Argylle, new film by Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa earns critical acclaim

Argylle, new film by Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa earns critical acclaim, Directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Bryce Dallas Howard, this spy installment is the first blockbuster of the year.

By Megan Sauer

“The bigger the lie, the greater the spy,” is the motto of Argylle: Secret Agent. Matthew Vaughn’s new film with Henry Cavill and Dua Lipa hits theaters on February 1.

An action-comedy extravaganza, the project, which will later become an Apple TV Plus exclusive, already has critical scores and this is said of the feature film.

The writer of spy novels, Ellie Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), has promised her fans that the fifth book of Argylle, the fictional agent who stars in them and is played by Henry Cavill, will be released soon.

Afflicted with a creative block, her life is turned upside down when Aiden (Sam Rockwell), a real-life spy, reveals to her that a criminal group is after her because her texts have accidentally revealed them to the world.

If the plot sounds a bit convoluted, it’s because Vaughn has deliberately set out to play with, and parody, spy movie clichés.

You can expect very clever twists and others that are merely satire of the genre. But one way or another, if this type of film is among your favorites you will surely find Argylle, at least, entertaining.

The first reviews reveal that, although there is an intention to parody the genre, the craziest humor does not always land in the best way. Some responded better than others to the work in general.

But the point of positive consensus revolves around the cast, an element that allows it to better absorb the impact of its constant surprises and changes in tone. It will be up to the public to see whether or not they overcome their patience.

On the negative points, the visual effects are the ones that bear the brunt. In particular, the digital images of Ellie’s feline companion and some moments of action left a bad taste in the mouth.

It is with these conflicting opinions that Argylle: Secret Agent debuts with a divided score.

What do critics say about the movie Argylle?

Without further ado, we leave you below the reviews of Argylle. The premiere is February 1, only in theaters. Expect the title, later in the year, on Apple TV Plus.

Here you can read them:

Collider
“Vaughn remains steadfast in his belief that movies should sometimes be fun, and this movie is incredibly fun. Whether you laugh at the pancake jokes, giggle at the Cats & Dogs-level feline CGI, or snort at the figure skating sequence, you’ll have a great time with Argylle.”

Deadline
“The fact that it works is due to a brilliant cast who signed up for crazy plot detours and managed to keep it all together. Howard is the main character and you can see why she was drawn to the role that allows her to show many colors, from a sly author to a damsel in distress to someone who may keep a dark secret.”

Den of Geek
“It feels less like a spy comedy and more like an echo of a better film, one that leans toward an out-of-reach auteur comedy… not only does the film lose the humor and pathos that might arise of the difference between the two worlds, but it makes the entire action and plot feel familiar.”

The Hollywood Reporter
“It may mark a new low, with jokes struggling to land; a toned-down runtime that tests patience; cartoonish, stylized violence that is, almost literally, little more than smoke and mirrors; Apple’s product placement is overly aggressive, almost like an assault…”

IGN Spain
“Matthew Vaughn’s new film mixes suspense with humor, bordering on parody in the spy genre. And it does so in a casual and playful way with absurd scenes and a spectacular cast headed by Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell. A highly recommended film to have a good time.”

The Prague Reporter
“He exists in a world between James Bond and Austin Powers: he never takes himself seriously, but he doesn’t make jokes either.The result is happy and fun, but in an artificial way; If the filmmakers and even the characters in the film don’t seem to approach the narrative with any sense of gravity, the audience won’t either.”

Discussing Film
“Some of the twists in Argylle work, but others cause too many complications, resulting in a convoluted plot that makes it difficult to pin down a linear, plausible timeline within the narrative.

This creates a tendency to fall into a slow pace due to the sheer amount of exposition, making Argylle feel longer than it already is.”

Roger Ebert
“It had the potential to be a great parody. Unfortunately, she seems to tire of being the butt of the joke before she can deliver the punchline.

But in trying to avoid becoming a joke, going out of his way to connect this film to the Kingsman franchise, Vaughn imbues the film with his anonymity, making it simply forgettable.”