Movie Review: Argylle Is One CRAZY Spin On Spy Movies
I have a theory that when a movie repeats the same scenes in a trailer, it is probably going to be bad. It is why I am biting my nails for Madame Web. For the most part, my theory is right. If you find 5 movie trailers, for the same film, re-editing the same 5 scenes and barely giving you 5 details from the plot…. you are walking into dangerous territory. Yet, Argylle broke my rule, and instead is a REALLY GOOD BLOCKBUSTER.
Written and directed by Matthew Vaughn, I am surprised at how much Kingsman energy is throughout Argylle, which you do not, necessarily, feel from the trailer. For one, I thought Apple Films would pull a ¨Bad Bunny In Bullet Train¨ and have me pay a ticket to see Henry Cavill for 5 seconds. Yet, he plays a much richer role in a story that is, as a whole, much richer, as well. Bryce Dallas Howards charms as Elle Conway, the gorgeous, supercool author of a spy franchise that, for some reason, has no self-esteem. She just hides away in her lake house with her cat, Alfie, and does book events in between writing her final installment: cue Sam Rockwell as Aiden.
Rockwell is, literally, one of the most charismatic actors I have ever seen onscreen. He has such a presence, and, especially in roles like Aiden, shines for how badass and goofy he is allowed to be. Aiden, as seen in trailers, comes to save Elle from a secret, evil spy division that have found her books a little too fore-shadowing of the actual world of espionage. He absolutely sweeps her away, and becomes the silly heart of the first half of the film, which takes some crazy twists in its latter half.
I can honestly say I was shocked by how good Argylle was and also totally plot-twisting. It embraces the cooky, outlandishness of spy movies in a way that is both hilarious and really unexpected. The first hour of the film is nothing like its second half, but they flow into each other thanks to its exceptional cast, which includes John Cena as Wyatt, Ariana Debose as Kira, and Samuel L. Jackson as Alfie. All of them, flowing between the fantasy and reality of Elle´s literary mind, and her own question as to why she ¨knows¨ so much.
From memorable, action sequences that will leave you talking to an overall energy of undeniable fun, Argylle is one of the first films of 2024 that feels worth the cinematic experience. To be frank, I cannot recall the last movie that felt big and light enough to just be really entertaining. In a cinematic world that has a vacuum between serious, ïndie¨ films like, Killers of The Flower Moon or Marvel Pics, it is truly refreshing to see a good movie that drives you through and jubilant emotional ride. Argylle Comes Out in Theaters Feb 2.
