Kingsman: The Golden Circle – Movie Review

Kingsman: The Golden Circle – R
Release Date: Fri 22 Sep 2017

When the Kingsman’s infrastructure is destroyed and a couple of agents barely survive with their lives, they discover a secret allied organization: The Statesman. The Statesman are the US counterpart to the Kingsman and they band together to stop a worldwide hostage crisis.

This second Kingsman film from director Matthew Vaughn finds the same quirky blend of spy/thriller, action and comedy as its predecessor. It’s also as R-rated as ever, so expect the violence to be dialed up a notch from the usual PG-13 action fare.

Taron Egerton returns as Eggsy/Galahad, still charming and juggling life dating the Princess of Sweden. Mark Strong is back as Merlin. Julianne Moore – while not a Samuel L. Jackson replacement – does a great job here of playing another bizarre evil genius. She’s a female Goldfinger with a special place in her heart for 50’s entertainment and gruesome henchman punishment.

The Statesman are a mixed bag as they never quite feel integrated into the plot. Their scenes seem to come one after another as introductions and as wrap-ups. With Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges and Pedro Pascal it’s a lot to do and overstuffs the running time without a marked improvement in new favorites (jokes or characters.)

If you enjoyed Kingsman: The Secret Service, you should be satisfied with this new installment. For those who missed out and wonder whether this is for them; Imagine a R-rated Austin Powers written by Trey Parker and directed with jaw-dropping action set pieces.

Matthew, Aaron, Cal and I saw it in the theater and had a discussion in the car: