Director Matthew Vaughn revitalized the spy-genre with the Kingsman franchise. Those films offered a different take on the typical James Bond-esque espionage story. The films were more brutal and bloody, reinvigorating the genre for audiences. After three Kingsman films, Vaughn returns to the genre through Argylle, a new spy adventure. The story follows author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), the writer of the beloved Argylle spy novel series. Elle gets sucked into her own world of espionage when her book leads into a real spy plot. She learns that fact via Aiden (Sam Rockwell) who informs her of the bigger picture. What follows is a rollicking, fast-paced spy adventure.
Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway in ARGYLLE, directed by Matthew Vaughn. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures; Apple Original Films; and MARV.
The biggest strength of Argylle resides in its three central performances. Bryce Dallas Howard (Rocketman) delivers a real innocence in the titular role of Elly. Her mild mannered personality helps make her an engaging audience conduit. The problem is that she starts the film as a rather bland antagonist. Once Sam Rockwell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Mr. Right) enters the equation, Howard starts to show more depth. Rockwell strolls onto the screen, adding a very funny energy combined with a movie star swagger. From his first scene on a train, he exudes an essence akin to The Dude from The Big Lebowski. His laid back spy-persona serves as an interesting counterbalance to Henry Cavill’s (Stardust; The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) character.
L-R: Argylle (Henry Cavill), Lagrange (Dua Lipa) and Wyatt (John Cena) in ARGYLLE, directed by Matthew Vaughn. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures; Apple Original Films; and MARV.
Cavill stars as the titular book-hero himself, Argylle. Those who have clamored for him to play James Bond should look no further. Even as a fictional (in movie) character, Cavill delivers a Bond-like charm. Equal parts brutal killer, ladies’ man, and teammate, he remains thoroughly engaging to watch. Besides getting to play a James Bond-like character, Cavill gets to have a more emotional center. Being Elly’s creation, there are moments where Argylle serves as her inner conscience. He helps Elly essentially survive the long journey ahead, helping to engage audiences in the process. Such a lively performance makes some other performances lose narrative steam.
L-R: Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Aidan (Sam Rockwell) in ARGYLLE, directed by Matthew Vaughn. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures; Apple Original Films; and MARV.
Actors like Bryan Cranston (Drive) and Catherine O’Hara (Beetlejuice) make the most of their screen time. They deliver more scenery chewing performances than meets the eye. To say any more about their characters would be to spoil some of the film’s biggest twists. Unfortunately, besides those performers, the rest of the supporting cast gets much less to do. The roles of capable actors like John Cena (Barbie), Ariana DeBose (Wish), and Samuel L. Jackson (The Marvels) could be considered glorified cameos. While efficient in their minor roles, they are never given a chance to showcase their individual acting strengths. This stems from a cliched and convoluted screenplay.
Ariana DeBose as Keira in ARGYLLE, directed by Matthew Vaughn. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures; Apple Original Films; and MARV.
Big-budget spy movies are usually never known for their intricate structures. Instead, they are known for their characters and action-heavy set pieces. When Argylle stops to move the plot forward, it becomes significantly less interesting. Even with capable actors in the supporting cast, they never make the cliched moments pop. They deliver some exciting action sequences that, in some places, falter with lackluster visual effects which, as more twists begin to unfurl, is where the movie could lose viewers. This starts with certain character twists that, in the beginning, seemed relatively harmless. It’s once the cacophonous third act begins that some viewers could lose interest.
Ritter (Bryan Cranston) and Alfie the Cat (Chip) in ARGYLLE, directed by Matthew Vaughn. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures; Apple Original Films; and MARV.
Argylle’s finale gets into a realm of silly surrealism that will not work for everyone. The film reaches a level of fantastical that could make or break your viewing experience. Your likelihood may vary, but the level of zaniness remains undeniable and is ambitious. For myself, that zaniness helped deliver an overall very entertaining experience. The cast themselves are game for the strange choices, delivering a variation on the typical spy film. Whereas those stranger narrative choices could severely lessen the impact for others. Regardless, for the year’s first big blockbuster, the mere spectacle of it all makes for an enjoyable experience.
In theaters February 2nd, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Universal Pictures Argylle website.
Final Score: 3 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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