I say this quite often, but 2015 really was a great year for spy movies. With two franchise continuations, a slick adaptation of a classic TV show, and Melissa McCarthy's best film yet, it was a time stacked with a delightful variety of espionage adventures. But no secret agent tale that year was more wonderfully engaging than Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Secret Service, an insane, gleefully violent dose of originality that parodied the Bond series while also doing its own distinct thing. I gave it a rewatch recently, and it's still an absurdly entertaining film and a truly great origin story for Taron Egerton's Gary "Eggsy" Unwin. After Vaughn's R-rated extravaganza caught on at the box office (a really spectacular $414 million), I knew that a sequel was inevitable. But this was the rare follow-up that I simply couldn't wait to see. I was thrilled to get the chance to have more fun in the Kingsman universe.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the very definition of a sequel with the mentality of "bigger is better." It's clear that Vaughn is working with a larger budget here, and he adds a massive number of A-list stars, such as Channing Tatum, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry, and even Elton John. He also ups the ante on the action to a crazy degree, giving us some major setpieces and some eye-popping visual effects. The Golden Circle is overstuffed, and running at 141 minutes, it's definitely overlong too. But despite the fact that Vaughn struggles to keep everything under control in the absence of a strict story template, this film is still a wildly entertaining ride, as goofy and anarchic and daringly funny as you would expect it to be. If you liked the first one, this is a welcome return to the world that Vaughn created. If you didn't like it, then you'll probably want to stop reading now.
Picking up a short time after the conclusion of the first film, The Golden Circle finds Eggsy (Egerton) settling into his role as a dapper Kingsman agent. The organization has come together after a near-catastrophic event, Eggsy is dating Princess Tilde (Hanna Alstrom), and Merlin (Mark Strong) and Roxy (Sophie Cookson) are holding down the fort. But after a dangerous chase with a former nemesis, Eggsy finds that there's a nefarious threat lurking in the form of a drug cartel known as The Golden Circle. Run by the psychopathic Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), The Golden Circle is an organization that controls much of the world's drug supply from a remote location in Cambodia. Despite her cheery disposition, Poppy is ruthless in her tactics, and has a plan to legitimize her organization.
But the first order of business involves decimating the entire Kingsman organization. Through stolen reconnaissance data, Poppy is able to unleash a devastating attack, one that prompts Eggsy and Merlin to initiate the doomsday protocol. The two spies find themselves teaming up with the Statesman, the American cousins of the Kingsman. With the help of agents Tequila (Channing Tatum), Ginger Ale (Halle Berry), and Whiskey (Pedro Pascal), Eggsy and Merlin hatch a plan to take down Poppy and eliminate the threat that could take out much of the world's population. But along the way, there'll be more than a few bumps in the road. Relationship troubles, betrayals, and even the reappearance of Harry Hart (Colin Firth), Eggsy's mentor who was thought to be dead after a brutal gunshot wound. Insanity and bloody chaos ensue in the fight to save the world once again.
For all of its gruesome, gratuitous violence, the original Kingsman also has a heart of gold, and that uniquely thrilling combination is something that extends to the sequel. The Golden Circle features neck-snapping, endless murder, meat grinders, and more, but it somehow never feels malicious or mean-spirited. Some seem to believe that this franchise's treatment of bloodshed is irresponsible and ill-advised, but I've never found it to be anything more than an R-rated cartoon, set in a universe that has no pretension of being "the real world." Kingsman is pure superheroic fantasy, and the fact that these characters are so likable makes it all the better. Eggsy's rags-to-riches journey is fundamental to the success of this series, and I was glad to see that Vaughn kept the focus on his personal growth, almost to the detriment of the film sometimes. Even with the excess that comes with the territory here, Kingsman is about the characters first and foremost, and The Golden Circle continues what the original started in noble style.
The movie's main problem is that there's simply too much of everything, which isn't the worst problem to have when you're a big-budget popcorn sequel. Collider reported last week that Vaughn's original cut ran a monstrous 3 hours and 40 minutes in length, so staggeringly long that they considering splitting the film into two parts. And maybe it's the fact that I knew this going in, or maybe there really is a tangible feeling of truncation to the whole thing, but I think there's just generally too much going on in this film for a regular running time to sustain. I sympathize with Vaughn though- I wouldn't exactly know what to cut. Everything serves a purpose in the overall scope of the narrative, and even if it feels a little bloated and jam-packed at times, there's a sense of satisfaction that comes at the end of the story that overwhelms the choppiness that came before. You can feel the messiness of the ambition dragging you in different directions as the story continues, taking you to a music festival, exploring Harry's amnesia, and even dabbling with Eggy's relationship troubles. But the whole thing is so much fun that it's hard to care that everything doesn't sync up perfectly.
Vaughn never seems to believe that this should be anything but unadulterated entertainment, and there's a sense of relentless pizzazz that keeps the engine on this film going. Whether it's Elton John dropping F-bombs and karate-chopping villains, or it's Eggsy and Harry eliminating some of Poppy's henchmen with the coolest gadgets around, The Golden Circle is a roller-coaster of delightful fun. The emotional gravitas of the story and the tragic consequences are always palpable, but Vaughn's kinetic energy as a filmmaker and his go-for-broke attitude are the real stars here. I just love the nature of the Kingsman world- the crazy sets (Poppy Land is a certifiable work of genius), the dapper suits, the insane choreography, the tremendous main theme by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson. As the movie equivalent of a violent thrill ride, this series works like gangbusters. Sure, the original tells a superior story, but what Vaughn has created is so thrilling that it's hard to disappoint.
It's also pretty amusing to see a bunch of A-list actors loosen up to have a bit of fun. Taron Egerton is the anchor of this whole thing, and I love the fact that we basically have a rough-and-tumble rendition of Bond in the marketplace. He's a good actor with charisma for days, and I wish he wasn't doing this ridiculous Robin Hood movie next. He's too good for that. Seeing Colin Firth in a violent R-rated comic book movie was part of the appeal of the original film, and it's still amazing to see how much respectability he adds to the franchise. His suave, mannered nature is perfect for the part, and his relationship with Eggsy is somehow even better in this installment. But Firth also gets the chance to play a butterfly-obsessed child with this character, and it's something that I never thought I'd see him do. It's a fun role, and he plays it well. And of the other returning characters, there's also Mark Strong, who is just so great as Merlin.
It was an interesting choice to basically remove the Kingsman organization from the equation for this film, and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it. The British charm was part of what made the original so great, and the strict hierarchy of the group was truly fascinating. That being said, the addition of the American agency opens up some fresh new ideas, and allows for great actors like Pedro Pascal and Jeff Bridges to kill it in small roles. And also, whoever learned that Channing Tatum can do a great southern accent should be given an immediate raise. Finally, Julianne Moore is a great villain, a pure sociopath in the most hilariously deranged way. It's great to see this franchise really leaning into the stereotype of the "Bond villain" and I can only hope that they keep this streak going with their next antagonist.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is immensely flawed, but as someone who loved the original, I had a big goofy grin on my face practically the entire time. It delivers the action, it has plenty of laughs that hit the spot, it's visually inventive, and its heart is in the right place. What more can you want from this film? Vaughn shot for the stars, and ended up with a solid double. It's a messy film, one that is somewhat overwhelmed by its bigger, crazier story. But that's to be expected with such a high-profile sequel, and to me, it's more impressive that Vaughn never loses the core of what made this risky enterprise so much fun in the first place. The Golden Circle likely won't go down as a spy movie classic like its predecessor, but after going on this outrageously fun, violent ride, I can't wait to see where these characters go from here in this maniacally over-the-top franchise. Bring on Kingsman 3.
THE FINAL GRADE: B (7.3/10)
Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the very definition of a sequel with the mentality of "bigger is better." It's clear that Vaughn is working with a larger budget here, and he adds a massive number of A-list stars, such as Channing Tatum, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry, and even Elton John. He also ups the ante on the action to a crazy degree, giving us some major setpieces and some eye-popping visual effects. The Golden Circle is overstuffed, and running at 141 minutes, it's definitely overlong too. But despite the fact that Vaughn struggles to keep everything under control in the absence of a strict story template, this film is still a wildly entertaining ride, as goofy and anarchic and daringly funny as you would expect it to be. If you liked the first one, this is a welcome return to the world that Vaughn created. If you didn't like it, then you'll probably want to stop reading now.
Picking up a short time after the conclusion of the first film, The Golden Circle finds Eggsy (Egerton) settling into his role as a dapper Kingsman agent. The organization has come together after a near-catastrophic event, Eggsy is dating Princess Tilde (Hanna Alstrom), and Merlin (Mark Strong) and Roxy (Sophie Cookson) are holding down the fort. But after a dangerous chase with a former nemesis, Eggsy finds that there's a nefarious threat lurking in the form of a drug cartel known as The Golden Circle. Run by the psychopathic Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), The Golden Circle is an organization that controls much of the world's drug supply from a remote location in Cambodia. Despite her cheery disposition, Poppy is ruthless in her tactics, and has a plan to legitimize her organization.
But the first order of business involves decimating the entire Kingsman organization. Through stolen reconnaissance data, Poppy is able to unleash a devastating attack, one that prompts Eggsy and Merlin to initiate the doomsday protocol. The two spies find themselves teaming up with the Statesman, the American cousins of the Kingsman. With the help of agents Tequila (Channing Tatum), Ginger Ale (Halle Berry), and Whiskey (Pedro Pascal), Eggsy and Merlin hatch a plan to take down Poppy and eliminate the threat that could take out much of the world's population. But along the way, there'll be more than a few bumps in the road. Relationship troubles, betrayals, and even the reappearance of Harry Hart (Colin Firth), Eggsy's mentor who was thought to be dead after a brutal gunshot wound. Insanity and bloody chaos ensue in the fight to save the world once again.
