Kingsman: The Golden Circle: Review

Kingsman: The Golden Circle sees the return of director Matthew Vaughn - following his surprise hit Kingsman: The Secret Service. Kingsman: The Golden Circle follows a matured Eggsy (Taron Egerton) alongside Merlin (Mark Strong) - who must join forces with their american cousins - Statesmen - after the fall of the entire agency. With the rising threat of a new villain - the two must work together in order to take down the dreaded underworld organisation - The Golden Circle. 

​Vaughn amplifies unique action in substitute for the original's stylish edge. Cranking it up to one thousand miles per hour - the opening sees a strapping young Kingsman (Eggsy), battle against an evil henchman with a bionic arm - zooming past the streets of London to Prince's 'Let's Go Crazy'. Vaughn quickly reminds us how much we've missed the umbrella swinging gents. And once again creates a cheeky, boyish and downright fun romp.

Once the dust settles and the guns quieten - the goofy tone grows tiring fairly quick. Though intended as a 'spoof' on the genre - Kingsman's charm, aberrant style and element of surprise is the reason most view it as a genuine 'spy' flick. The Golden Circle finds colourful, new ideas that struggle to shine through an over clustered story. 

Electrifying action set pieces, quirky new characters, insane gagets and an unnerving villain - are all ingredients that should have made this sequel sweet. All the pieces were there - Vaughn just struggled to click them into place - leaving a more salty after taste. 

Juliane Moore displays first class acting from her super villain 101 lesson. The carnivorous cutie is aggravatingly underused and given a mere fraction of the screen time she most rightly deserves. Her unsettling nature and unpredictability along with a retro 50's gimmick - easily makes her the film's greatest element. Egerton performs as perfectly as you'd except and the return of Colin Firth sees a more vulnerable yet emotive character. The Statesmen too upsettingly underused, crack electric whips, brilliant one liners and offer an ironic British look at life across the pond. 

The Golden Circle's social commentary yet again sparks various thoughts on how we view modern society - but draws more laughter than meaning. Aside the imbalance of jokes and tension - Vaughn creates a sequel that's extra baggage has noticeable impact.

More of the same would have been just the touch this eccentric series needed. The bits that work best happen to be what we have already received i.e. manner maketh man bar scene, exhilarating car chases and action packed fight sequences. Thinly plotted, poorly crafted, and a celebrity cameo that will make you laugh at least the first four times they appear. The Golden Circle - delivers on Kingsman's zany style but jumbles  ideas that just don't click second time round. 

I am going to give Kingsman: The Golden Circle:

6/10