ARGYLLE (2024) REVIEW

 

In the wacky world of espionage, "Argylle" dives headfirst into a pool of action-packed absurdity, but forgets its swimming trunks on the edge. Director Matthew Vaughn kicks off the shenanigans with a cheeky wink as Agent Argylle (Henry Cavill) struts into a Greek-themed club, only to tango with a glittering LaGrange (Dua Lipa) amid a storm of bullets. Their banter? About as thrilling as a soggy sandwich—complete with Cavill's eye-catching high-top haircut stealing the scene.

Jason Fuchs' script, armed with more twists than a rollercoaster, sees author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) caught in her own spy novel come to life. As Elly's ink-stained fingers grapple with writer's block, a chance encounter with a scruffy stranger named Aidan (Sam Rockwell) sends her reality spinning faster than a rogue Ferris wheel. Suddenly, Elly's fiction feels eerily like fact, setting off a wild goose chase tangled in espionage and clandestine missions.

For a while, "Argylle" struts its stuff, poking fun at the likes of "National Treasure" and "The Bourne Identity" with a mischievous grin. But then, like a bad spy tip, it loses its way in a maze of clichés and convoluted plot twists. Stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Richard E. Grant find themselves lost in the shuffle, trapped in thankless roles like sardines in a can.

Sure, there are moments of joy—Catherine O'Hara channels her inner Marlene Dietrich, and Bryan Cranston adds a dash of spice to a bland character. But as the film barrels towards its climax, Vaughn seems as lost as a cat in a dog park. Attempts at quirky action fall flat, leaving viewers scratching their heads instead of ducking for cover.

"Argylle" had all the makings of a sharp parody, but somewhere along the way, it lost its sense of direction. In trying to tie itself to the Kingsman franchise, it ends up feeling more like a half-baked imitation than a clever homage. As the dust settles on this forgettable flick, one thing's clear: Sometimes, the best stories are the ones left on the cutting room floor.