Predictable and confusing plot twists make this espionage action comedy a disappointment.

Like “The Lost City” from two years ago, you see your own film version of a popular book and then meet the author behind it. Only “Argylle” is a spy thriller ingeniously written by Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard). But both of them come from the same “Romancing the Stone” inspiration. The title hero (Henry Cavill), who is obviously modeled after James Bond, and his muscle Woody Wyatt (John Cena) are in danger from the organization that recruited them, and their story is left on a cliffhanger, because Elly needs to work on the next book. These espionage stories take time-knowing the location, medical procedures (if anyone gets shot), and what the world’s great spy would say.

Apparently, the latest entry from director Matthew Vaughn of “Kingman” fame takes too long with its plot twists-half of them are predictable and half of them are confusing. It ends being a real disappointment, and that’s saying a lot because Vaughn’s last two “Kingsman” movies (The sequel “The Golden Circle” and the prequel “The King’s Man”) were inferior to the original. He is a stylish filmmaker who can use the actors and music with the right style and attitude, but I feel he’s been indulged by their box office receipts. Or maybe it’s just that the targets aren’t seen as targets in these recent entries. And even people know better than succumb to these kind of leisures.

Sam Rockwell is the one who brings on the laughs as a spy named Aidan, who needs to protect Elly and her cat Alfie from an evil organization, the Division, run by Ritter (Bryan Cranston), who considers her a fortune teller in her work. But he also has to deal with her being scared and cynical about whatever game she has to play. We see her liking her cat more than the dating game, which too tedious for a character development. And there are also times when she imagines Aidan as Argylle in his fight scenes, like he’s supposed to be her imaginary friend or something.

When I knew certain twists would happen, I heard reactions from the audience at the special IMAX screening, as if they didn’t see them coming, when, from my perspective, certain giveaways were given. I know you’re all salvaging to see “Argylle,” because of the star power, so I won’t spoil anything for you. You’ll have to learn on your own.

And when I didn’t expect certain twists, I ended getting confused and disappointed. Spy movies can be convoluted, but they must also be patient and consistent, and “Argylle” takes too long in developing so little of the reasonings or explanations for certain things. Again, I can’t tell you for your sake.

The most entertaining element in the movie’s promotion is a music video in which the cast members (also including Catherine O’Hara, Ariana DeBose; and Samuel L. Jackson) are dancing to the theme song (“Electric Energy” performed by DeBose, Boy George, and Nile Rodgers), while Cavill seems like he’s not having fun in it. Now, that’s a movie music video I’d nominate, and it’s not shown during the actual movie, which means I can watch it anytime. It’s not like I have to see “Bohemian Rhapsody” to listen to the songs, when I could stick to my iTunes list.

“Argylle” relies on too many CGI effects, twists, and silly implausibilities to make it a campy spy movie. In fact, it has more action than comedy, which is too bad considering the risks taken in the first “Kingsman” movie or even “Kick Ass” (also aided by Vaughn). And this one is rated PG-13. Even certain action movies with that rating had more balls than this.