I think this had a similar sort of problem to the Tom Cruise version of The Mummy - the people making the film were so sure it was going to be the start of a new franchise that they forgot to make something that was appealing in its own right.
Interesting you should say that because The Mummy also had Sofia Boutella as the titular character, and her other big movie within the last few months was Rebel Moon, which ALSO seemed to have that kind of problem in the eyes of many people. All I can say is that I really hope she doesn’t ultimately go down the same kind of path as someone like Milla Jovovich where she repeatedly gets cast in poorly-written cash-grab flicks that don’t really do a good job showcasing whatever full range of talent she actually has.
You also have 2015's Terminator Genisys which was so bothered about setting up the two already announced sequels [which were planned to be shot back to back and the first come out as soon as 2017], they didn't make a very good film [with a near incomprehensible script] and those sequels were never made. The recently ended DCU also had many examples of that such as Black Adam.
Its been so weird hearing about this movie, since I've been using "Argylle" as an online handle since I was 14. Got the name from Fallout 3, from a radio show that played in the wastes. It's so odd.
I saw it yesterday afternoon, and I was really with the movie for the first 90 minutes. Not a masterpiece, but fun. Then, the third act started. And with something like 8 twists within 5 minutes, I became exhausted. You're right--it's not that complicated of a story, but all the twists just left me numb. By that time, I really couldn't enjoy the corridor shootout scene -- I thought that Matthew Vaughn was just recycling Kingsman. But, that skating scene -- oh, gosh, that skating scene. That went on for about 5 days, didn't it? I'm surprised I wasn't late for work today. That was bad.
I noticed that the story began to fall apart a bit at the end. So the entire premise of the oil slick scene was casually discarded after it had served it purpose and the introduction of another equally disposable plot device in the final fight scene kinda left me thinking why they didn't just use that earlier? Don't get me started on the deus ex machina at the end! It was schlocky but watchable trash for at least half of the runtime; meh, fine turn off your brain and just continue eating the popcorn but it rapidly descends even from that low perch into tedious rubbish. Vaughn must be delusional if he thinks this excreta is going to spawn a franchise.
10:45 I felt 'The Kings Man' [the prequel] had this issue as it realised that it did need to treat World War I with some respect [which was something 'Blackadder Goes Fourth' did while being hilariously funny] but that meant the cartoonish elements [like the very 'Spectre' esq bad guy meetings] and series trademark vulgarity really clashed [similar to having real history along side wacky invented incidents]. A lot of the cast playing historical figures didn't seem to know how seriously to play the roles either [hence why Rhys Ifans' Rasputin was a standout as he went full OTT with the role].
Vaughn made a serious error in killing off Rasputin far too early in that film. Rhys Ifans' scenery chewing performance was about the only thing it had going for it. The rest of the film is completely forgettable.
18:24 I do agree that Matthew Vaughn's spy films are starting to ware thin-Kingsman 2 was generally considered to be a step down from the first, the prequel 'The King's Man' had disappointing critical reaction+ box office takings while this seems to be going the same way. He's recently been talking about starting up another spy franchise [currently untitled] along with sequels to Argylle and Kingsman [even surprisingly 'The King's Man'] with crossovers for a cinematic universe but I do wonder how many will see the light of day [The Statesman from Kingsman 2 were meant to have a spin off which is unlike to materialise].
The whole set up for the enterprise with it's 'bait and switch premise' and the 'mystery of Elly Conway' do feel like something that played better on paper than in execution-not helped by how long the joke has been dragged out as this was announced way back in June 2021. Argylle being basically a cameo in his own film [Cavill/Cena/Dua Lipa are just stunt casting and many of the other big names are barely in it] and the book is written by Terry Hayes+Tammy Cohen [who aren't names the general public are aware of]-feels like such a hollow pay off.
That's funny, this sounds pretty much like the ad I saw. I don't know if the focus on Cavill in marketing was more of a UK thing or what. Also, I've been trying to follow the point of the cat in the movie, I can't believe I only just realised it's a cat getting out of a bag.
