The King’s Man
The King's Man , a precursor to the Kingsman espionage series , explores the beginnings of the clandestine intelligence organization in the midst of the political unrest of the early 20th century and changes the tone of the series toward historical action drama. The picture, which was directed by Matthew Vaughn and distributed by 20th Century Studios , combines stylized action with actual historical people and events to give the narrative a more somber and grounded feel than its predecessors. As the Duke of Oxford, Ralph Fiennes gives a powerful portrayal as a torn father who is fighting to shield his son from the atrocities of war but is inexorably drawn into violence and espionage. The film's tonal transitions between comedy, war drama, and extravagant action can occasionally feel erratic, despite its amazing choreography and exciting set pieces. The pacing feels erratic because some humorous parts conflict with the more serious themes of political influence and loss. Stil...