Film Review: ‘Argylle’ is Diminishing Action/Comedy Returns From Matthew Vaughn

I went into Argylle expecting to have a lot of fun. After all, I love Matthew Vaughn‘s Kick-Ass, as well as really enjoyed Kingsman: The Secret Service and its sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle. These are action/comedy hybrids with an ability to work on both levels. So, going the giant blockbuster route here with Argylle seems like another high-concept hit, as well as a potential new franchise for Vaughn. Sadly, nothing here fully works, and while it’s never awful, it trudges along in a way that just doesn’t provide much fun at all.

Argylle wants to be a bit more family friendly, but in toning down the edge that Vaughn is so good at, the flick ends up being dull. Along with a very bloated running time, as well as a spy-heavy script that doesn’t make much sense, you end up focusing on all of the wrong things. Plus, there’s just not nearly as much charm and quirk as the premise seems to suggest. Hence, the almost all-encompassing disappointment here.

The introduction of the film brings us into the world of secret agent Argylle (Henry Cavill), a smooth globe trotting spy. It’s revealed that his latest mission, to unravel the workings of a global spy syndicate, are actually part of the plot of the latest book by author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard). A reclusive novelist, Elly carefully researches her espionage tales by day on her computer, while staying at home during the nights with her cat, Alfie. Unbeknownst to her, however, the plots in her series have begun to mirror the actions of a real-life covert spy organization, which puts her life in danger.

All of a sudden, Elly and Alfie are being accompanied by real-life spy Aiden (Sam Rockwell) on an international mission to figure out just what the bad spies are after her for. As they galavant around, Elly begins to doubt what exactly is happening, while often mistaking Aiden for her creation Argylle. I won’t say more about the back end of the movie, but it gets pretty ridiculous, even given what’s come before.

Watching this cast, with this sort of material, you just kind of expect more. Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell are having fun, but they’re given some tough dialogue to make work. They have okay chemistry, but sparks never fly. Henry Cavill has very little to do, but at least he does look the part of a prototypical super spy. Supporting players include Sofia Boutella, John Cena, Bryan Cranston, Ariana DeBose, Rob Delaney, Richard E. Grant, Samuel L. Jackson, Dua Lipa, Catherine O’Hara, and more.

Director Matthew Vaughn and writer Jason Fuchs are far too pleased with themselves here. Unfortunately, the jokes don’t really land, the action sequences are generic, and things run almost a full hour longer than necessary. Throw in a couple of wild twists that don’t particular work, yet just result in tons more exposition, and you have something that’s a mess. Worse still, it’s not a fun mess, but pretty much just a long and bland slog.

Argylle really let me down. The film is trying too hard, way too bloated, and just not much fun. This should have been a blast. Hell, Vaughn has shown us he can do this with the likes of the Kick-Ass and Kingsman properties. Unfortunately, bigger isn’t better here, and with a tame PG-13 rating, it just all feels hollow. Color me disappointed.

SCORE: ★★