As a seasoned movie critic who’s seen more action-packed films than I care to remember, I must say that “Argylle” left me with a mixed bag of emotions. The film, much like its titular character, is a dashingly stylish spy thriller, but it’s also as convoluted as a tangled web of international intrigue.
Regardless of being hailed as the most fashionable cinematic phenomenon of 2024, Matthew Vaughn’s international espionage blockbuster, Argylle, was a significant flop at the box office upon its release in February 2024. Although it performed better abroad than domestically, the independent Kingsman spin-off failed to engage or enthrall the dedicated fanbase as planned. Consequently, the planned Argylle trilogy and potential Kingsman crossover may never materialize due to this underperformance.
Criticized for favoring style over substance that lasts, Argylle didn’t capture the hearts of many like Vaughn’s past big-budget action films did. Despite an impressive cast headed by Henry Cavill, the flashy scenes and excessive action spectacle were mostly just a visually stunning distraction. However, the film has gained more attention since its addition to AppleTV+ in April, suggesting there might be potential for follow-up Argylle sequels or spin-offs down the line.
What Is Argylle About?
Argylle is a wide-ranging spy action comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn, from a screenplay by Jason Fuchs. In a humorous, self-referential manner, the story revolves around Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), a reclusive author struggling with writer’s block who unexpectedly finds herself living out one of her book characters’ adventures. The lead character in Elly’s Argylle spy novel series is Aubrey Argylle (Cavill). When Elly is mysteriously attacked on a train, she encounters a real-life spy named Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell), who reveals to her that she’s in peril because her books have an uncanny ability to foretell the future and expose the clandestine organization known as The Division.
In this rephrased version: Aidan accompanies Elly to London, where they search for a mysterious artifact called the “Masterkey” or “master file,” a fictional device from her spy novels that could reveal the real identities of spies. Uncomfortable with Aidan, Elly contacts her parents for assistance, but learns a shocking truth: her parents are undercover agents working for The Division. Now left with no other option, Elly embarks on a journey to Paris, where the storyline becomes so illogical and implausible that it pushes the boundaries of believability.
In France, Aidan and CIA Deputy Director Alfred Solomon (Samuel L. Jackson) disclose to Elly that she is indeed a genuine agent who has undergone selective brainwashing. They reveal her true identity as Rachel Kylle, explaining that the abbreviation “R. Kylle” served as inspiration for the Argylle spy novels she’s been writing.
Argylle’s Box Office Failures, Explained
As a movie reviewer, I must confess my disappointment with Argylle, a visually stunning film that boasted an extravagant budget of $200 million. With its vibrant production design, glamorous costumes, and eye-catching locations around the globe, it seemed poised to captivate audiences worldwide. However, upon its release in February 2024, the film fell short of expectations, both domestically and internationally.
As a film enthusiast, I found myself utterly disappointed by my recent viewing of Argylle. Not only did it fail to impress the general audience, but it also received scathing reviews from professional movie critics. The current Rotten Tomatoes Rating stands at a dismal 33%, Metascore is 35, and IMDb rating is a mere 5.6.
The film “Argylle” provides some entertainment with its playful, high-spirited take on the espionage genre, but it eventually becomes tiresome due to its complex plotline and excessive length.
In simpler terms, the extravagant appearance of Argylle’s movie overshadows its content, largely due to excessive use of computer-generated imagery that can appear comical when intended to be serious. Additionally, the complex narrative structure, which intertwines fictional novels and reality, left some viewers confused or disappointed. The intention to create a lively, visually appealing, and fashionable film didn’t always pay off, leading to the movie’s poor performance at the box office, casting doubt on any potential sequels.
The Future of the Argylle Universe
3 years prior to the release of “Argylle”, it was announced by Deadline that it would kickstart a planned trilogy of movies. In October 2023, Vaughn revealed to Josh Horowitz that the second installment in this series would be a prequel, set within Elly Conway’s first novel about “Argylle”. This prequel serves as an origin story for the dashing spy, providing insight into his background and upbringing. In February 2024, Vaughn further discussed the project, confirming that Louis Partridge would reprise his role as a younger Aubrey Argylle in a mid-credits flashback sequence. Henry Cavill delivered an entertaining performance in the first movie, but it’s uncertain if he will return for this sequel.
Ever since Argylle’s disappointing performance at the box office in February 2024, discussions about potential prequels and sequels have noticeably cooled down. Initially, I had envisioned a thrilling crossover between Argygle and Kingsman through my production company, Marv Studios, with aspirations to grow our cinematic spy universe even further. As per Screen Rant, there were plans to integrate a third movie franchise into the proposed espionage crossover, though specifics remained scarce. If another Argylle film comes to fruition, whether it’s a crossover or a standalone production, I must be mindful of enriching the narrative with more substance to avoid delivering yet another visually appealing action flick that falls flat at the box office.
While the outcome for Argylle remains unclear, Vaughn is persistently engaged in developing two upcoming Kingsman sequels. The film titled The King’s Man: The Traitor King will delve into the origins of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. On the other hand, The Kingsman: The Blue Blood will delve into the bond between Harry Hart (portrayed by Colin Firth) and Eggsy Unwin (played by Taron Egerton). Both movies are at present in an early stage of production.
Argylle is available to stream on AppleTV+.
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2024-09-23 23:01