Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’ Hara, Dua Lipa, Samuel L. Jackson, Richard E. Grant, Ariana DeBose, Jason Fuchs, Tomás Paredes, Sofia Boutella, Jing Lusi, Tomiwa Edun, Rob Delaney, Stanley Morgan, Louis Partridge, Ben Daniels.

You may feel that you have seen the film before, and as the plot of Argylle proceeds to its end, so that reasoning can be understood; and yet and perhaps contrary to some that will have the audience doubting the groove of the tale that shares its universe with Matthew Vaughn’s other tempting franchise in its three guises of Kingsman, it actually is a fine romp that injects fun and a certain finesse to the realm of the Spy genre, but also exults a bravery of its lead actor, the resolute and open hearted Bryce Dallas Howard.

Whilst 1996’s The Long Kiss Goodnight took itself seriously, a product of the genius that resides in the mind of Shane Black, Argylle taps into the relationship between fact and fiction with a greater degree of urgency, the sense of split minds that comes from within the surrogate author is revealing, but in typical Matthew Vaughn fashion it is delivered with a shot of humour that gives the film its charm even when the watcher understands the dissonance between what is real and what is imagined.

In a film replete with a roster of stars that would make a full-scale Marvel film salivate at the prospect, and with Sam Worthington, Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’ Hara, and Dua Lipa offering superb collaboration to the progress and pace of the film, it is to Bryce Dallas Howard that the viewer’s observation and scrutiny will naturally fall too, the lead character will always have this attention and Ms. Howard does not disappoint.

Bravery is subjective, and for some who troll a person’s worth is how they appear, thankfully an inspiration to all who have a larger-than-life disposition, Ms. Howard shines with glamour, comedy timing, and sheer displays of acting chops that has carried her forward rightly and with conviction.

There is so much action to be found within the film that it feels like a juggernaut that has reached its top speed and sees the open road in front of it, the reality of the situation is that it will take a lot to displace it from rampaging across the country; if handled with care by the fans and dismisses those with axes to grind.

A film of assured encouragement, it is a muse in waiting, a creative thrill which knows it is not to be taken too seriously, but which still has an enormous heart and enjoyment, and enough thrills to keep anyone happy enough to be lost between the thin veneer of worlds in fact and fiction.

Ian D. Hall