Kingsman: The Golden Circle - Film Review

Kingsman: The Golden Circle - Film Review

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Posted 2017-09-21 by Jonathon Tonkinfollow
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the sequel to 2014 hit spy movie Kingsman: The Secret Service. It features returning cast members Taron Egerton, Colin Firth and Mark Strong. Entering the fray alongside them is the star power of Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, and Jeff Bridges. This cast come together to produce a film that hits all its notes with a timing which is as impeccable as the variety of suits worn by the Kingsman. Everyone delivers a strong performance while fitting their role well and not outshining the main talent.

Matthew Vaughn returns to write and direct this very suitable follow up to what was considered a bombastic, unapologetic and classic spy film. Vaughn doesn't hold anything back in the second serving bringing more of what everyone loved in the first film while hitting a more consistent flow and meaning. We still have the crudeness, the over the top action, the fantastic gadgets and the British sophistication but everything feels like it has more purpose this time round.

First things first, if you liked the first Kingsman movie then the sequel does everything you wanted. Go see it now, no more discussion on the matter. See you later. For those of you in two minds keep reading.


To elaborate more on that first point, The Golden Circle doesn't throw away anything that made the first film great while it maintains a better rhythm. Straight from the movies opening scene it gets down to business giving you the same unadulterated, fast paced action of the first film. A plethora of effects and a dynamic camera adding grotesque emphasis on an already very stylised movie.

Taron Egerton returns as the film's protagonist, Eggsy Unwin, now taking up his mentors' codename, Galahad. Taron portrays Eggsy as more mature and suave then before but still continues to show his chav roots from time to time. Egerton manages to shine through in his performance and holds his own against the acting calibre of the Hollywood veterans he's paired with. With that said, this film is filled to the brim with talent who all manage to fit well in this universe of exaggerated characters: Colin Firth as the wise mentor who has suffered a debilitating brain injury; Julianne Moore as the quirky and ambitious Americana obsessed villain; Pedro Pascal and Channing Tatum as the Kentucky cowboy style spies; and Jeff Bridges as grandfatherly leader of the American counterpart to Kingsman, Statesman.


Some praise also has to go to singer Elton John, who does more than just a cameo in The Golden Circle. His part I think will delightfully surprise viewers and his performance goes over and above anything anyone really expected of him.

One thing that stands out in Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the powerful score arranged by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson. A number of good modern rock tracks have been applied to many of the action scenes to give them rhythm and personality. In between these are expressive and grandiose concertos that really give Kingsman that epic and larger than life feeling that it's really trying to go for. The sound design really helps carry this film and helps set the emotional tone for each scene.

A word of warning that I have to deliver in regards to The Golden Circle is its running time. At 141 minutes it's not a short film. Luckily the pacing and content of the film is such that it doesn't feel like a drawn out epic that you need to slog through. Despite the length of the movie it still does suffer from what I call "things happening". Some of the plot points and conflicts occur or are resolved all of a sudden with no real feeling of tension or struggle. That said, this is rare and the majority of the movie does have a decent amount of build-up that makes the climax worthwhile and rewarding for the protagonist and the viewer.


Kingsman: The Golden Circle comes out on the 21st of September at cinemas worldwide. As stated before I'm giving a definite recommendation for fans of the first film. It's still enjoyable viewing for movie goers who want a light hearted spy film that can still be engaging and fun.

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86681 - 2023-06-11 07:26:23

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