For all of its gruesome, gratuitous violence, the original Kingsman also has a heart of gold, and that uniquely thrilling combination is something that extends to the sequel. The Golden Circle features neck-snapping, endless murder, meat grinders, and more, but it somehow never feels malicious or mean-spirited. Some seem to believe that this franchise's treatment of bloodshed is irresponsible and ill-advised, but I've never found it to be anything more than an R-rated cartoon, set in a universe that has no pretension of being "the real world." Kingsman is pure superheroic fantasy, and the fact that these characters are so likable makes it all the better. Eggsy's rags-to-riches journey is fundamental to the success of this series, and I was glad to see that Vaughn kept the focus on his personal growth, almost to the detriment of the film sometimes. Even with the excess that comes with the territory here, Kingsman is about the characters first and foremost, and The Golden Circle continues what the original started in noble style.
The movie's main problem is that there's simply too much of everything, which isn't the worst problem to have when you're a big-budget popcorn sequel. Collider reported last week that Vaughn's original cut ran a monstrous 3 hours and 40 minutes in length, so staggeringly long that they considering splitting the film into two parts. And maybe it's the fact that I knew this going in, or maybe there really is a tangible feeling of truncation to the whole thing, but I think there's just generally too much going on in this film for a regular running time to sustain. I sympathize with Vaughn though- I wouldn't exactly know what to cut. Everything serves a purpose in the overall scope of the narrative, and even if it feels a little bloated and jam-packed at times, there's a sense of satisfaction that comes at the end of the story that overwhelms the choppiness that came before. You can feel the messiness of the ambition dragging you in different directions as the story continues, taking you to a music festival, exploring Harry's amnesia, and even dabbling with Eggy's relationship troubles. But the whole thing is so much fun that it's hard to care that everything doesn't sync up perfectly.
Vaughn never seems to believe that this should be anything but unadulterated entertainment, and there's a sense of relentless pizzazz that keeps the engine on this film going. Whether it's Elton John dropping F-bombs and karate-chopping villains, or it's Eggsy and Harry eliminating some of Poppy's henchmen with the coolest gadgets around, The Golden Circle is a roller-coaster of delightful fun. The emotional gravitas of the story and the tragic consequences are always palpable, but Vaughn's kinetic energy as a filmmaker and his go-for-broke attitude are the real stars here. I just love the nature of the Kingsman world- the crazy sets (Poppy Land is a certifiable work of genius), the dapper suits, the insane choreography, the tremendous main theme by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson. As the movie equivalent of a violent thrill ride, this series works like gangbusters. Sure, the original tells a superior story, but what Vaughn has created is so thrilling that it's hard to disappoint.
It's also pretty amusing to see a bunch of A-list actors loosen up to have a bit of fun. Taron Egerton is the anchor of this whole thing, and I love the fact that we basically have a rough-and-tumble rendition of Bond in the marketplace. He's a good actor with charisma for days, and I wish he wasn't doing this ridiculous Robin Hood movie next. He's too good for that. Seeing Colin Firth in a violent R-rated comic book movie was part of the appeal of the original film, and it's still amazing to see how much respectability he adds to the franchise. His suave, mannered nature is perfect for the part, and his relationship with Eggsy is somehow even better in this installment. But Firth also gets the chance to play a butterfly-obsessed child with this character, and it's something that I never thought I'd see him do. It's a fun role, and he plays it well. And of the other returning characters, there's also Mark Strong, who is just so great as Merlin.
It was an interesting choice to basically remove the Kingsman organization from the equation for this film, and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it. The British charm was part of what made the original so great, and the strict hierarchy of the group was truly fascinating. That being said, the addition of the American agency opens up some fresh new ideas, and allows for great actors like Pedro Pascal and Jeff Bridges to kill it in small roles. And also, whoever learned that Channing Tatum can do a great southern accent should be given an immediate raise. Finally, Julianne Moore is a great villain, a pure sociopath in the most hilariously deranged way. It's great to see this franchise really leaning into the stereotype of the "Bond villain" and I can only hope that they keep this streak going with their next antagonist.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is immensely flawed, but as someone who loved the original, I had a big goofy grin on my face practically the entire time. It delivers the action, it has plenty of laughs that hit the spot, it's visually inventive, and its heart is in the right place. What more can you want from this film? Vaughn shot for the stars, and ended up with a solid double. It's a messy film, one that is somewhat overwhelmed by its bigger, crazier story. But that's to be expected with such a high-profile sequel, and to me, it's more impressive that Vaughn never loses the core of what made this risky enterprise so much fun in the first place. The Golden Circle likely won't go down as a spy movie classic like its predecessor, but after going on this outrageously fun, violent ride, I can't wait to see where these characters go from here in this maniacally over-the-top franchise. Bring on Kingsman 3.
THE FINAL GRADE: B (7.3/10)
Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox
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