Kingsman: The Secret Service was a surprise hit. I remember clearly going into the film with little hopes, thinking the trailer looked like a generic spy film, but then as soon as the film started I was loving the film and it quickly became one of my favourite films in recent years. As soon as a sequel was announced I was excited and ready to return to this crazy, crazy Kingsman world.

The sequel continues to follow Eggsy, now he is a full on Kingsman agent. One day, when he is out-of-town, the Kingsman headquarters and all their houses are destroyed. Eggsy and Merlin travel to America to team up with their “American cousins” the Statesmen, in order to take the corporation known as The Golden Circle, who plan to poison the world.

Unfortunately, Kingsman: The Golden Circle suffers from a major problem of being far too similar to the first film. The film does acknowledge the first film in several really good ways, but the similarities plot wise and particularly with the villain’s story felt all too similar. The villain, played by Julianne Moore, isn’t given too much screen time so her motivation is not really clear. The film focuses more on Statesmen which again feels all too similar to the Kingsman.

Much like the first film, and every Matthew Vaughn film, the sequel has great action scenes that feels unique. Every single action piece is beautifully shot and has great and bizarre, unrealistic moments which are badass, making it feel even more like a comic book than the first.

Taron Egerton and Mark Strong return and are great. I said it before but I think Taron Egerton has a big future ahead of him and he has already made this role, this franchise is his and would be worse without him. The film has a fantastic cast, Colin Firth returns, Julianne Moore as the villain, Pedro Pascal, Jeff Bridges, Channing Tatum and Halle Berry all play members of Statesmen. It is a fantastic cast, some have more screen time than others. Pedro Pascal has a big role, kind of taking on the role as the Statesman version of Harry from the first film. I am a big fan of Pedro Pascal, he is extremely under rated but I am glad to see he is getting the attention he deserves by being put in bigger films.

Overall, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is definitely a good time, it is funny, has great action, a great final act but perhaps has too many similarities to the first film.

What did you think of Kingsman: The Golden Circle?

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