When I hear about the CG Effects in this (and seeing examples like that horrible CG cat), all I keep thinking to myself is: Godzilla: Minus One: under $15 million dollar budget, has phenomenal CG effects that are now Oscar nominated. (EDIT: now Oscar-WINNING Effects!) The budget for this movie is allegedly around $200 million. In other words: what freaking excuse does THIS have?
This started shooting in late 2021 so there was probably some Covid protocols involved inflating the budget [as with a lot of films released in 2022-23]. Vaughn himself has disputed the $200million budget, suggesting it's much less, but his 'The Kings Man' had some cartoonish CGI.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons behind that is that there are no film industry unions in Japan and most of those involved in the making of Japanese films are horrendously underpaid.
In full honesty, I thought the trailer was kind of a mess when I first saw it. The CGI cat, two stories going on at once, comedy lines that didn't really land, I had no thought in my mind that it would be remotely passable. It's nice to hear that it isn't a complete bomb and the kingsman director isn't entirely a one hit wonder, but I do feel like if I wanted to see "over the top action film with a bit of comedy thrown in" I'd rather watch the John Wick series these days, even if it's not entirely similar.
Sounds like someone wamted to remake Romancing the Stone - and thought making the book's character "Jessie" on the forefront . And without his back story
I went in saw The Beekeeper couple days ago I really enjoy that movie it wasn't exceptionally deep but I still enjoy the movie but man that movie felt more like Kingsman than Argylle did.
Presumably the novel and movie contain clues to a real-world scavenger hunt designed to appeal to the current conspiracy market. Hence why it's called ARGyle. Alternate Reality Game.
In fairness [from what I gather] it seems like the Kingsman franchise is being held up by rights issues as Disney [who inherited it from 20th Century Fox in the merger] are not interested in continuing the series and it needs another studio to take it over.
I doubt it will see the light of day. The Kingsman franchise is pretty much done and after the loss Apple will make off this there isn't going to be much appetite to make any more. For a company that likes money as much as Disney does, I can only assume that they see no profit in it or they'd be making it.
Man from Uncle with Cavill, despite having a following online, was a bit of a flop back in 2015 [it's estimated to have lost $80 million] and this has started poorly. At least Cavill had his darker turn in the fantastic Mission Impossible: Fallout as a success in the spy genre.
I get the feeling that the stunt casting might be one reason this film cost so much to make... which means this is another 200+ million that's probably not even going to break even.
Like Caville it was 'stunt casting' to get her audience to watch it [which could have worked given she was making headlines at the Grammy's on the same weekend the film opened...but that doesn't seem to have helped the box office].
Director Vaughn has himself questioned that $200 million price tag [the Kingsman films each cost about $100 million] and it was mostly filmed in 2021 so there probably was still Covid expenses involved pushing up the budget.
Saw this earlier this evening and I thought it was bloody awful. The first half of the film is definitely trash, but somewhat watchable trash. But as soon as the plot twists start it just nosedives into really tiresome garbage. Its overlong, over stuffed and over plot twisty. Its also tonally uneven, is it a comedy or just schlock? Its filled with glaring plot holes, which really makes you think by that they just couldn't be arsed and it really needed someone to tell Vaughn when to stop. I actually swore out load in the cinema when a certain character that spends the entire film dead suddenly arrives to save the day, deus ex machina style. On the face of it the premise could have had some legs but it just starts to p*ss you off too much to for you to care. Oh and its strange how the the main characters have apparent nostalgia for a song was only released last year! Really gross product placement from Apple. Its flopping hard at the box office currently and frankly it deserves to; where the reported $200 million budget went I've no idea, the film looks shoddy as hell!
