Kingsman 2's views regarding alcohol vs drugs is extremely bias, and potentially dangerously influential towards its younger viewer. The film continually reinforce alcohol in positive ways, while making ignorant and uninformed arguments against drug use, recreationally or otherwise.
Everytime Alcohol is referenced in the film (and there's plenty) there is a blatant endorsement of alcohol use. It is romanticized, encouraged, and reinforced as the drug of choice for a gentleman. Meanwhile, other drug use or generalized in a very vague way, and is negatively commented on repeatedly, as well as subliminally (as well as it can in its juvenile ways) asserted as something that will kill you.
Examples:
-Alcohol, especially whiskey, moves the plot forward in every instance, and serves as "inspirations" for our protagonists. It helped our heroes find the statesmen, it helps Eggsy find a way to cure Harry, and finally serves as the foundations for the new Statesmen. -Alcohol is also continually positively commented on throughout the film. Our heroes find it delicious every time they drink, and made sure to compliment it. When Tequila is brought out of hibernation, there is a close up shot of Ginger ale quipping "stick to the booze". Every display of alcohol is beautifully shot and magnificently lit. Epic music swells when there is a wide shot of the Statesmen's base, quite literally a bottle of alcohol, surrounded by barrels. There are many other subliminal reference to alcohol throughout the film, too many to list.
-Drug use however, is only shown in negative light. Besides being endorsed by the villain of the film, it is used literally as poison to kill millions of people. Its effects turning people deranged before a violent death. It literally makes you blind! Its symptoms are unattractive and off putting, and marks for its users for judgements from others. Every time there is drug use, it is shown in poor light: Eggsy's friend is using it while the news is showing it to be poison, Eggsy's princess girlfriend is shown smoking pot when she is utterly distraught and sad over their relationship. -The film's "defense" of drug use is that while there are those that are "innocent", it is only used as a crutch. The president's secretary comments that she uses it to help her survive the difficult job of serving a evil president, not to mention once again the drug usage of Eggsy's girlfriend. The film also can't help but to negatively comment every time someone is shown using. And at the end of the film, when Eggsy's friend is cured, he exclaims that he will never touch the stuffs again. Hell, the villain dies of an overdose!!!
Don't get me wrong. I don't condone drug use and drug abuse, and I drink like a fish. I recognized that I am as much a product of social acceptance as the film shows. But This isn't the way to combat substance abuse. To show favoring one substance over another in such a deeply insulting and dangerous way. This is as dangerous as the "war on drug". The film doesn't attempt to educate or shown substance abuse in a fair light. I realize that this isn't the film's job, i just find it disturbing that it has taken upon itself to preach a message it isn't prepared to preach.
If I'm reading this wrong... please discuss.
TL, DR: Alcohol is awesome, drug use is bad mm'kay?
EDIT: I apologize ahead of time if I come off as insulting or misinformed, I honestly don't mean to be. The film is fresh in my mind and this was something that bothered me.
Submitted September 29, 2017 at 12:08AM by tempurasama http://ift.tt/2xHOMqw
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