Argylle should be an epic spy adventure that grabs you by the lapels and refuses to let go. It should be Matthew Vaughn in full force with elements of The Gentleman thrown in alongside flashes of Layer Cake. It should take the concept of Kingsman and throw caution to the wind, creating a sophisticated James Bond pastiche with lashing of stylish storytelling. With the likes of Henry Cavill (The Witcher), Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and Samuel L. Jackson (The Marvel Cinematic Universe) onboard, alongside Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World Dominion) this really should be a no-brainer for audiences who love the genre.
Unfortunately, Argylle comes across as patchy with flashy cameos and is also let down by mediocre visual effects. Oddly enough, it also has trouble balancing any action sequences with the all-important character moments. On every level Argylle suffers from an abundance of style over substance, as this star-studded ensemble cast gets sidelined into extended cameos. Dallas Howard and Rockwell might come out of it unscathed as author Elly Conway and Aidan Wilde, but Argylle rarely delivers anything exceptional despite the top tier talent on screen.
As it bounces between slapstick fight scenes, slow motion choreography and left field plot twists there are a few saving graces. Cavill is the epitome of cool as Agent Argylle, while Rockwell gives another charisma packed performance opposite Dallas Howard as an on the run best-selling author. However, it is almost impossible to believe that this Apple original film cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Aside from the talent, there is no way this old-fashioned spy caper racked up that sort of budget without any evidence of it coming on screen.
Cut aways to Southern France, sun-drenched segues to open water rendezvouses, and action-packed escapes from high-speed trains was never going to make the grade. At best Argylle can be described as knock about fun, which for 200 million dollars seems like a weak superlative to be bandying about. Other issues include a bloated running time that sails past two hours and keeps going without consideration for anyone else.
With the greatest respect, Argylle could have lost half an hour since several subplots slow things down, drama drifts towards indifference, and this cast ends up with little to do. There is an overwhelming sense of disappointment that hampers the whole experience, as everyone involved feels wasted. Jon Cena and Dua Lipa barely register, Brian Cranston is hamstrung by a flimsy stereotype, and it all feels far too predictable. A fact that sadly relegates Argylle to Sunday matinee status as audiences are certain to lose interest.
Argylle is available to stream on AppleTV now.
