‘Argylle’ an exceptionally entertaining throwback
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While they might not rank up there with other blockbusters, new releases "Argylle" and "Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown" are certainly worth the price of admission.
"Argylle," rated PG-13, was directed and produced by Matthew Vaughn, whose credits as producer include "Kick-Ass" (2010), "X-Men: First Class" (2011), "Kingsman: The Secret Service" (2014) and its sequel "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" (2017) and directed its prequel "The King's Man" (2021). It was written by Jason Fuchs, best known for writing "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (2012), "Pan" (2015) and "Wonder Woman" (2017).
"Argylle" is a spy action comedy that features an ensemble cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson.
The plot focuses on Elly Conway (Howard), the reclusive author of a series of best-selling espionage novels whose idea of bliss is a night at home with her computer and beloved cat, Alfie. Conway's fictional books, which center on secret agent Argylle and his mission to unravel a global spy syndicate, begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization.
Accompanied by Aiden (Rockwell), a cat-allergic spy, Conway (carrying Alfie in her backpack) races around the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between her fictional writing and reality begins to blur.
"Argylle" has been in the works for some time. Apple TV+ bought its rights for $200 million in August 2021. Vaughn said the pandemic gave him time to work on the film. He used the time wisely and describes "Argylle" as his ode to 1980s action thrillers like "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon."
Cavill plays the James Bond-type character Argylle perfectly. The former Superman plays the larger-than-life action hero with a wink.
Rockwell is exceptionally entertaining in this fun, slick, wild ride that runs just a tad long and is loaded with excessive ambitious twists. Critics call "Argylle" a bit of a throwback. For me, there are glimpses of the "Austin Powers" films, starring Mike Myers. Do I hear a "Yeah, Baby!"?
Ironically, "Argylle" - like "Austin Powers" - will become a trilogy of films. Vaughn has stated that the second installment will explore the origins of how Argylle became a spy, while the third will follow the additional installments of the book series.
The first "Argylle" offers the perfect blend of action, comedy, music and espionage. Dua Lipa also provides original music for the title track and score.
Social media posts theorize that singer-songwriter Taylor Swift had authored the book with Conway as her pen name. While Vaughn denied the theory, Swift did influence the use of a Scottish Fold cat in the film. Howard also opined that "Argylle" is "unconsciously inspired" by Swift. If this is proven, Swifties might flock to theaters and certainly give this flick an unexpected windfall. Grade: B+
Jungle Bunch:
Operation Meltdown (PG)
When a mysterious toxic foam starts spreading in the jungle, there's only one team brave enough to stop it. Never fear, the Jungle Bunch is here! The team's latest adventure takes them on a journey across the world and the seven seas to discover the cure for their jungle's sickness.
Dedicated to keeping the jungle island safe, the bunch consists of: Maurice, a brave emperor penguin, who thinks he's a tiger; Junior, a Tiger barb who is Maurice's adopted son; Miguel, a dimwitted blue gorilla; Batricia, a female fruit bat; Gilbert, a neurotic brown tarsier; Al, a thin orange frog; Bob, an overweight green cane toad; and Fred, a singing warthog.
Directed by Laurent Bry, Yannick Moulin and Benoit Somville with voices by Wyatt Bowen, Holly Gauthier-Frankel and Arthur Holden, "Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown" feels a cross between "Madagascar" and "Angry Birds."
It's a snappy, fun-filled adventure which is enjoyably silly, the film moves at a brisk pace and keeps the laughs firing fast enough to keep kids from getting too restless.
The original "Jungle Bunch," released in 2017 didn't fare well, and it's hard to imagine this follow-up will fare much better. Grade: C-
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Greg Williams is a reporter and Weekend Editor for The Sentinel. A Mifflin County native, he has been writing for The Sentinel since 1991. His column, "Virtually Home," appears regularly.