Vaughn's unique directorial style takes center stage, resulting in a film that perfectly balances silliness and fun. Despite the change in tone halfway through the film, the unpredictability captivates the audience. Moments of absurdity made me shake my head and wonder: what is happening? But I smiled while I did it.
It's often funny, and while some might find it over the top, for those familiar with Vaughn's style it's just the right amount of weird.
What parents should know
Argyle is violent. Throughout the film, people fall left and right. The absence of any gory or graphic nature of the murder made it PG-13.
There is almost no language in the film other than the F-word, and aside from some short dresses and ridiculous, non-explicit dancing, there is no sex or sexual scenes in the film. PG-13 is the correct rating, even though it is a mature PG-13. The violence is often cartoonish, but there's a lot of it.
Diploma
Argyle won't be for everyone. For those who want an escapist action film with silly sequences and lots of twists, it's a great change of pace and an excuse to go to the movies and eat popcorn.
