It felt like 2014’s Kingsman: The Secret Service flew a little under the radar – which was something of a surprise given that it was one of the better action films of the year.
The tables have turned a little for the hotly-anticipated sequel, The Golden Circle, with expectations through the roof this time around.
Let’s get one thing out of the way first; there has been a massive spoiler regarding a big character in pretty much every piece of marketing material you’ll have seen for the Matthew Vaughn-directed action offering.
If you’ve been fortunate enough to dodge the trailers, make sure you keep doing so as I can guarantee it’ll improve your experience at the cinema. I’ll not repeat the spoiler (for what it’s worth), but I really wish I’d gone into the film in the dark.
Anyway, The Golden Circle is still a strong sequel.
It wastes little time in tearing down the world it superbly established in the original, while also keeping some entertaining elements intact (my favourite being that Eggsy is now in a relationship with Princess Tilde).
After an awesome opening sequence that sees The Kingsman – including Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) – come under attack at the hands of a mysterious drug cartel, they are forced to turn to their American cousins The Statesman for help.
Now, if the original poked fun at the British class system, the American stereotypes are on overdrive this time around.
Based in a Kentucky bourbon distillery and wielding Wild West-style weapons, they’re essentially a walking cowboy cliché.
Channing Tatum’s Agent Tequila and Pedro Pascal’s Agent Whiskey are both hugely entertaining, while Halle Berry and Jeff Bridges add gravitas despite being a little underused.
The villain this time around is the always excellent Julianne Moore, who lives in a wacky 1950s bubble.
She may come across as a happy character, but she’s as ruthless as they come.
Her plan is to threaten the lives of countless people in a bid to get the drug trade legalised. So she naturally becomes the target of the Kingsman and Statesman coalition.
In truth, this sequel does follow a similar patter to the original. There’s another hi-octane bar fight scene, another one-man killing spree shot at full-throttle speed and another ‘end boss’ battle that is as inventive as it is brutal.
It’s also worth noting that the opening action sequence is breathlessly brilliant.
In short, it’s very much a case of the same stuff again, only on steroids.
If you loved that film, you’ll lap this up too. Egerton once again shines as Eggsy, with Moore also putting in a scene-stealing showing.
Of the Statesman, Pascal enjoys a couple a stand-out scenes, while Tatum wasn’t as prominent as I had imagined.
Ultra-violent and full of dark humour, The Golden Circle is certainly an acquired taste.
But it’s a fine sequel that would have been great if not for shooting itself in the foot with a needless spoiler.
Voice Verdict: 8.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Breathless action sequences
+ Huge cast that delivers
+ Builds on the original well
– Trailer spoiler
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Sept 29 to Thurs, Oct 5)
**BLADE RUNNER 2049 (15)
8pm (Thu)
**GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG)
1pm (Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (Sat/Sun), 6pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)
**FLATLINERS (15)
6pm (not Tues), 8.45pm (daily)
KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (15)
11.20pm (Sat/Sun), 2.20pm (Sat/Sun), 5.20pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)
VICTORIA AND ABDUL (PG)
5.40pm (not Wed), 8.15pm (Fri/Sat/Wed)
THE JUNGLE BUNCH (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), 11.50am (Sat), 12.30pm (Sun), 2.50pm (Sat/Sun)
STEPHEN KING’S IT (15)
11am (Sunday), 2pm (Sat/Sun), 5pm (Daily), 8pm (not Thu)
THE EMOJI MOVIE (U)
2D – 10am (Sat/Sun), Noon (Sat/Sun), 2.30pm (Sat)
KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.15am – Cars 3(U)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Victoria & Abdul (PG)
SUBTITLED SHOWING
Tuesday 5.40pm – Kingsman: The Golden Circle (15)
**FREE LIST SUSPENDED
