Kingsman 2:The Golden Circle

284 Kingsman 2

Plot

A year after the events of the last film, Eggsy is now a senior agent under the supervision of Merlin. When a new supervillain holds the world hostage with a deadly virus, she also takes out almost all of the Kingsman. Merlin and Eggy discover the Statesman, an American counterpart to their organisation – and that they hold someone very close nearby that are part of Eggy and Merlin’s past.

Direction

Matthew Vaughn’s follow up to his smash hit based on the comic book, starts with a bang with Eggsy showing his agent fighting skills, and Vaughn showing his direction skills with a very tight fight in the back of a cab.

While the action isn’t as frequent here, or as impressive as the first – Vaughn’s fluid CGI direction is still admirable, and he does solid work.

There is a little on the nose ‘de-aging’ moment for one of the senior characters during a flashback.

Cast/Characters

Returning cast are of course Taron Egerton as Eggsy, and Mark Strong as Merlin. It is great to see Colin Firth back as Harry, and the ingenious way his character is resurrected following his death in the first film.

New performers on the good guy’s side are Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges and Pedro Pascal. Pascal gets the most to do, with some of the others a little underused or ‘sidelined’ due to incidents within the screenplay. Michael Gambon also appears very briefly early in the film as the ‘New Arthur’.

It is Julianne Moore who gets my MVP as the villain Poppy who seems to be having a great time. She lights up the screen every time she is on, and it is clear she is loving every minute of her character.

Elton John plays himself in a very funny (if only slightly overdone?) cameo as himself. The irony that Egerton would go onto play him a couple of years later in Rocketman.

Screenplay/Setting/Themes

Once again one of the primary themes is mentorship – between Eggsy and both Merlin and Harry. Both gents took Eggsy under their wing and seem to have father/son relationship. This is somewhat strengthened in this film.

This film is a little funnier than the previous film, and has ‘dark’ comedy with Poppy in moments in her cartoonish evilness (the hamburger scene).

The action is not on par with #1 – and there is no equivalent to the ‘church fight’ scene in the first film.

Score/Soundtrack

There is a strong soundtrack, and two very prominent vocalists are present. Elton John (obviously) and Elton John. Mark Strong’s Merlin gives a (gulp) touching rendition to Country Road – and I test any of you not to choke up when you hear it after seeing this film.

Overall

On par with the first film, with plenty of great moments and a fitting ‘end’ to Eggsy story. A recently announced fourth film will be coming soon. Followed by a Prequel – to be reviewed soon.

3.5/5