Kingsman: A Golden Letdown
Kingsman: The Golden Circle, is bigger, badder, faster and furiouser. The problem is it expands on the overblown action of the first Kingsman but doesn't feature the same charm and entertaining snark of the first film. It is only, after all, a sequel: i.e. not as good as the first with repeated themes and plot lines. The action scenes, however, are still spectacular.
This time out, the plot has so many lasso holes that it's a distraction. Even in fantasy and spy films you need to have some internal logic. The logic here doesn't work. They make up too many fantastic explanations for the action that it doesn't make sense and I started to wonder why they bothered with the plot at all. Again, and I repeat myself, the rush to make a sequel led to a script that was ill-conceived and shoddy.
The parts that return aren't as good. Eggsy, played by Taron Egerton, is now jaded and arrogant. He lost the charm and naiveté that made the first Kingsman so endearing. The subplots are ridiculous and cringe worthy. I am not a prude, but the way they handle the planting of a bug was stupid and adolescent. If I wanted stupid and adolescent, I would watch The Hangover. And by the way, there is mucous in the mouth.
Jeff Bridges' part was terrible and underwritten. Tatum Channing is...Tatum Channing, a hot piece of flesh but not a credible spy. Halle Barry plays a spy who can't get a promotion and is under-utilized, kind of like an underutilized Oscar winning actress. Colin Firth's Harry is written so the actor can sleep walk like an amnesiac through the film. Mark Strong retains his dignity as Merlin, and his small part might be why. The real winner is Pedro Pascal, who plays the Statesmen's agent Whiskey. His screen presence is reminiscent of a younger Burt Reynolds. You know, when Reynolds was charming and on top. The Elton John cameo is worth a view. It will play on Youtube within the year, I suspect. Look for it there.
And the romance? If I wanted an insipid romance, I would watch "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." Okay, it wasn't that bad, but it was unnecessary filler and cringe worthy. What they could have done is give us more backstory with Poppy and the amusing Julianne Moore. Moreover, Poppy's set piece is hilarious and amazing. Too bad they didn't use some of that money for a script rewrite.
Rating: Rental The film has a few amusing parts and the fight scenes are worth watching on Netflix, if you have time.
Peace, Tex Shelters
Kingsman: The Golden Circle, is bigger, badder, faster and furiouser. The problem is it expands on the overblown action of the first Kingsman but doesn't feature the same charm and entertaining snark of the first film. It is only, after all, a sequel: i.e. not as good as the first with repeated themes and plot lines. The action scenes, however, are still spectacular.
This time out, the plot has so many lasso holes that it's a distraction. Even in fantasy and spy films you need to have some internal logic. The logic here doesn't work. They make up too many fantastic explanations for the action that it doesn't make sense and I started to wonder why they bothered with the plot at all. Again, and I repeat myself, the rush to make a sequel led to a script that was ill-conceived and shoddy.
The parts that return aren't as good. Eggsy, played by Taron Egerton, is now jaded and arrogant. He lost the charm and naiveté that made the first Kingsman so endearing. The subplots are ridiculous and cringe worthy. I am not a prude, but the way they handle the planting of a bug was stupid and adolescent. If I wanted stupid and adolescent, I would watch The Hangover. And by the way, there is mucous in the mouth.
Jeff Bridges' part was terrible and underwritten. Tatum Channing is...Tatum Channing, a hot piece of flesh but not a credible spy. Halle Barry plays a spy who can't get a promotion and is under-utilized, kind of like an underutilized Oscar winning actress. Colin Firth's Harry is written so the actor can sleep walk like an amnesiac through the film. Mark Strong retains his dignity as Merlin, and his small part might be why. The real winner is Pedro Pascal, who plays the Statesmen's agent Whiskey. His screen presence is reminiscent of a younger Burt Reynolds. You know, when Reynolds was charming and on top. The Elton John cameo is worth a view. It will play on Youtube within the year, I suspect. Look for it there.
And the romance? If I wanted an insipid romance, I would watch "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." Okay, it wasn't that bad, but it was unnecessary filler and cringe worthy. What they could have done is give us more backstory with Poppy and the amusing Julianne Moore. Moreover, Poppy's set piece is hilarious and amazing. Too bad they didn't use some of that money for a script rewrite.
Rating: Rental The film has a few amusing parts and the fight scenes are worth watching on Netflix, if you have time.
Peace, Tex Shelters