• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Kingsman - (Second) Best action movie of 2015

Status
Not open for further replies.
I watched this movie at a screening back in January. Even got a poster signed by the cast out if it, which was cool.

That being said, it's a fun movie, but is it standard bearer for action movies this year? Nope. Is it a standard bearer for action movies any other year? Nope.

I think it was pretty telling that I watched this one week and felt almost nothing, then watched Whiplash the next week and felt my heart reach anxiety attack levels of pounding.

In retrospect, one thing that peeved me off in this one was
how the girl that was elected into Lancelot's position never really does anything for the final action scene although she's more of badass than the main character. Seemed like a cop-out for her character as a whole as well as a way of devaluing her role in order to make the guys the heroes.

Absolutely agree with the spoiler. The character deserved to be much more front and centre in the second half. Was very annoyed with how they handled the character.
 
That was my first thought as well as the curtains closed. Poor actress. Integral to the plot and only had like 3 lines and a lot of yelps.

It was a popcorn movie, but I didn't feel much empathy for anyone involved.
The opening scene doesn't even signal who exactly you're going to be rooting for until after they're dead.

Even the hero team (the Kingsmen) seem more than a little morally bankrupt. They work for governments in secret. Does that make them good? Their venerable patriarch switched to team evil genius apparently without the slightest resistance.

Their final exam was are you such an obedient machine that you'd shoot your own dog if ordered? There are apparently 10 other fully trained Kingsmen, but they're all too busy to step in to save the world after Colin gets gunned down. And worst of, the star of the show wasn't very charismatic.

So it definitely had too many flaws to be a classic.
 
I also have to say the plot setup was kind of meh (being aware you're not being overly serious is not in and of itself an excuse for crappy writing in your plot) especially compared to how good the action scenes were (and even how the plot was in the action part of the movie, it really picked up).


The number of Kingsmen was odd too. Why 10 ? IIRC the legends that specify a size and one that is reasonable small, would have 13 seats (Arthur (Jesus) + 12 Knights (Apostles) but they also have Merlin who didn't have a seat (not being a knight), which totals 14)
 
Okay, Messo, you owe me $10.50 if it's not as good as John Wick and Dredd :p
On par with The Raid movies, you say? That's one hell of a bar to reach.
 
Glad I went with low expectations, considering I never checked the source material and from a few skims at the comic it seems quite a bit different. Vaughn somehow makes Mark Millar material into not as much edgy tryhard crap and have some heart to it. Even Wanted turned out alright with no Eminem dude shouting at the audience with a fuck you at the end.

Furious 7 could be the competition if the setpieces are as outlandish as expected, but just have a feeling it won't be as satisfying or well-executed throughout. Either way, excited for what the rest of the year has in store cause I could still see Kingsman holding strong as a contender until the end of the year and not one to forget.
 

Zoille

Member
Been hearing this film is basically like an amped-up love-letter to the sort of over-the-top ridiculousness of Moore-era Bond. Except you know, way more fun/visually interesting/action-packed than any of those movies.

That's the feeling. Very funny, cheeky movie.
I couldn't help but listen to Freebird back home. For me Colin Firth was the quiet king in the King's speech. I was blown away.
 

Foggy

Member
Don't think any action movie in 2015 will touch it. Doubt the next James Bond or superhero movies will even have a chance, with how bloated those things can be. This is just super tight and goes at a breakneck pace even if it's 129 minutes. Hope this does really well.

Glowing praise, but I'll expect an update when Mad Max comes out in a few months
 

Xevren

Member
Screened it this morning and I absolutely loved it. Action scenes were great and it was really funny. Especially towards the end. Think I might watch it again soon.
 

Gawge

Member
It was fine/good in parts, but largely left me feeling disappointed and uncomfortable.

So, I love the Roger Moore Bond films (I also hate them for many good reasons), and I have been yearning for a throwback film to do it right. Kingsman OBVIOUSLY wants to be this movie, and it has the right idea, but completely wrong execution.