Kingsman 2 was apparently 3 hours and 40 mins long originally until it was cut down to 2 hours 20 mins-like this it needed someone to say 'no' to some ideas at scripting
In fairness, Vaughn himself has questioned the validity of the '$200 million budget' and salaries+ covid protocols will have played a part but he's had some pretty cartoonish CGI in all of the Kingsman films.
Saw this at the cinema in IMAX in its initial release thinking it could be good considering that kingsman was a relatively good series of films. Plus Argylle was advertised to death and extremely overly hyped. But what a complete mess it was. And honestly this film and the previous film the Kings Man has changed my interest for any future projects from these creators. I won’t waste my time and money with the next film or whatever they make. What absolute ungodly garbage.
Sam Rockwell saved this from being a disaster. It became rather ridiculous near the end when I thought I was watching Austin Powers. The rest of the cast showed really no significant interest to the entertainment value of this film . You would have a better chance betting on the cat.
I think this had a similar sort of problem to the Tom Cruise version of The Mummy - the people making the film were so sure it was going to be the start of a new franchise that they forgot to make something that was appealing in its own right.
Interesting you should say that because The Mummy also had Sofia Boutella as the titular character, and her other big movie within the last few months was Rebel Moon, which ALSO seemed to have that kind of problem in the eyes of many people. All I can say is that I really hope she doesn’t ultimately go down the same kind of path as someone like Milla Jovovich where she repeatedly gets cast in poorly-written cash-grab flicks that don’t really do a good job showcasing whatever full range of talent she actually has.
You also have 2015's Terminator Genisys which was so bothered about setting up the two already announced sequels [which were planned to be shot back to back and the first come out as soon as 2017], they didn't make a very good film [with a near incomprehensible script] and those sequels were never made. The recently ended DCU also had many examples of that such as Black Adam.
Its been so weird hearing about this movie, since I've been using "Argylle" as an online handle since I was 14. Got the name from Fallout 3, from a radio show that played in the wastes. It's so odd.
I saw it yesterday afternoon, and I was really with the movie for the first 90 minutes. Not a masterpiece, but fun. Then, the third act started. And with something like 8 twists within 5 minutes, I became exhausted. You're right--it's not that complicated of a story, but all the twists just left me numb. By that time, I really couldn't enjoy the corridor shootout scene -- I thought that Matthew Vaughn was just recycling Kingsman. But, that skating scene -- oh, gosh, that skating scene. That went on for about 5 days, didn't it? I'm surprised I wasn't late for work today. That was bad.
I noticed that the story began to fall apart a bit at the end. So the entire premise of the oil slick scene was casually discarded after it had served it purpose and the introduction of another equally disposable plot device in the final fight scene kinda left me thinking why they didn't just use that earlier? Don't get me started on the deus ex machina at the end! It was schlocky but watchable trash for at least half of the runtime; meh, fine turn off your brain and just continue eating the popcorn but it rapidly descends even from that low perch into tedious rubbish. Vaughn must be delusional if he thinks this excreta is going to spawn a franchise.
10:45 I felt 'The Kings Man' [the prequel] had this issue as it realised that it did need to treat World War I with some respect [which was something 'Blackadder Goes Fourth' did while being hilariously funny] but that meant the cartoonish elements [like the very 'Spectre' esq bad guy meetings] and series trademark vulgarity really clashed [similar to having real history along side wacky invented incidents]. A lot of the cast playing historical figures didn't seem to know how seriously to play the roles either [hence why Rhys Ifans' Rasputin was a standout as he went full OTT with the role].
Vaughn made a serious error in killing off Rasputin far too early in that film. Rhys Ifans' scenery chewing performance was about the only thing it had going for it. The rest of the film is completely forgettable.
18:24 I do agree that Matthew Vaughn's spy films are starting to ware thin-Kingsman 2 was generally considered to be a step down from the first, the prequel 'The King's Man' had disappointing critical reaction+ box office takings while this seems to be going the same way. He's recently been talking about starting up another spy franchise [currently untitled] along with sequels to Argylle and Kingsman [even surprisingly 'The King's Man'] with crossovers for a cinematic universe but I do wonder how many will see the light of day [The Statesman from Kingsman 2 were meant to have a spin off which is unlike to materialise].
