Clash of the Critics: Two Reviews, One Movie – ‘KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE’

Preston Barta & Cole Clay // Film Critics

If you’re one that prefers spy gadgets to sadistic toys, Matthew Vaughn’s KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE may be the movie for you this weekend.

Film Critics Cole Clay and Preston Barta are on opposite ends with their thoughts on the latest spy goof-fest. Here are their reviews. See which side you lean on.

Movie Review: KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE is Nothing More Than a Court Jester – by Cole Clay

Movie Review: Why KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE is Quality Counter-Programming for the Fellas This V-Day – by Preston Barta

Preston Barta

I have been working as a film journalist since 2010, dividing the first four years between radio broadcasting and entertainment writing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In 2014, I entered Fresh Fiction (FreshFiction.tv) as the features editor. The following year, I stepped into the film critic position at the Denton Record-Chronicle, a daily North Texas print publication. My time is dedicated to writing theatrical film reviews, at-home entertainment columns, and conducting interviews with on-screen talent and filmmakers, as well as hosting a podcast devoted to genre filmmaking (called My Bloody Podcast). I've been married for ten happy years, and I have one son who is all about dinosaurs just like his dad.