Skyfall v Kingsman v Weekend v Pride

The common theme throughout all four of these films is masculinity, however the importance and representation of the masculinity is varied across the different styles and genres of the films.

There is an easier direct comparison between Skyfall, Sam Mendes (2012) and Kingsman: The Secret Service, Matthew Vaughn (2014), which are both action based films. Both films have male protagonists who through the use of gadgets, weapons and intense physical training have to find a way to save the world. The theme of masculinity is very stereotypical in these films showing the men to be straight, and able to use this dominant sexuality to seduce beautiful foreign women along their travels. Two examples from both Skyfall and Kingsmans would be:

(I am aware that this is not the scene mentioned)

Skyfall:
The scene, quite early on in the film in which James Bond visits the home of recently widowed gang members wives and goes on to seduce her in order to receive information surrounding her formers husbands industry.

Kingsman:
One of the final scenes in Kingsman in which Egsy fulfils his promise from the Swedish princess for sexual acts, and uses his forward 'lad' style approach to secure the deal with the beautiful woman. This is a demonstration of 'lad culture' in which is stereotypical of dominancy and masculinity in men.

Another theme highlighted more so in Kingsman, but certainly echoed in Skyfall, is that a certain prestige and masculinity is followed by those who are well educated and with money. Despite Egsy growing up in a more working class background, his 'potential' is only realised when he given expensive resources and training and turns himself into a more upper class gentleman. This is also obviously highlighted in Bond, as he is the most famous 'gentleman spy' however the point still remains the same. For most of his life Bond has been an orphan with very few family and friends, however he came from money so could redeem himself through the execution of mass violence and saving the world in the name of the Queen and MI6.

In contrast, with Pride and Weekend, the theme of masculinity is more associated with accepting oneself and with the more emotional side to being a man, rather than fulfilling certain stereotypes.
Weekend, Andrew Haigh, (2011) offers a more subtle insight into the representation of masculinity, playing out the usual conventions of a romantic film with the lesser seen storyline of a gay male relationships. The protagonist of Russell demonstrates the main outlet of masculinity as a theme, as he transitions from almost being embarrassed about his sexuality, to then being able to show a public display of affection towards his partner, Glenn.

The film itself mentions how heterosexual story lines are expected to be consumed by a homosexual audience, however the reversal is not widely accepted. This is realised through the box office totals for each of the films (USD):
Skyfall: $1 Billion
Kingsman: $414.4 million
Pride: $16.7 million
Weekend: $484,592


Pride, Matthew Warchus, (2014)  shows a direct comparison between the stereotypes of strong, dominant, physical masculinity, and the more vulnerable feminine, but resistant gay representation.
The story of this film demonstrates the positive message that solidarity is solidarity, and when someone is being wronged it is our duty as people to support each other.