Kingsman: The Secret Service, spy thrillers with cynicism

Kingsman: The Secret Service was a pleasant surprise when it hit theaters in 2015. Director Matthew Vaughn injected new life into the hackneyed espionage genre with this smart and ruthless R-rated comic book thriller brought to life.

Led by a stellar performance from Colin Firth as gentleman spy Harry Hart and the introduction of charming new recruit Taron Egerton as Eggsy Unwin, Kingsman gleefully pokes fun at the links with boundary-pushing action and a witty script that sizzles with profane period jokes.

Vaughn stages each globe-trotting scenario with exuberant vigor and witty sleight of hand. From a church brawl to an explosive finale, the kinetic fights are visceral kinetic poetry worth beholding.

But Kingsman stands out most of all for the fiery chemistry of its cast, especially the diamond in the rough of Firth and Egerton. Their performances endowed this stylish thriller with infectious heart and sensory delight.

Though some criticized its cynicism, Kingsman struck me as a welcome antidote that brings youthful joy back to sterile genres. Every frame oozes craft and audacity, suggesting that a bold new franchise has arrived.

Vaughn has since proven that Kingsman is no fluke, but his enthusiasm for action classics shines brightest here. Cult status is assured for its fast-paced pleasures and subversive wit that serves up fresh, hot revenge. A modern classic:

Kingsman: The Secret Service was critically acclaimed but received surprisingly few awards, though it was but the beginning of the franchise's legacy:

Mark Strong received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his deliciously wicked performance as Valentine.

Technically, the film was superb, deserving mentions for its production design and costumes, which transported audiences back to the 1960s.

At the box office, Kingsman was a worldwide hit, grossing $414 million on a budget of $81 million, proving that R-rated spy thrillers with brilliant action and humor had untapped appeal.