James Bond and Kingsman both work within the same genre, and while the latter is heavily influenced by the former, the Mark Millar-created franchise actually twists many of the tropes that the 007 series created. It even improves upon them in some ways, making them either funnier or more realistic.
From character tropes to gadgets and the code names, there's plenty of elements that audiences have come to expect from a spy movie, thanks in large part to James Bond. And Kingsman went out of its way to ensure that these tropes felt completely fresh, once again.
The "Bond Girl"
The "Bond Girl" is somewhat of a tired trope for some, as each film introduces a new potential love interest for 007. While some have been incredible in their roles, others have been written as two-dimensional characters, with audiences expecting more from them.
But the "Bond Girl" idea gets flipped on its head in Kingsman, with Roxy getting a leading role in the franchise as an operative alongside Eggsy -- a rarity for the Bond franchise, with the women usually not even making the rank of "double O." What's more, the love interest role goes to Princess Tilde, who proves to be far more than a poorly written supporting character in the sequel.
The Gadgets
The idea behind the James Bond gadgets was that they had to be believable but still a lot of fun. Over the years, as the franchise got grittier, some of that same goofiness has been removed from the gadgets, with many of them reflecting now real-world technology.
Kingsman took the idea back to basics though, showcasing some of the best gadgets. They are totally ridiculous in their design, but from the bulletproof umbrella to the laser whip, the concepts are created with a lot of care and intriguing detail and they really enhance the action sequences.
The Martinis
The trademark drink of James Bond is, of course, the martini, which has to be shaken, not stirred. It's a joke that has been played again and again throughout the series and has been mimicked often. It's obviously not a gag that Kingsman could overlook, though.
Eggsy doesn't ask for a traditional martini in Kingsman. Instead, he asks for it to be stirred for 10 seconds while looking at an unopened bottle of vermouth. It's a brilliant line and one that takes advantage of the trope in a unique way.
The Secret Organization
The British Secret Intelligence Service is really the benchmark for other secret organizations in the spy genre. It's depicted as straightforward in James Bond movies though, reflecting many of the elements of a real-world intelligence company with a touch of sci-fi thriller.
The hyper-realism of Bond is paradoxical to the Kingsman Secret Service created in the newer franchise. It's almost fantastical in nature, dating back years with a rich history and a structure that pays homage to the Arthurian stories of British legend.
The International Rivals
James Bond has been known to have to form uneasy alliances with international rivals. The British Secret Intelligence Service isn't the only group working within the intel community, but the other organizations are rarely well defined and are more diplomatic allies rather than rivals on an ideological level.
But the Kingsman series sets up the American organization known as the Statesman, which stands for very different values. Although they do work together, they are also political rivals in a number of ways and have been kept apart from one another. This relationship and world-building is arguably a big improvement of what's been seen in Bond.
The Facade
The facade is a huge part of James Bond. The idea is that what's going on has to be hidden from the outside world. There have been all sorts of excuses as to why there's a spy organization hidden in London, as well as some of their international operations.
For Kingsman, though, there's something a little more whimsical about the way the organization hides its operations. A great example is the suit shop. Although it's where The Kingsman gets all of their clothing, it also feels like a tailor to anyone on the outside.
The Background Of The Agents
There's a clear economic class that both James Bond and the rest of the agents in the organization originate from in the 007 series, which isn't often deviated from. It reflects the real world but it isn't very diverse in terms of the points of view within the group.
For Kingsman, the bar was set high, as Eggsy is very deliberately from a working-class background. While the organization is built from those in the upper classes, it's proven that money doesn't actually act as a buy-in. This class struggle is a theme throughout the film, but it is addressed in a way Bond never does.
The Standard Uniform
The suits worn in James Bond are designed to look good. They are a crucial aspect of the character but don't have any larger purpose when generalizing the franchise as a whole. Despite this, the designs are still incredibly dapper.
For Kingsman, the suits are so much more than just a uniform. With blades hidden in the shoes, gadgets in the sleeves, and a coating of bulletproof armor, there's really nothing quite like the design of these impeccable creations. Here, Bond style has been taken to the next level.
The Catchphrases
"Bond, James Bond" is an iconic catchphrase. Of course, the franchise is quoted often though, with the "shaken not stirred" and "we meet again" lines living on in cinematic history. These moments are extremely memorable, but they don't always hold the same meaning, acting as general quotes that can be applied to many situations.
Kingsman, on the other hand, creates catchphrases that live on because of a specific character moment, becoming quoted specifically because of a scene, rather than a general one-liner. "Manners maketh man" is a great example, with the line associated with that first pub fight.
The Codenames
007, M, and Q are all pretty good nicknames. They describe the role of the character in the larger organization and the 007 title itself has gone down as the key spy nickname. They are clever in their origins, but they don't inspire audiences in quite the same way as Kingsman.
They've made their names far funnier by working in some of that Arthurian legend. Merlin, Arthur, and Galahad can all be found on the team, for instance, with the Statesman taking their names from alcoholic drinks, like Champagne and Tequila.