Kingsman movies' hidden humanity eggs + Review.
I've tried to keep most of the spoilers cloaked. But if you choose to read further, be prepared for some spoilers.
As they say, the cinema is a representative of human soul and emotions. One can see the self in the visualizations created by the masters of film making. The art form has a huge power to influence and alter imaginations and perspectives. No wonder we even see political domains using the medium to influence the decisions of their voter bases.
There might be ugly cons, but still some film makers and great story tellers keep throwing hidden messages to influence and shine a light on our perspectives.
The world has changed quite a lot in a last few decades, so has the cinema and the cinema goers. Out of all, the technological progressions and visualization advancements that cinema has achieved, specially in the last decade, one certain thing has transpired- that, simply adding effects and style, do not sell movies. The audiences have gotten intelligent. They want proper wit, intelligence and above all the right story. Yes, there is a slight exceptions of some dumb-f**** who are far below average to understand the story bit.
Kingsman series is a great example of stylized modern cinema, but clubbed with the right amount of intelligence and wit, and specially the human problems centered story lines. All those who have seen the first Kingsman film, must have realized that the days of patriarchal, white privilege, J.B. culture are numbered. No wonder, Eggsy named his pup J.B., a delineation of modern comparison of overconfident, misogynistic men with dogs. All wrapped in a charming sandwich of humor, not offending our offense friendly masses.
At the same time, the popular dialogue by Colin Firth's Character, Galahad - Manners Maketh Man, a line from Shakespeare, commands how a modern man of 21st century should behave. Its reiterated in the suits they wear. A man wearing a closed button double breasted blazer, all the time, is not very comfortable or pleasant, I assume. But forcing an attire to straighten your back in all times, forces a physiological control on your mind and physical body itself. Its a known fact that men who wear suits most of the time, behave more 'gentlemanly' than their counterparts. And of course men look good in them, no second thoughts on that.
If you're about the say that Eggsy, in the end of the first part, went for the misogynistic endeavor by pursuing the princess he saves among all the people, you'd have a relief to see that she ends up being the love of life in the new film. I personally have no qualms about polygamy, but mentally grounded gentlemen generally do not undertake that. :)
Talking about the Humanity and its problems, Kingsman series, although through punned out wit (with some quotients of intelligence of course), manages to talk about things that matter.
The first part was all about the consequences of technology. How we have become slaves of those supercomputers in our pockets, we find a sense of desperation if we do not have them around at any moment. It was shown in a not so subtle way, through a loud American (close) villain portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson. The not so funny lisped character planned to control the minds of the people through mind control sim cards given free, out to the public.
The story led on and touched a bigger matter at hand, the dawdling demise of our world as we see it, due to problem of over population. The film being an element of pop culture, had to add its own spice to the topic, but there's absolutely no doubt it, that we are at a verge, and only a radical direction can control the human population from exploding, before it finishes all its resources for good. Of course, I am not leading to the killing as the film suggested, but education could be a first step. Another topic both the films subtly talked about.
Coming to the Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Rating: ★★★★☆
I quite enjoyed watching this 2hr 20 odd minutes film. It was certainly better than the first one, very rare in case of modern sequels.
Now, the film's director, Matthew Vaughn takes the hard subject of drug epidemic (just don't know why marijuana is being compared with meth, heroine and cocaine, when its 30 times less toxic than even a shot of perfectly legalized alcohol) in our society, and shows it in a subtle comic manner. Its presented to us in a casing of his tried and tested stylized imagery.
Drugs. Everyone does it. No one talks about it. That's the message I got, when even the Secretary of state and the princess are among the drug users. I just don't understand why Matthew romanticizes the idea of mass killing.
The portrayal of a garish American president, much represents the real person sitting in the chair, sans the wig. Or may be an over exaggeration of a character. Well, American liberals mostly dream the impeachment of a red president all the time, in favor of a blonde woman. But that's that. I hope we were able to openly laugh at our leaders of position.
The Statesmen are a delight, who are presented as a backup in a doomsday scenario, for the Kingsman. A very representation of southern American characterization, a bit over at times, but mostly witty, on spot with impeccable timing. Channing Tatum just can't stop dancing without his clothes. Did I mention the fight sequences are much cooler than the Brits of the movie. OK, at least till the climax where Eggsy and Galahad steal the show. Hands off to Matthew for the visual treat and new age fight choreography!
The lovely Julian Moore undertakes her role of drug queen well, a little shy of a psychopath she's suppose to be. Although she has an unusual characterization, not as expected from the similar roles. I personally love the reference to all the 50's setups. Hilarious at times. Just one thing I could not digest were some of the gadgets, including the robots. We are not anywhere close to the superior technology shown. Did I mention Elton John, being Hilarious!
Go, watch it, while it still remains in Indian theaters. And please do not watch the Hindi version, if you really don't wanna F*** up the experience.
