Post by Robert on Aug 6, 2023 2:22:57 GMT -5
Children of Bond - Kingsman: The Secret Service
www.alternative007.co.uk/354.htm
Kingsman: The Secret Service is a cheeky and very entertaining 2014 Matthew Vaughn fusion of John Steed, Bond, and chav culture. It is based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. Fast, fun, crude, unashamedly British and deliberately wonky, Kingsman is a hell of a lot more fun than sitting through the last batch of Bond films. Matthew Vaughn had actually already riffed on James Bond in even more style with his prequel X-Men: First Class. "I nearly directed a Bond [film]," said Vaughn (presumably in reference to the fact that he was briefly in the frame to direct Casino Royale), "and I didn’t get the chance, but you know, if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em, or if you can’t join 'em, beat 'em, whatever the expression is."
The central character in Kingsman is Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Taron Egerton). Eggsy is a young man with a troubled past, living in a council estate in London. He is recruited by Harry Hart/Galahad, played by Colin Firth, and discovers that his late father was once a member of a secret spy organisation called Kingsman. Harry Hart is more or less a modern day John Steed and even has a gadget festooned umbrella. By the way, I like the way the hero Eggsy is basically a chav. Chav is a derogatory term used in England to describe a certain cultural stereotype - typically associated with young people from poor working-class backgrounds. Chavs are often depicted as being poorly educated, wearing cheap tracksuits, and engaging in yobbish antisocial behaviour.
Eggsy IS a chav but he turns out to be good decent person and even a hero. That's a nice positive spin on the chav stereotype. Kingsman has a pleasant message that anyone, regardless of their social class and background, can prove their worth, improve their circumstances, and make a difference. Kingsman: The Secret Service also explores the theme of mentorship. Harry takes Eggsy under his wing, guiding him throughout his training and teaching him valuable life lessons. This relationship showcases the importance of compassion, loyalty, and the responsibility of passing on knowledge to the next generation. It is through this bond that Eggsy discovers his true potential and transforms into a confident and capable agent.
The Kingsman agency, headed by Arthur (Michael Caine), is an ultra-secret organisation that operates independently of governments. They are a group of highly skilled agents who perform covert operations to protect the world from threats. With their superb combat skills, refined manners, and impeccable wardrobe, they represent the epitome of a modern-day gentleman spy. In the (weaker) sequel we meet the Statesmen - the American version of the Kingsman. It seems that each version of Kingsman represents that nation's stereotypical cultural tradition of 'badass' heroes. So in the United States it is sharpshooting teak tough cowboys whereas in Britain it is the James Bond/John Steed gentleman spy. Presumably in Japan it would be Ninjas or something and so on....
www.alternative007.co.uk/354.htm
www.alternative007.co.uk/354.htm
Kingsman: The Secret Service is a cheeky and very entertaining 2014 Matthew Vaughn fusion of John Steed, Bond, and chav culture. It is based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. Fast, fun, crude, unashamedly British and deliberately wonky, Kingsman is a hell of a lot more fun than sitting through the last batch of Bond films. Matthew Vaughn had actually already riffed on James Bond in even more style with his prequel X-Men: First Class. "I nearly directed a Bond [film]," said Vaughn (presumably in reference to the fact that he was briefly in the frame to direct Casino Royale), "and I didn’t get the chance, but you know, if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em, or if you can’t join 'em, beat 'em, whatever the expression is."
The central character in Kingsman is Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Taron Egerton). Eggsy is a young man with a troubled past, living in a council estate in London. He is recruited by Harry Hart/Galahad, played by Colin Firth, and discovers that his late father was once a member of a secret spy organisation called Kingsman. Harry Hart is more or less a modern day John Steed and even has a gadget festooned umbrella. By the way, I like the way the hero Eggsy is basically a chav. Chav is a derogatory term used in England to describe a certain cultural stereotype - typically associated with young people from poor working-class backgrounds. Chavs are often depicted as being poorly educated, wearing cheap tracksuits, and engaging in yobbish antisocial behaviour.
Eggsy IS a chav but he turns out to be good decent person and even a hero. That's a nice positive spin on the chav stereotype. Kingsman has a pleasant message that anyone, regardless of their social class and background, can prove their worth, improve their circumstances, and make a difference. Kingsman: The Secret Service also explores the theme of mentorship. Harry takes Eggsy under his wing, guiding him throughout his training and teaching him valuable life lessons. This relationship showcases the importance of compassion, loyalty, and the responsibility of passing on knowledge to the next generation. It is through this bond that Eggsy discovers his true potential and transforms into a confident and capable agent.
The Kingsman agency, headed by Arthur (Michael Caine), is an ultra-secret organisation that operates independently of governments. They are a group of highly skilled agents who perform covert operations to protect the world from threats. With their superb combat skills, refined manners, and impeccable wardrobe, they represent the epitome of a modern-day gentleman spy. In the (weaker) sequel we meet the Statesmen - the American version of the Kingsman. It seems that each version of Kingsman represents that nation's stereotypical cultural tradition of 'badass' heroes. So in the United States it is sharpshooting teak tough cowboys whereas in Britain it is the James Bond/John Steed gentleman spy. Presumably in Japan it would be Ninjas or something and so on....
www.alternative007.co.uk/354.htm