[yasr_overall_rating]
When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.
Escapism. People watch films for escapism. Audiences want a place to go and get swept away from the reality that they live in, even if their lives are good or bad. People want to experience different settings and see different characters than the ones they are accustomed to. The state of the world is not at its best, and people know that, and I believe Matthew Vaughn knows that as well.
Every movie that Vaughn has directed may not have been Oscar-worthy, but they were for damn sure entertaining. As a producer, he has had his hands in films such as “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” both of which were gripping Guy Ritchie directed heist films that were fun and had a style that was different than anything done before. He directed one of the most underrated movies of the 21st century, “Stardust,” which in my opinion, is this generation’s version of the beloved classic, “The Princess Bride.” Vaughn then went on to co-write and direct the first film in the prequel trilogy of the X-Men film universe, “X-Men: First Class.” That movie couldn’t have been sculpted any more perfectly. He then dipped his fingers in the comic book world a little more by directing the superhero dark comedy “Kick-Ass,” a movie that really showed his directing chops by creating real characters, in real life situations that are not always pretty, and still inserted comedic elements in the film that did not feel forced and made the movie work.
But to top himself off, he delivered the best spy film since “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” which was “Kingsman: The Secret Service.” This, in my opinion, is the most fun spy movie ever made. Vaughn created interesting and unique characters that made viewers relate to them and care about them. The dialogue was clever and funny, and the action was just balls to the wall insane. The film was not only a critical success, but it was also a box office hit. This garnered it a sequel in which Matthew Vaughn wrote and directed and hits theaters September 22nd. “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” is that sequel, and it brings back all of the components from the first film and adds a little more magic to the series, but it doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor.
Vaughn has once again created a movie filled with over-the-top moments, smart and witty dialogue, and insane action sequences. “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” cranks the absurdness, dark humor, and violence up several more notches than the first film of the series, but still, has the heart and subtle moments like the first movie. There are several plot points and scenes that are a little too reminiscent of “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” and some certain cameos that are very unnecessary, but even with a few flaws, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” is still an exciting and good time in the theater.
The Golden Circle pretty much destroys everything that we learned about the Kingsman in the first film, after all the agents’ homes and the Kingsman headquarter are destroyed by an unknown drug cartel, which then holds the world hostage. The Kingsman have to head to Kentucky in the U.S. to find their sister spy organization, The Statesman. These two unsimilar allies must join forces to defeat a psychotic and ruthless enemy to save the world.
The action of the film is everything I wanted from the sequel and so much more. “Kingsman: The Secret service” delivered one of the greatest action scenes I have ever seen, with the famous Church scene, and while I was not expecting a scene of that greatness, the sequel came very close several times of letting me relive that moment. The first scene of the flick is a visually stunning car chase through London, and just different than any scene that came before it. The final action scene of the film is unhinged, and up in your face action that is just breathtaking. The film is a roller coaster ride of thrilling moments that’ll keep you in your seat until the credits begin rolling.
My favorite aspect of the movie was the Americanized version of the Kingsman, the Statesman. The representation of the Statesmen was a rowdy, and rousing take on America that definitely generates laughs and entertainment. While the Kingsman organization was disguised as a tailoring company, the Americans are disguised as a whiskey distillery and have wild-west weaponry and portrayed the perfect image of the American cowboy. It was just very unique to witness two different sides of the world and their ideas mesh together, especially since they all want to accomplish the same goal.
The Statesman wasn’t the only sardonic take on America this film had to offer, because the main villain, Poppy, (Julianne Moore) has a poodle dress-wearing personality with a mentally insane twist. Poppy is a drug cartel leader worth billions of dollars but is secluded in a jungle far away from civilization. She has transformed the ruins she stays in, into “Poppy Land.” The structures of “Poppy Land” are built upon the nostalgia of the 1950s with diners and buildings of that nature. Moore gives a colorful, and overblown performance that works in the context of this story, but will definitely not resonate with all people.
Taron Edgerton once again proves himself to be an onscreen sensation but adds a little more heart to his character. Colin Firth really relishes his moments when he is playing a vulnerable version of Harry but is still intense and suave like he was in the first film. Mark Strong’s Merlin has a lot more time to shine in the film which leads to several memorable scenes. Channing Tatum plays Agent Tequila but is maybe in the film for ten minutes. But those ten minutes are really fun because of him, even if he is phoning it in. Pedro Pascal was the real standout for me of the whole movie. His role as Agent Whiskey may help him land bigger roles in the near future, I will definitely be keeping my eye on him. Halle Berry was pretty much a one-note character and I didn’t really care for her in the film. Jeff Bridges was disappointing only because he was barely in the film. When he was on screen, he just played his old cowboy persona from past films, which is still fascinating to watch. Overall, I thought the characters were fun and well developed and can’t wait to see them again.
There were some instances in the film that felt rehashed from the first such as some sexual aspects that I would rather not get into, and a death scene that felt very reminiscent of a death scene in the first. But the big repeated feeling I felt was the villain, and villain’s scheme to end the world. Both Samuel L. Jackson’s character in the first film and Julianne Moore’s from the second were very over-the-top and had quirky characteristics to them. Both were very brilliant, but Moore’s was definitely more insane. Their schemes were similar in the sense that they were going to kill everyone in the world who has a cell phone or take drugs. It didn’t bother me that much but it is something to point out. The most frustrating aspect of the entire film was Sir Elton John. It is perfectly fine to have him appear in a cameo or two, but when he is literally playing himself and is not a character that truly matters I do not want to see him every fifteen minutes. Besides these few points, there were not too many flaws.
In conclusion, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” is a cheeky, cartoonish, action-packed, blockbuster that is more delirious than its predecessor, but not necessarily better. The film definitely ramps up its over-the-top visuals, action, and campiness from a 5 to an 11, but several beats from the story aren’t as smooth as the first film. The new dynamic between the characters we loved from the first film is great, and the Statesman prove to be amusing and just as fun as the gentlemen from London. This might not be the best film Matthew Vaughn has directed, but it for sure is one of the most fun, and I cannot wait to see it again!
In theaters Friday, September 22nd
