Review by John Delia
If you thought the other two The King’s Man movies were good, it’s time to see the prequel. The film will make your head spin, not only because it’s in 4K home entertainment, but the action is relentless and during it we get to know how the special ops unit all began. Amazing cinematography, special effects and action throughout should blow you away, even in your living room. Some might have said that this prequel should not have been make, but that said this origin story works just as well a standalone. If you want thrills, interesting historical drama and non-stop adventure this film is your cup of British Tea.
World War I has reared its ugly head and some of the worst of enemies have come to the forefront. Threatening to take over the world are the likes of Russia’s vicious Grigori Rasputin (Rhys Ifans) and The Shepherd (Matthew Goode). both positioning to destroy most of civilization. In the meantime, Orlando Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) has finally recovered from his wife’s death and has raised his son Conrad Oxford (Harris Dickinson) on his own this past 12 years.
Over the years Orlando has recruited his housekeeper Polly (Gemma Arterton) and his butler Shola (Djimon Hounsou) as part of his spy network he calls the Kingsmen. When Orlando’s former military commander Lord Kitchener (Charles Dance) calls him to protect Sarajevo’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand, he accepts. So begins a cat and mouse thriller that will take Orlando and his spies into incredible danger.
Director and screenplay writer Matthew Vaughn does a terrific job of bringing all the exciting fast paced action to the home screen. Based on actual WWI characters including Woodrow Wilson, Grigori Rasputin, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Mata Hari, Tsar Nicholas of Russia, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, The Romanovs, and King George V to name a few, the film becomes a history lesson while creating the thriller. His depiction of the war scene at the Western Front during WWI is chilling and shocking with the British fighting in the trenches and mud overlooking No-Man’s Land.
BONUS FEATURES:
THE KING’S MAN: THE GREAT GAME BEGINS DOCUMENTARY:
“A Generation Lost” – Discover how the filmmakers created a richly textured story that explores the origins of the Kingsman spy organization.
Oxfords and Rogues – Meet the phenomenal new cast of characters Matthew Vaughn has assembled.
“All the World’s a Stage” – Delve into the meticulous world-building of THE KING’S MAN with interviews, on-location footage, artwork, and details of on-set construction and design.
“Instruments of War” – Experience the analog spy tech and early 20th century weaponry utilized in THE KING’S MAN and see a breakdown of the precise execution and evolution of the major stunts and combat in the film.
“Fortune Favors the Bold” – Join Matthew Vaughn and his team for music scoring and sound design.
“Long Live the Kingsman” – Cast and crew reveal their thoughts about their collective journey through the very special experience of making THE KING’S MAN.
FEATURETTES:
“No Man’s Land” – Experience the creative process behind the harrowing knife battle sequence in several stages: rehearsals, storyboards, interviews and on-set footage, culminating with the atmospheric VFX.
“Remembrance and Finding Purpose” – Learn about amazing organizations such as The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, two U.K.-based resources for recovery, well-being and employment for military veterans. Also hear why Matthew Vaughn strongly supports their mission.
The King’s Man has been rated R by the MPAA for sequences of strong/bloody violence, language, and some sexual material. My rating for the thrill fan target audience is 4 out of 5 Stars. In addition to the release of this film on 4K home video, there is a release of this film and Kingsman “The Secret Service” and “The Golden Circle” in a three film set.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, Charles Dance
Directed and screenplay by: Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for sequences of strong/bloody violence, language, and some sexual material
Running Time: 2 hrs. 11 min.
Video Release Date: February 22, 2022
Language: English
Reviewed Format: 4K Digital
Audio: Dolby Digital 7.1 or 5.1
Video: Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Distributed by: Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
Released on: 4K UHD, HD, SD, Digital Code