Nutshell Review: Argylle

PG Score: 6/10

Argylle was released in theaters on 2/2/24

Easily my first "most highly-anticipated movie of the year," Argylle ended up having more twists than a game of Twister, which severely weakened the overall experience. Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) has been solid throughout his career with a few mixed bags along the way. As a self-admitted nerd though, he has usually delivered a movie I enjoyed. Humorous and action-packed, the story is unfortunately what holds this movie back from being truly enjoyable. It doesn’t help that The Lost City came out last year and has a similar plot. If you ain't first, you're last, as Ricky Bobby would say. 

Up and Down Performances

Sam Rockwell (Seven Psychopaths) is a national treasure. Great in everything he does even if it appears he is just being himself, it was fun seeing him in the assassin role. Easily the best part of the film, Rockwell is a delight and I urge you to check out his other work. I have all the respect in the world for Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village). She’s a fine actress and a good director, but I just didn’t buy her as an action star. There’s a switch flipped about two thirds of the way through the film, when she goes from meek to deadly. It’s about there when the film enters the ludicrous phase. Granted, Argylle is a spy thriller/action/comedy, but my imagination can only stretch so far.

If you were looking for a lot more John Cena and Dua Lipa, you are going to be sorely disappointed. What you get in the trailer is basically all you end up getting out of those two. Henry Cavill has a slightly larger role that unfolds amusingly when he does appear off the nonfictional pages. The action was pretty nuts. There’s a fight scene on a train that is incredible and there’s one in an apartment that is just plain bad ass. One of the climactic fight scenes towards the end of the film just doesn’t quite deliver on what they were trying to do. Not a typical type of scene. I just wasn’t really into it.

Argylle: Bit of a Letdown

Perhaps it’s my fault for having such high expectations, but Argylle is the first big disappointment of the season. Sure, parts of the film are fun and, as I said earlier, Sam Rockwell truly is a treasure. But if you wait for Argylle to be on demand, you aren’t missing out on much. Serviceable and fun, but this isn’t going to stand out as something memorable at the end of the year.

PG Score: 6/10

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