Haven’t seen Matthew Vaughn‘s R-rated action flick “Kingsman: The Secret Service” yet? Then you may want to click elsewhere, because a minor scene that has gotten everyone’s attention is about to get spoiled.
Vaugh, who also directed “Kick-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class,” defended his decision to end the 20th Century Fox spy movie with a princess rewarding the hero for saving the world by offering him — wait, are you still here?
Anal sex. She offers the rookie Kingsman, named Eggsy (Taron Egerton), anal sex.
“Some bloody feminists are accusing me of being a misogynist,” Vaughn told Entertainment Weekly. “I’m like, ‘It couldn’t be further from the truth.’ It’s a celebration of women and the woman being empowered in a weird way in my mind, which will cause a big argument again I’m sure. It’s meant to be tongue-in-cheek and crazy.”
Like much of the movie that opened to over $40 million while competing with box office juggernaut “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the moment is meant to subvert a major action movie cliché. How many times have we seen the guy get the girl after saving the world?
More specifically, James Bond would always get the girl, and the writers would use cheeky innuendos to make damn sure viewers understood that. Vaughn and co-writer Jane Goldman, however, decided to just skip the innuendo.
“I studied all the old movies, especially the Bond ones. At the end of ‘Moonraker,’ he’s floating around in space on Dr. Goodhead and they say, ‘Bond is attempting reentry.’ In ‘The Spy Who Loved Me,’ he says he’s ‘keeping the British end up,'” Vaughn explained. “The innuendo is pretty strong and always comes from the men. I just thought it would be great to turn it on its head by having the woman say it. I actually think it’s empowering.”
The majority of critics welcomed Vaughn’s take on the genre, but 27 percent counted on Rotten Tomatoes took issue with its propensity for vulgarity.
“The movie is so desperate to be irreverent that a captive princess says to the hero, ‘If you save the world, we can do it in the a - - hole,'” New York Post critic Kyle Smith wrote. “Isn’t it romantic?”
RogerEbert.com critic Peter Sobczynski described the bit as “not-particularly-amusing,” and feminist writer Tara M. Clapper listed several issues with it in her review for The Geek Initiative.
“It undermines the male lead,” Clapper wrote. “He’s treated women respectfully throughout the whole film — defending his abused mother, assisting [fellow Kingsman recruit] Roxy and acting as her equal, and fighting Gazelle as the serious threat that she is. Although the encounter is consensual, he’s still taking advantage.”
Vaughn said the joke wasn’t left in the movie for “20 percent who were offended by it,” and explained that while there was “a lot of debate” about it, the scene “just felt a bit flat” without butt sex.
“It just didn’t feel as brave as the rest of the movie is,” Vaughn said. “There’s not right or wrong about movies, but I was surprised when people are saying to me, ‘I loved the movie. I think it’s great, but I was offended by that.’ I said, ‘Really? That’s more offensive than exploding heads, massacres in church, swearing, people being cut in half?’ I was like, come on. It’s just a joke. It’s not even graphic.”
In a message to the “20 percent” bothered by the scene, Vaughn added: “Lighten up a little bit. It’s about pushing boundaries and having a bit of fun. It’s not meant to be offensive, and it’s definitely not misogynist or any attack on women. That’s for sure.”
TheWrap's 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015: From 'Fifty Shades' to 'Star Wars' and 'Spectre'
"The Last Five Years"
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Anna Kendrick continues her streak of musical roles with this big-screen adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's beloved Off-Broadway hit. "Smash" alum Jeremy Jordan co-stars. Trailer
Radius-TWC
"Fifty Shades of Grey"
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson's characters are set to become the next cinematic power couple in this highly anticipated adaptation of E.L. James' "mommy porn" hit. Trailer
Focus Features
"In the Heart of the Sea"
Release Date: March 13, 2015
Chris Hemsworth plays dashing first mate aboard the Essex, the real ship attacked by a giant whale that inspired literary classic "Moby Dick." Trailer
"Furious 7"
Release Date: April 3, 2015
Paul Walker rides one last time with Vin Diesel and his "Fast and Furious" family. We're eager to see how they say goodbye to Brian O'Conner. Trailer
Universal
"Avengers: Age of Ultron"
Release Date: May 1, 2015
The Avengers return -- much to everyone's delight. Admit it, including yours. Trailer
Marvel/Disney
"Pitch Perfect 2"
Release Date: May 15, 2015
Aca-awesome, the Barden Bellas are back! This time the a cappella troupe competes against international singers. High jinks ensue on a global scale. Trailer
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
Release Date: May 15, 2015
Its Comic-Con panel blew the roof off the place, and Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult look completely off the chain in the franchise's latest installment. Trailer
Warner Bros
"Tomorrowland"
Release Date: May 22, 2015
Brad Bird's highly secretive and highly anticipated project stars George Clooney as an inventor and rising star Britt Robertson as a teen who gets transported ... somewhere. Trailer
Disney
"Jurassic World"
Release Date: June 12, 2015
It's been way too long since there's been a "Jurassic Park" movie, and the franchise seems to be in extremely capable hands led by star Chris Pratt, who's proving to be our new favorite action hero. Trailer
Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello in a sequel to the stripping sleeper hit "Magic Mike" that's subtitled "Double Extra Large." So, yeah, we're excited. Look out for new cast and cameos in Amber Heard, Elizabeth Banks and Donald Glover.
Warner Bros.
"Ant-Man"
Release Date: July 17, 2015
Marvel rarely misses a step, and their latest stars unlikely superhero Paul Rudd -- who pretty much guarantees cinematic hilarity. Trailer
We have not seen a single still, behind-the-scenes photo or frame of video, but with Josh Trank ("Chronicle") directing this cast, we're betting Fox gets "Fantastic Four" right this time.
"Bond 24" no more, Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and the whole gang are back for one more James Bond romp, welcoming newcomers Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci.
Getty Images
"The Martian"
Release Date: Nov. 25, 2015
It's described as a cross between "Gravity" and "Castaway" and stars Matt Damon with Ridley Scott directing. Everything about "The Martian" screams prestige.
David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence are back together once again, which means it's time for another wacky, outlandish, probably Oscar-nominated film, this time about the inventor of Miracle Mop.
Getty Images
"Sicario"
Release Date: TBD
Denis Villeneuve is on a roll after the one-two punch of "Enemy" and "Prisoners" and this follow-up, starring Emily Blunt as a DEA agent, seems plenty promising.
Getty Images
"Southpaw"
Release Date: TBD
Following "Nightcrawler," Jake Gyllenhaal is on quite a hot streak and totally transformed himself (again) to play a boxer in Antoine Fuqua's latest gritty drama.
"Snowtown" director Justin Kurzel does a revisionist take Shakespeare's classic with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. This one is a no-brainer.
Weinstein Copmany
"Beasts of No Nation"
Release Date: TBD
Cary Fukunaga returns to features after an incredible run on HBO's "True Detective," and he's bringing Idris Elba with him, making this a must-watch on so many levels.
Focus Features
"Dark Places"
Release Date: TBD
Amazing "Gone Girl" raised anticipation for "Dark Places," also based on a Gillian Flynn bestseller. Add Oscar-winner Charlize Theron as another dangerous and mysterious anti-heroine, and we can't wait to peel back the layers.
A24
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Two Anna Kendrick musicals, Paul Walker’s final ”Fast and Furious“ and 22 more movies we can’t wait to see
"The Last Five Years"
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Anna Kendrick continues her streak of musical roles with this big-screen adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's beloved Off-Broadway hit. "Smash" alum Jeremy Jordan co-stars. Trailer