For me, it keeps all the awful stuff of those films (which were awful at the time, but are especially awful now), and actually makes them worse in places. I mean the little innuendos at the end of Bond films were nowhere near as vulgar, unnecessary and unforgivable as the bit at the end of Kingsman.

Also, the whole 'class' aspect was really off putting. Yeah, the toffs were portrayed as ~bad people~, but ultimately the message of the film was how it is good to no longer be working class, and become a 'gentleman'. Eggsy was 'special', he wasn't 'supposed' to be working class, and he was rescued from the awful life where everyone is a thug, women have no agency and life is an unending misery. The right way to live is to be an upper class 'gentleman', and not be an obvious dick about it.

It could have been good. I liked that action sequences lasted, there wasn't constant cuts etc... in general the action was pretty good. I was just immensely put off by a lot of decisions.
 
Here's a weird question: I'm planning a day with my "little" brothers this weekend; we're going to see Kingsmen and I'm going to introduce them to the wonder that is John Wick. I don't want one to overshadow the other; which do we watch first? I feel like leading with Wick but if it's the better film it might be the perfect way to cap the day... Some conflicting reports in this thread!

TOUGH DECISIONS.
 
Just watched it. Really good action/spy movie, loved all the characters. Although
the girl with the sword legs was a little weird.
 
Tomorrow's my birthday
Steam login is MangoPositive
.

My wife has laid out tomorrow's agenda: Tacos (great authentic tacos) > sex > Kingsman showing. I'm looking forward to it. The beauty of my 10 year marriage is that my wife is also looking forward to it. You know when the last time I had to go see a romcom in the theater? Trick question... NEVER! She prefers explosions and special effects! Life is good, folks.
 
Didn't expect much going in to this but blimey it was something
The action scenes were mental, the action to music was awesome and the film was much funnier than I expected.
By the second half it really gave the feeling of being caught up in something and it had me more engaged than the average film.

Also, the whole 'class' aspect was really off putting. Yeah, the toffs were portrayed as ~bad people~, but ultimately the message of the film was how it is good to no longer be working class, and become a 'gentleman'. Eggsy was 'special', he wasn't 'supposed' to be working class, and he was rescued from the awful life where everyone is a thug, women have no agency and life is an unending misery. The right way to live is to be an upper class 'gentleman', and not be an obvious dick about it.

That's a real misreading of the message mate
 
Ugh, all the theaters around me are using their XD and big-format screens for Fifty Shades of Grey, while this is in the little theaters. Whyyyyyy!
 

Yuuichi

Member
Ugh, all the theaters around me are using their XD and big-format screens for Fifty Shades of Grey, while this is in the little theaters. Whyyyyyy!

I haven't checked yet, I'm really hoping it's in the big one here if I go tomorrow.

what the hell is your profile, lol
 
Comparisons to The Raid are high praise indeed, so I guess I'll have to see it. Though I really didn't think much of the action in Kickass, which was also Matthew Vaughn/Brad Allan.
 
Comparisons to The Raid are high praise indeed, so I guess I'll have to see it. Though I really didn't think much of the action in Kickass, which was also Matthew Vaughn/Brad Allan.
I have to say though, Messo does know his action movies. Discovered some great gems due to his posts, like '71
 
Been hearing this film is basically like an amped-up love-letter to the sort of over-the-top ridiculousness of Moore-era Bond. Except you know, way more fun/visually interesting/action-packed than any of those movies.

Haha I would hope it is more fun/visually interesting/action packed than the Moore Bond films. Live and Let DIe has probably the most boring (boat) chase scene I've ever seen.
 

PAULINK

I microwave steaks.
Here's a weird question: I'm planning a day with my "little" brothers this weekend; we're going to see Kingsmen and I'm going to introduce them to the wonder that is John Wick. I don't want one to overshadow the other; which do we watch first? I feel like leading with Wick but if it's the better film it might be the perfect way to cap the day... Some conflicting reports in this thread!

TOUGH DECISIONS.
Go see John wick first, it's definitely the weaker of the two.

