“Kingsman: The Secret Service,” this week's offering at The Harbor Theatre, is one hell of a clever spoof, or homage, to the cinematic and television-based world of spies and espionage. References to James Bond films and TV shows, such as “The Avengers,” “Get Smart,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Prisoner,” and others abound.

The film is directed by Matthew Vaughn, of “X-Men” fame, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman. Vaughn also co-wrote the paperback/original version of the adventure called, “The Secret Service Kingsman,” with Mark Millar.

This fast-paced blast into the intriguing world of espionage, where sharply dressed men carry fountain pens that explode, wear shoes with poison dagger tips, and carry umbrellas that repel much more than water, will keep you entertained.

The “Kingsman” is an independent intelligence agency whose agents are all namesakes of the Knights of the Round Table. At the head of that table sits Arthur (naturally), played by Michael Caine and Merlin by Mark Strong.

There are two plot lines in the film: Harry Hart - code name Galahad - (Colin Firth), takes it upon himself to groom Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton) to replace Kingsman Lancelot, Eggsy's father, who saved Harry's life on a mission in the Middle East in 1997.

Eggsy was about 4 or 5 back then. Fast forward 20 years, Eggsy, despite good grades, dropped out of school and the Marines. His mother has taken up company with a local bad ass and has his child, a little girl (there's a kid who'll need counseling); Eggsy has become a thief and commits petty crimes like car theft.

When Harry Hart comes to see Eggsy and his mom after his father's death he tries to leave a Kingsman pendant with her – in case she ever needs help. She refuses it because she really wants her husband back, but little tyke Eggsy is given it instead.

After stealing a car – to tick off a member of one of the local gangs – Eggsy is facing 18 months in jail. And then, sitting in the police station he remembers his equivalent of a “get out of jail free card” around his neck and calls the number on the back.

Hart meets him outside the PD and the “spyventure” begins!

But, what would a spy flick be without a villian? Boring is what.

Enter the billionaire Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), has been obsessed with saving the planet and halting global warming. When Valentine, and his sidekick, the deadly Gazelle (Sophia Boutella) whose leg prosthetics become lethal swords in a fight, discover its too late for the planet to be saved, he comes up with an alternate plan: kill off a vast majority of the population.

How he plans to do this will have to be experienced by going to see the film.

The special effects and stunt work create moments of awe.

One word of warning: this film is not just all camp and fun, there is a lot of killing in the film – in one scene in particular, but that's all Valentine's doing, which leads to the undoing of our initial hero, Hart/Galahad.

The umbrella – and, for me, Colin Firth's entire demeanor, is a nod to Steed in “The Avengers.” No, not the Steed in that poor excuse for a let's turn a brilliant TV show into a pathetic movie of the same name Steed, I'm talking Patrick Macnee dapper and polish.

The Kingsmans' front is a tailor shop – shades of U.N.C.L.E.

In the scene where Harry is suiting Gary up is his special Kingsman attire, Harry shows him the dagger-tipped shoe and remarks on earlier models that had a phone in the heel … shades of Don Adams' Agent 86.

Firth is first rate and did 80-85 percent of the stunts himself … that's right, himself … he trained for several months to become fit enough to take on the role.

Newcomer Egerton is fabulous as the young spy-in-training and also did most of his stunts. Like Firth, there were months of training before shooting began.

And Jackson and that lisp. Great comic moments with this, um, gag.

Spy genre fans should really enjoy this film. And, if you are someone who doesn't, but find yourself in line with a date anyway, be prepared to give yourself up to the cool world of 60s and early 70s 'spyventure' and take a cinematic ride on the wild side – Vaughn-Millar style.

 “Kingsman,” plays at  7 p.m. on Friday, March 13, Saturday, March 14, Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 at The Harbor Theatre. On Sunday, March 15 there is a 2 p.m. matinee.

The theater is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor.