The secret to enjoying spy movies is to view them with the same enthusiasm and disbelief as one would with superhero films.
Indeed, the secret agents portrayed in films resemble comic book characters, minus the cape, mask, and tight-fitting spandex suit.
Thanks to James Bond, viewers have long held the image of spies and secret agents as dashing, cool under pressure, and cunning; perpetually poised, with impeccably groomed hair, even after a thrilling chase.
What if spies defy those preconceived notions, appearing and behaving in stark contrast to our perceptions?
This seems to be the context of the spy action-comedy film, Argylle.
And when it comes to passion for the spy film genre, it's hard to find someone more enamored than English filmmaker Matthew Vaughn.
Matthew's Argylle follows in the footsteps of his previous works, namely, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and The King's Man.
ARGYLLE: SYNOPSIS
Argylle establishes the film's narrative by introducing Agent Argylle (Henry Cavill) who is on a mission in Greece, where he meets LaGrange or Agent 10566 (Dua Lipa) in a club.
Interestingly, Agent Argylle's exploits are found in the books written by mystery-thriller author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard).
Things get interesting, and confusing at first, with the entry of a shoddy stranger named Aidan (Sam Rockwell), who introduces himself to Elly during a train ride.
From this point onward, the story transforms into a roller coaster ride, unveiling plots and an endless stream of twists one after another.
At the center of all the chaos is Elly and her books that are of interest to a supposedly sophisticated criminal network dubbed the Division.
But what does Elly have to do with the ruckus? And what's with her past that plays a critical role in the entire conflict?
Being an action-comedy film, Argylle takes great liberty in incorporating over-the-top moments for laughs and thrills that work and falter at times.
Moments such as the dance scenes between Elly and Aidan, Elly strutting her skating moves on the ground covered with spilled oil, and the fictional Agent Argylle appearing out of nowhere before Elly can be simultaneously hilarious and awkward.
The same can be said about its plot.
Kudos to Matthew and screenwriter Jason Fuchs for keeping the narrative unpredictable enough to make one feel like a detective figuring out what happens next.
On the contrary, the plot twists at times feel convoluted, seemingly inserted solely to propel the storyline and maintain suspense.
With that said, Argylle fully embraces the spy-action genre, infusing it with its own unique quirks to deliver a narrative that, while derivative, still manages to feel refreshingly unique, especially to viewers unfamiliar with Matthew's past works.
There are moments when the plot appears to lose focus, teetering on the edge of collapse, but it ultimately regains its footing, albeit wobbly at times, as the narrative and action sequences unfold.
BEYOND THE SURFACE
Throughout the film, the recurring line "The greater the spy, the bigger the lie" serves as a stark reminder of the deceptive nature inherent in the world of espionage.
But it may also be a subtle exploration of stereotypes, reminding viewers that outward appearances and preconceptions often fail to capture reality.
Aidan, for example, falls severely short of the suave image Elly had in mind of an undercover agent as portrayed in her books. But Aidan plays the part, nonetheless.
Depending on one's level of devotion to spy action movies, Argylle possesses both allure and flaws that stir mixed reactions.
It could be argued that its comedic tendencies afford it the freedom to embrace absurdity without descending into a parody of James Bond, The Bourne Identity, or even Mission: Impossible.
Some, however, may find this overblown and cheesy, thus making the film nothing more but a spoof of movies that came before it.
For all its complexities, Argylle's muddled narrative still delivers a good, entertaining punch, especially for fans of off-kilter mystery-spy tales.
Argylle is now showing in cinemas nationwide.