Given the film's poor performance at the box office, thankfully I doubt we'll see any of that stuff made.
I saw the movie this weekend, and it was entertainingly goofy fun, not taking itself too seriously. The cast seemed to be having a blast filming it.
It's always a treat to get your thoughts on films... One could say to get a peak into your film brain. 😅
Enjoy and be well
That mid-90s action movie was the first thing I thought of when I learned about the twist, I'm glad it wasn't just me
The whole set up for the enterprise with it's 'bait and switch premise' and the 'mystery of Elly Conway' do feel like something that played better on paper than in execution-not helped by how long the joke has been dragged out as this was announced way back in June 2021. Argylle being basically a cameo in his own film [Cavill/Cena/Dua Lipa are just stunt casting and many of the other big names are barely in it] and the book is written by Terry Hayes+Tammy Cohen [who aren't names the general public are aware of]-feels like such a hollow pay off.
That's funny, this sounds pretty much like the ad I saw. I don't know if the focus on Cavill in marketing was more of a UK thing or what. Also, I've been trying to follow the point of the cat in the movie, I can't believe I only just realised it's a cat getting out of a bag.
Oh boy that CGI cat🐱🐱🐱🐈
All these reviews make me think of Spy Kids for some reason.
When I hear about the CG Effects in this (and seeing examples like that horrible CG cat), all I keep thinking to myself is:
Godzilla: Minus One: under $15 million dollar budget, has phenomenal CG effects that are now Oscar nominated. (EDIT: now Oscar-WINNING Effects!)
The budget for this movie is allegedly around $200 million. In other words: what freaking excuse does THIS have?
This started shooting in late 2021 so there was probably some Covid protocols involved inflating the budget [as with a lot of films released in 2022-23]. Vaughn himself has disputed the $200million budget, suggesting it's much less, but his 'The Kings Man' had some cartoonish CGI.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons behind that is that there are no film industry unions in Japan and most of those involved in the making of Japanese films are horrendously underpaid.
Thanks!
Thank you!
The multi-media aspect is impressive. Love when things do that. Shame the film falls short in other ways
I personally enjoyed it more than I expected it. It has his flaw sure but it’s a movie that is a fun ride.
In full honesty, I thought the trailer was kind of a mess when I first saw it. The CGI cat, two stories going on at once, comedy lines that didn't really land, I had no thought in my mind that it would be remotely passable. It's nice to hear that it isn't a complete bomb and the kingsman director isn't entirely a one hit wonder, but I do feel like if I wanted to see "over the top action film with a bit of comedy thrown in" I'd rather watch the John Wick series these days, even if it's not entirely similar.
I’ll be honest when I saw the trailer I thought Sam Rockwell was Will Forte😅
Im so glad Im not the only one, I was legit so confused when he kept saying Sam Rockwell.
I liked it, it was pure dumb fun. Also, anyone else think of Henry Caville and John Cena making out at the end?
They didn't follow through on that, and they were cowards.
Sounds like someone wamted to remake Romancing the Stone - and thought making the book's character "Jessie" on the forefront . And without his back story
Tbh I enjoyed this more than Kikgsmen bc it felt more original and more actually taking itself not seriously whereas kingsmen IMO struggles with that.
It's ridiculous. I had fun.
Me too.
Really enjoyed this review. Always love to see a new video from you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I went in saw The Beekeeper couple days ago I really enjoy that movie it wasn't exceptionally deep but I still enjoy the movie but man that movie felt more like Kingsman than Argylle did.
We're live!
Presumably the novel and movie contain clues to a real-world scavenger hunt designed to appeal to the current conspiracy market.
Hence why it's called ARGyle. Alternate Reality Game.