I saw Kingsman tonight and man, I doubt anything will come close to this movie this year. Really enjoyed the subtle humor throughout the movie as well. I did kind of wish the movie had subtitles, sometimes the british accents or even
samuel l jackson's lisp
had me thinking about lines over and over.

Can't wait til it comes out on blu ray so I can watch it over and over.
 
Just saw it.

Wasn't blown away outside of the one action scene.

Edit:
Also, everyone who said in The Interview threads
the U.S. would never be okay with a fictional killing of a sitting president in a movie
can officially get fucked now.
 

Jaroof

Member
Just got out from seeing this movie.

Damn.

What a movie. Callin' it my movie of the year, already. Haha..
Not that there's much competition yet.. but it was a damn good movie.

Going to see it again tomorrow!
 

Shadownet

Banned
This movie was awesome from start to finish. Can't dislike a moment of it.

Btw spoiler.
for those that complain why they asked a bunch of newly appointed spy kids to go on this super important mission instead of any of the other established spies. I think Merlin said they dont have time to call in the other agents and they can't be sure if any of the other agents have been compromised yet or not.

So it sorta make sense that they had go work with what they got. Also I don't think Merlin counted as one of the agent. Think of him as Q in the Bond series. Just a caretaker/support kind of guy. I'm sure he can handle himself but I don't think he's like an agent.

Gazelle was awesome, so were everyone else. Can't wait for a sequel. Hopefully they'll flesh out the organization and the other members some more like Lancelot.
 

Matt_

World's #1 One Direction Fan: Everyone else in the room can see it, everyone else but you~~~
seeing it again tonight
havent seen a film twice since the last harry potter
 

GONZO

Member
I saw it last night. I quite liked it a lot. But to those comparing it to John Wick, I can tell you without a doubt John Wick has much better action choreography and gunplay. But Kingsmen has a more fun and engaging story. Though I found the main character to be weak I loved the supporting cast.
 
I saw this 2 times and it's been out for 2 days. First time i saw it in the evening and that night i slept only for 3 hours. I went anyway because tickets were already bought and i was very hyped for this movie. And do to me not feeling well i didn't enjoy it much. But because i was so hyped and i felt that i didn't like the movie because i didn't sleep much that night, today i went to the theater and saw it again. And i was right.
This movie is amazing. I can see myself rewatching it a lot. Best Matthem Vaughn movie.
First of all actors. Taron Egerton was just perfect for the role. Colin Firth was good. Samuel L. Jackson was awesome. The way he talks, lol. Mark Strong was awesome as always.
I liked Sophie Cookson and Sofia Boutella, but their characters had too little screen time.
I want to say how good score was in this movie.
And of course - action scenes. OH MY GOD.They are crazy.
There are three scenes that stand out:
church
,
final battle where Eggsy runs through the base shooting everyone and then his fight with Gazelle
and
skydiving scene
.
I liked them all very much.
Church
is of course amazing. How it's choreographed WOW.
FInal battle is one of the best i ever seen. I think the third act of the movie as a whole is perfect. Except too little of female characters.
skydiving
scene has so much adrenaline and music is very good.
There wasn't as much humor as ii'd hoped, but still
swedish princess
,
exploding heads
and
nazi joke
are gold.
The two things i didn't like are too little time for female characters and less humor that i thought there would be. As everyone said it's a shame
Roxy
was mostly absent in the third act.
And i just have to say this, Roxy is beautiful.
I liked John Wick very, very much but Kingsman > John Wick.
Very, very solid 8.
 

Raistlin

Post Count: 9999
While I'm sure it's quite great OP, you deserve ridicule for such a stupid thread title.

We're not even halfway through fucking February.
 
Just got out. If I had to rank Kingsman, not as good as The Raid movies like Messo said, but definitely up there with John Wick and I enjoyed it more than Dredd. Holy shit, the
church scene
here wiped the floor with John Wick's nightclub scene IMO, and the whole final action scene was fantastic too.

Overall, an awesome movie from start to finish.
 
I can't really compare John Wick's violence to what's in Kingsman, both are equally good, but both have different sensibilities.

Collin Firth is a badass, and I never though I'd say that.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom