From left, Taron Egerton, Colin Firth and Pedro Pascal in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” a spy sequel directed by Matthew Vaughn.Credit...Giles Keyte/Twentieth Century Fox
Kingsman: The Golden CircleDirected by Matthew VaughnAction, Adventure, ComedyR2h 21m
- Sept. 20, 2017
“Kill Elton John!” is a line you’re unlikely to hear in the average spy caper, but “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” aims far above average. Like its 2015 predecessor, this latest visit with the British agents-cum-Savile Row tailors swings for the fences without caring whose head — or torso, or dignity — is shredded en route. Even if it belongs to Sir Elton.
In a plot as sloppy and extended as over-washed elastic, the singer’s cameo as the feathered-and-sequined pet of a drug-dealing villain named Poppy (Julianne Moore) is a ludicrous highlight. A homesick sociopath, Poppy has styled her Cambodian lair to resemble Eisenhower-era America, including a diner where those who displease her are churned into Hamburger Helper. (So that’s what the first film was lacking: cannibalism.)
Bigger, longer and — at an interminable 141 minutes — apparently uncut, “Circle” is an emotionally sterile lark, its wounds inflicted with brolly and bullwhip, a smirk and a shrug. Obliterating all but two Kingsmen in the opening reel, the story (by the director, Matthew Vaughn, and Jane Goldman) forces the leftovers into the protective arms of their American counterparts, cowboy spies with rolling hips and code names like Tequila and Champagne. Their presence, led by a strutting Channing Tatum, lends the action a homoerotic glaze that I choose to believe is intentional.
Yet in a movie as happy to resurrect characters as rub them out, nothing is of consequence, and the glibness grows numbing. As does the cocky masculinity: This is, after all, a man’s world, and women had better get behind or beneath them if they want to survive. Sir Elton will make it just fine on his own.
Rated R. Characters are minced, dismembered and distastefully probed. Running time: 2 hours 21 minutes.
As an action film, Kingsman: The Golden Circle does not disappoint. From its opening gonzo car chase through London to its Bond-style alpine fight scene to its delirious final assault on the villains, the hyperbolic action sequences are as breathless, acrobatic, and in-your-face as the original’s. But, as with the first film, the action is in service of a darkly funny, socially conscious story about a young man’s (wild) coming-of-age journey. Rather than rehashing the arc of the first film, the sequel wisely has Eggsy faced with learning new lessons instead as he struggles to balance his duties as a Kingsman with his relationship with his beloved Princess Tilde (Hanna Alström).
The first film was marked by its criticism of the British class system. In The Golden Circle, the villain’s scheme serves as a means to illustrate how drug use is the great class equalizer, something that affects people of all walks of life. To explain further would be too much of a spoiler, but suffice to say this film vilifies those who would demonize drug users even as it also awkwardly states that people shouldn’t do drugs.
The sequel follows the first film’s tongue-in-cheek exploration of Britishness with a rowdy, rousing take on America that generates plenty laughs and culture-clash gags. From their Wild West-style weaponry to their bourbon distillery headquarters, the Statesman prove an amusing exaggeration of the frontier justice warrior image America often projects to the world. The Statesman are a less refined (but notably more diverse) group than the Kingsman, marked by their cowboy swagger and rough-and-tumble methods. A key piece of music – a bagpipe rendition of John Denver's "Country Roads" – is aptly symbolic of the sequel’s clever fusion of British and American cultures.
The Golden Circle’s satirical take on America extends to its villain, Poppy (Julianne Moore), whose cheery, ‘50s TV mom demeanor barely masks her ruthlessness as the world's most secretive, powerful drug cartel leader. Poppy lives among the ruins in a faraway jungle which she's transformed into "Poppy Land." She grew up steeped in Fifties nostalgia Grease, American Graffiti, Happy Days so the structures within Poppy Land reflect the Americana of the Eisenhower-Elvis era. Poppy’s sunny optimism subversively needles America’s storied “can-do” spirit and relentless, capitalist drive by framing it within her vast criminal enterprise.
Moore, by far, gives the most colorful performance in the film, stealing every scene she’s in. Egerton, meanwhile, continues to prove himself a winning screen presence, Colin Firth shines in this more vulnerable portrait of Harry, and Mark Strong scores some very memorable moments as Merlin. As for the Statesman, Channing Tatum isn't in the movie too much as Agent Tequila, but he's great fun whenever he does show up. Pedro Pascal is the real standout amongst the Statesman as the whip-wielding Agent Whiskey, while Halle Berry is sweet albeit a bit underserved as Ginger Ale, the American answer to Merlin. Jeff Bridges’ turn as Statesman chief Champagne is a bit of a disappointment as it’s mostly an extended cameo where he parodies his own gruff cowboy persona from his past films.
Finally, it should be noted the Kingsman films are nothing if not self-aware, and The Golden Circle appears to want to atone for the ending of The Secret Service, which was widely criticized as being needlessly puerile and sexist in making Tilde the literal butt of a crude joke. The sequel has a similarly sexual but comedic scene involving a different female character that, rather than treating this particular woman so flippantly, instead results in consequences that must be dealt with. It was a smart call.
Verdict
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is as cheeky, cartoonish, and crazy as its predecessor, but it’s also commendably unafraid to demolish what had come before it if it’s in service of the story. The new dynamic between Eggsy and his team is great, and the Statesman prove amusing counterparts to these gentlemen spies from across the pond.
Is Kingsman: The Golden Circle worth watching?
This sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service has just as much slick, inventive, crazy action and is just as much fun. But while it's equally violent, it also shows far more empathy toward human loss.
Is the second Kingsman movie good?
Sign in to vote. 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' has everything fans of the first film could have possibly wanted and more. Action, humour and special effects are all in abundance and visually it's very impressive. The plot is decent, especially for a sequel, but it never quite reaches the same level as the first film.
Are there any inappropriate scenes in Kingsman: The Golden Circle?
There are two discrete references to anal sex, and a couple of vulgar references to sex in general. When one of Statemen's agents is frozen, he is wearing figure hugging underwear and the outline of his genitalia can be seen.
Was Kingsman: The Golden Circle successful?
Kingsman: The Golden Circle grossed $100.2 million domestically (United States and Canada), and $310.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $410.9 million, against a budget of $104 million.