Matthew Vaughn’s latest film, Argylle, is not based on any pre-existing intellectual property. With an estimated budget of around $200 million, the movie is a rare sighting in the current context, where most big-budget films tie into an existing storyline or cinematic universe. However, Argylle’s uniqueness has been capitalized on in its marketing, presenting it as a mystery movie ahead of its release.
Despite rumors, Taylor Swift is not involved in the project. The movie includes a cast of notable actors and features high-octane action — reminiscent of a Mission Impossible film. Vaughn, famous for his Kingsman series, borrows elements from a range of this century’s major-action-franchise. However, this plethora of references result in an original movie that seems to piece together elements from various corners of contemporary pop culture.
The centerpiece character of Argylle is the charming Agent Argylle, played by Henry Cavill. His heavily-styled adventures fall in line with Bond-esque narrative tropes and come seasoned with Vaughn’s distinctively vibrant execution. Supporting characters include John Cena and Ariana DeBose, with Dua Lipa featuring as the antagonist.
Vaughn, known for visually striking works like Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, and X-Men: First Class, has used his flair for the comic-book aesthetic in this film as well. He incorporates a twist of self-awareness, with the exploits of Agent Argylle occurring in a best-selling book series penned by the character Elly Conway, portrayed by Bryce Dallas Howard.
In a conspicuous shift between the fantasy world and the “real” world, Elly gets targeted by spies convinced she must possess classified information — given the uncanny parallels between her stories and actual espionage. This ensnaring of Elly into a myriad of escapades propels the film’s plotline.
Criticisms emerge in the film’s failure to distinguish between fiction and reality, with both realms appearing similarly extravagant. Vaughn’s over-the-top choreography, radiant color palette, and familiar performances from seasoned actors all contribute to this blurred division.
While Argylle may not register as groundbreaking, it remains a satisfactory alternative as Hollywood recalibrates in a post-strike, post-COVID context. The film, at its heart, is an attempt to repackage familiar narrative formulas, which may prove sufficient for viewers seeking escapist action. The lengthy run-time of two hours and 19 minutes, however, might qualify as a deterrent for some.
Source: ‘Argylle’ Is More of a Marketing Plan Than a Mystery Movie}}.
