Argylle

7.5/10

In this new movie from Matthew Vaughn (director of the Kingsman films), Elly Conway (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) is the author of a successful series of novels about a spy named Argylle. Her books predict real world events which puts her in the sights of a secret organization and ends up having to go on the run with her cat and a spy named Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell).

Since this is a Vaughn spy film, we get his love for fun 60's/70's spy stories. There are decent moments of humor. This is PG-13, so Vaughn can't get as crazy as he did for the Kingsman films, but he still delivers some creative action. The final fight really is something. Visually, Vaughn's still got that colorful flair he's known for.

The biggest issue is definitely that the movie didn't need to be 2 hours and 19 minutes. You can feel it in the first two acts. Howard and Rockwell work well off of each other, but there is way too much time spent on them talking and arguing. However, once we get to the third act and secrets are revealed, everything flows a lot more smoothly. The trailer advertised that there is a big secret. To be honest, it's not a Sixth Sense level reveal, but it's well played, especially one part.

Howard was good casting. Her Elly is naturally likable, and she has this way with her facial expressions. Catherine O'Hara is Elly's mother. The actress is always good, but I got to say that this might be one of her best performances. 

Bryan Cranston is the main villain. He's not bad (definitely determined, I'll give you that), but he is marred a little by an accent or voice choice that's a bit hard to pinpoint and the character itself could've been stronger. I've realized that an Achilles Heel of Vaughn's is that his villains can have the tendency to be a bit broad. The West Side Story remake's Ariana DeBose is in this as a character in the Argylle novels and she is poorly utilized. Her character could've been easily cut. 

Recommended. This could've been a leaner, stronger piece, but it's still fairly entertaining, and I do love the finale.