At this rate, Matthew Vaughn would sooner remake Austin Powers if it means kicking the Kingsman 3 can down the road a bit further.
In fairness [from what I gather] it seems like the Kingsman franchise is being held up by rights issues as Disney [who inherited it from 20th Century Fox in the merger] are not interested in continuing the series and it needs another studio to take it over.
I doubt it will see the light of day. The Kingsman franchise is pretty much done and after the loss Apple will make off this there isn't going to be much appetite to make any more. For a company that likes money as much as Disney does, I can only assume that they see no profit in it or they'd be making it.
4:13 or John Travolta on Broken Arrow
Man from Uncle with Cavill, despite having a following online, was a bit of a flop back in 2015 [it's estimated to have lost $80 million] and this has started poorly. At least Cavill had his darker turn in the fantastic Mission Impossible: Fallout as a success in the spy genre.
I get the feeling that the stunt casting might be one reason this film cost so much to make... which means this is another 200+ million that's probably not even going to break even.
It was also filmed during Covid which didn't help either
Who wrote the novel? ChatGPT. Obviously.
I've never cared for anything Matthew Vaughn has done.
Geez, Dua Lipa was already pretty useless in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. What makes Vaughn think she could be a big star?
Going by the limited screen time he gives her I tend to think he doesn't.
Like Caville it was 'stunt casting' to get her audience to watch it [which could have worked given she was making headlines at the Grammy's on the same weekend the film opened...but that doesn't seem to have helped the box office].
Heard the movie cost around $200+ million. Maybe they should have cut out the CGI cat. But then again, I think I know who the target audience is.
Director Vaughn has himself questioned that $200 million price tag [the Kingsman films each cost about $100 million] and it was mostly filmed in 2021 so there probably was still Covid expenses involved pushing up the budget.
im sooo excited
It feels like such a waste of talent
Saw this earlier this evening and I thought it was bloody awful. The first half of the film is definitely trash, but somewhat watchable trash. But as soon as the plot twists start it just nosedives into really tiresome garbage. Its overlong, over stuffed and over plot twisty. Its also tonally uneven, is it a comedy or just schlock? Its filled with glaring plot holes, which really makes you think by that they just couldn't be arsed and it really needed someone to tell Vaughn when to stop. I actually swore out load in the cinema when a certain character that spends the entire film dead suddenly arrives to save the day, deus ex machina style. On the face of it the premise could have had some legs but it just starts to p*ss you off too much to for you to care. Oh and its strange how the the main characters have apparent nostalgia for a song was only released last year! Really gross product placement from Apple. Its flopping hard at the box office currently and frankly it deserves to; where the reported $200 million budget went I've no idea, the film looks shoddy as hell!
Kingsman 2 was apparently 3 hours and 40 mins long originally until it was cut down to 2 hours 20 mins-like this it needed someone to say 'no' to some ideas at scripting
In fairness, Vaughn himself has questioned the validity of the '$200 million budget' and salaries+ covid protocols will have played a part but he's had some pretty cartoonish CGI in all of the Kingsman films.
Saw this at the cinema in IMAX in its initial release thinking it could be good considering that kingsman was a relatively good series of films. Plus Argylle was advertised to death and extremely overly hyped. But what a complete mess it was. And honestly this film and the previous film the
Kings Man has changed my interest for any future projects from these creators. I won’t waste my time and money with the next film or whatever they make. What absolute ungodly garbage.
Sam Rockwell saved this from being a disaster. It became rather ridiculous near the end when I thought I was watching Austin Powers. The rest of the cast showed really no significant interest to the entertainment value of this film . You would have a better chance betting on the cat.
Sam Rockwell usually steals the show in anything he appears.
Film Brain
The movie was terrible and the book doesn't sound much better.
Maybe cut back on “actually.” If I made a drinking game out of the number of times you said that, I’d die.
My God! Remembered you a while ago. Where is your hair man? What happened?
There's not great mystery-he got older!