THE KING'S MAN

Serving as a prequel to the KINGSMAN franchise, THE KING'S MAN tells the story of the formation of the organization through Orlando Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) and his son Conrad Oxford. Orlando, having lost his wife and Conrad his mother early in the film, Orlando makes her a promise to watch after their son and to keep him safe. Orlando's a former military man and young Conrad has aspirations of serving his country as well; however, his father rebuffs those overtures whenever the subject is broached, which during the first quarter/half of the film, is rather extensively. No longer requiring his father's permission when he comes of age, Conrad enlists as the first World War begins. To keep his son as safe as possible, Orlando uses the agency to end the war quickly and keep his son out of harms way. I'm sorry to say but the KINGSMAN franchise ran it's course upon its introduction. The sequel was an atrocious mess and this wasn't very far behind. Action scenes that make one yawn, Fieness seemingly channeling more of his inner M than anything fresh, and with a plot were millions of lives are at stake can still feel boring and uncommitted. The constant whining from Conrad during a good portion of the film at his father's insistence he not enlist doesn't help the film's case. Avoid this one. 4/10