Kingsman: The Secret Service Review

Kingsman: The Secret Service is the latest of Mark Millar’s graphic novels to be taken to the big screen, following Wanted (2008) and Kick-Ass (2010). Continuing the pattern laid down by its predecessors, the most recent addition to the trio is enjoyable for both fans of Secret Service as well as those that may have never stepped foot into a comic book store. Much like Millar’s other works turned into film adaptations,  Kingsman: The Secret Service differs from its source material in many instances. For example, Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton), the film’s protagonist, isn’t the nephew of his super-spy mentor. Instead, Harry Hart (Colin Firth), known as Jack London in the novel, is a former colleague of Eggsy’s late father who sacrificed himself after Hart’s nearly-fatal mistake years ago. Firth’s character was obviously the hidden main character of the film even though we spend most of our time with Eggsy. Even though there are some key differences between the two, the true spirit of Mark Millar’s novel is still present throughout Matthew Vaughn’s on-screen depiction. Readers of the novel are in for an immediate treat once *SPOILER* Mark Hamill makes an appearance as Professor James Arnold, a nod to his unforgettable appearance in Millar’s work. *SPOILER*

There are things that the film excels in that the book couldn’t. It’s not a shot at Millar or Dave Gibbons’ work, it just comes with the restrictions of the medium. Even with the best art, you can only take combat to a c…