Film: Argylle

 

GENRE: Action
RATING: PG-13 for strong violence and language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 19 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World; The Help; Rocketman)
Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards; Moon); Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
DIRECTOR: Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass; Kingsman; X-Men: First Class)
WRITER: Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman; Ice Age: Continental Drift)
PLOT: An author of spy novels finds herself in the middle of one of her plots as her works mirror real-words events.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Low expectations going in. Just wanted to see a film.

STORY STUFF: That was pretty messy. I was fine until about a third in when the twists get to be too much. I stopped caring at that point. There are plot points that contradict themselves including shooting oil. Also, a trigger device should have been used way sooner. This film is way too long and twisty. And how did they drive from England to France?

ACTING STUFF: Rockwell is the main reason to watch this film. He is so charismatic and fun to watch. If you come to watch Henry Cavill, you will be disappointed with his screen time. Howard is okay but I’m not a huge fan of her acting. I did enjoy her switching out high heels which I hope was a nod to Jurassic World. Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara and John Cena are fun. Samuel L. Jackson isn’t given much to do.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: The overly CG’d action sequences are par for the course for Vaughn’s films. There’s a colourful gun fight that is over-the-top silly and semi-enjoyable. I found it confusing that they used a 2023 Beatles song (Now and Then) as the couple’s song from at least four years ago. That song didn’t exist back then.        

VERDICT: Two stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You’re bored?
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Dune, Part 2