What a complete shambles. You can grasp its potential in fleeting moments of brilliance, yet they're strung together by a concoction of the most foreseeable and ludicrous plot twists. It's the kind of superficial charm that quickly loses its allure because you can predict its every move, even if the reasons behind those actions remain obscure. While there are commendable performances keeping it afloat, the true essence should be in its action and entertainment, both of which felt sorely lacking.
The primary issue lies in the sprawling ensemble cast, where the film leaves just one narrow path open for each subsequent twist. With a stark contrast between real and fictional characters, every plot turn becomes painfully predictable, as there are only a handful of flesh-and-blood personas to consider. When they tease the revelation of her father's identity, lo and behold, it turns out to be the only other mature male character in the film. And as the time comes to unmask Agent Argylle, shockingly, it's none other than the protagonist themselves! Perhaps my recent dive into "Citadel" on Prime didn't help matters, given its striking resemblance to this narrative, albeit with Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville in place of Jackson and Cranston.
The fictional aspect struggles to seamlessly integrate, particularly disappointing given its origins in the "twisted mind of Matthew Vaughn". Cena and Cavill are confined, deprived of the space to showcase their flair, especially Cena, who excels in roles demanding charisma. There's a distinct lack of genuine violence, which, initially, seemed like a self-aware nod to the mediocre in-universe writing. However, it soon becomes apparent that this restraint is more indicative of the film's own limitations. Considering the intricate dynamics between BDH and Rockwell, a Cena/Cavill kiss could have added a much-needed spark, potentially elevating it to my top pick for the year.
Perhaps there's an excess of untapped potential here, entrusted to a director who previously mishandled another spy franchise. Despite the forewarning from lukewarm reviews, I still found myself repeatedly disappointed. It's a romanticized riff on the Jason Bourne archetype, yet the action lacks the visceral impact to be genuinely intense, and its visual appeal falls short of masking its inherent absurdity. I longed to experience the intended emotional resonance during pivotal scenes like the oil skate or the smoke bomb, but these were merely two peaks in a landscape of six, elongating the third act unnecessarily to accommodate a few more predictable plot twists.
The editing is an absolute disaster, rife with sloppy ADR and shots that leave you questioning whether it's the lead actor or a stand-in wearing a wig. It's a textbook example of a star-studded film rushing to release before March, and despite my fervent admiration for Bryce Dallas Howard, it failed to salvage the experience. 4/10.
The primary issue lies in the sprawling ensemble cast, where the film leaves just one narrow path open for each subsequent twist. With a stark contrast between real and fictional characters, every plot turn becomes painfully predictable, as there are only a handful of flesh-and-blood personas to consider. When they tease the revelation of her father's identity, lo and behold, it turns out to be the only other mature male character in the film. And as the time comes to unmask Agent Argylle, shockingly, it's none other than the protagonist themselves! Perhaps my recent dive into "Citadel" on Prime didn't help matters, given its striking resemblance to this narrative, albeit with Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville in place of Jackson and Cranston.
The fictional aspect struggles to seamlessly integrate, particularly disappointing given its origins in the "twisted mind of Matthew Vaughn". Cena and Cavill are confined, deprived of the space to showcase their flair, especially Cena, who excels in roles demanding charisma. There's a distinct lack of genuine violence, which, initially, seemed like a self-aware nod to the mediocre in-universe writing. However, it soon becomes apparent that this restraint is more indicative of the film's own limitations. Considering the intricate dynamics between BDH and Rockwell, a Cena/Cavill kiss could have added a much-needed spark, potentially elevating it to my top pick for the year.
Perhaps there's an excess of untapped potential here, entrusted to a director who previously mishandled another spy franchise. Despite the forewarning from lukewarm reviews, I still found myself repeatedly disappointed. It's a romanticized riff on the Jason Bourne archetype, yet the action lacks the visceral impact to be genuinely intense, and its visual appeal falls short of masking its inherent absurdity. I longed to experience the intended emotional resonance during pivotal scenes like the oil skate or the smoke bomb, but these were merely two peaks in a landscape of six, elongating the third act unnecessarily to accommodate a few more predictable plot twists.
The editing is an absolute disaster, rife with sloppy ADR and shots that leave you questioning whether it's the lead actor or a stand-in wearing a wig. It's a textbook example of a star-studded film rushing to release before March, and despite my fervent admiration for Bryce Dallas Howard, it failed to salvage the experience. 4/10.
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