Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the expected follow-up to the original Kingsman: The Secret Service movie. Eggsy saved the world from Valentine in the original and he is back to save us all from the next mastermind criminal organization, The Golden Circle.The story picks up back in England where Eggsy encounters an old nemesis from his training days in the first movie. And, the chase is on. We see the Kingsman organization is moving forward from the past events, but, as the trailers show, it doesn't last. Most of the organization is destroyed, leaving just Galahad and Merlin. With the executing their doomsday protocol they're led to meeting a sister organization in the United States, The Statesmen.
At the Statesman's facility they find Harry, Eggsy's mentor and the former Galahad, who had been rescued from the events at the church where, in the first movie, we were left to believe Harry was killed.
All that is easy enough to ascertain from the trailers of the new movie.
The action of the The Golden Circle follows in the same path as the first Kingsman and the comic (written by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons and colored by Angus McKie) they are both based from. It is over the top with gadgets and character capabilities. That is part of the reason it is so much fun to watch. In fact, a person sitting near me, after the movie exclaimed, "I should be repelled, but it's just fun."
The action fits the plot with being over the top. The Golden Circle is written to take the ideas of the spy genre to the extreme. It really doesn't matter how strongly in the real world it is based, because you are given from the first movie that this is going for the action that is beyond reality. But, not quite to the level of super heroes. Instead, we have super spies.
People are going to read messages into The Golden Circle, just like in the first movie. Removing the spy agencies into independent organizations that are not accountable to a government is part of what makes the concept work. You can always find themes in entertainment, it is what we do as consumers of books, movies, music, etc. I entered into this thinking it would be a bloody good time.
If you were turned off by the controversial scene in the first Kingsman, you are probably going to be offended by this movie also. Just like so many other parts of the movie the director, Matthew Vaughn, uses the platform to have some fun, even if some consider it crude. The humor fits with the setting and the characters. Of course, these scenes also provide moral messages that can be taken away, if one is willing to look at it from that direction.
Throughout the movie it comes across that everyone is having a lot of fun in making this movie. Part of this shows in the number of people who are participating in the cast, even for small roles. There is interaction between the actors/characters that leaves me wondering how much of what is happening is being done by improvisation.
The role I heard most people talking about on leaving the theater was Elton John. Not seen in the trailers, Sir Elton John plays himself as he has been portrayed in his public stage life. The comic relief he presents is a wonderful addition to the rest of the film. His introduction into the film is a second way the story was tied into the original movie (the villain makes the statement that with how Valentine was kidnapping so many celebrities they couldn't pass up the opportunity).
Looking ahead it has already been mentioned that a third Kingman movie is going to happen. Just like with the Bond and Flint franchises, I am sure there are a number of super villainous individuals who are going to try to destroy humanity and the structure of society as we know it. There is also early work taking place of a spinoff to see what is happening with the Statesmen.
Overall
If you liked the first movie, Kingsman: The Secret Service, you are going to like Kingsman: The Golden Circle. They are similar in style and theme and adult based humor. This is roughly 2 ½ hour movie is a release from reality to allow the audience to participate in over-the-top spy thriller.
I give Kingman: The Secret Service 3 ½ out of 5.
Also submitted to Utah Geek Magazine.
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