'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' feels like its stuffing quite a lot into itself, even with its two and a half hour running time. I didn't feel bored throughout the film sure, but with such a long time frame, I expected some more depth with certain aspects with the many villains and heroes both new and old only to have some either sadly end up underwhelming or flat out eliminated before the halfway mark. While the original film had its own share of over the top and silly moments, 'Golden Circle' seeks to stay a little less grounded and instead goes for downright absurdity, for both good and bad. The action throughout never reaches the pure insanity of the original's, but they are nice, large, and explosive set pieces that delivered exactly what it promised: entertainment.
The film has recently come under fire and promptly criticized for its alleged misogynistic and tasteless violence and sexual jokes. Personally, I don't understand this beyond it becoming yet another media firestorm from those out there who can't find joy in anything and feel that they must protest. Now that that's out of the way, the violence is graphic in some scenes such as seeing a man ground into hamburger for consumption but read what I just wrote back. The kind of violence in 'Golden Circle' is so absurd and comical that I wouldn't be surprised to see it in an 'Austin Powers' film and really, its the silly nature of the violence that felt right in the 'Kingsman' universe. As for the sexual nature, I guess I just don't see things in the same way as others because other than a really stupid and forgettable joke involving placing a tracking device somewhere uncomfortable I really feel that the outrage over both aspects are just another example of exaggeration and let's be honest, that's supposed to be the movie's job.
The cast comprises of both new and old from the series, including Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, and even Elton John in quite a large role (and quite a lot of laughs as well). Moore's Poppy Adams is well performed, but mostly relies on the usual tropes of the 'happy housewife psycho' personality and her scheme seems a little too reminiscent of Samuel Jackson's in the previous entry. We have Taron Edgerton returning as the heroic Eggsy and he's slowly becoming one of my new favorites (He's looking to play Robin Hood next year which I'm all for.) Sadly, most of the newcomers in the form of the American Statesman are wasted here. Jeff Bridges is in the film for so little you'd swear it's a 'blink and he's gone' role and Tatum's role was sadly reduced during production leaving many a little disappointed. The worst of all is Halle Berry, who is finally in a film I enjoyed and she's left in the background for the most part.
Overall, 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' makes for a great movie night with your mates or one of those fun little Saturday matinees with your partner. It's silly, vulgar, violent, and full of explosions and gunfire. It delivers exactly what's on the tin, and I feel that most of you will enjoy it even if you soon forget it after.
((B))
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