Grab your lassos and tie your ties! The new “Kingsman” movie, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” premiered Thursday, Sept. 22. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, it’s the sequel to the original film, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014).
Reprising their roles as Harry Hart and Gary “Eggsy” Unwin are Colin Firth and Taron Egerton, respectively. Many new characters are introduced, however, including Poppy Adams, head of an enormous drug cartel, portrayed by Julianne Moore.
Also included in the cast are Halle Berry as Ginger, Channing Tatum as Tequila and Pedro Pascal as Whiskey. Even Elton John appears in the movie—numerous times.
While there are some of the same familiar faces from the first movie, “The Golden Circle” is definitely a movie of its own. Broader than England, much of the plot’s action transpires in Kentucky, USA, where the Kingsmen unite with our very own “Statesmen.”
One organization fronts as a gentlemen’s clothing store, while the other poses as a whiskey distillery. Both, however, contain a wealth of gadgets, intelligence and spy technology tracking the entire globe.
The film follows Unwin and Merlin (Mark Strong) as they combat an organization called The Golden Circle, led by the merciless, neurotic Poppy Adams, who goes as far as to turn her adversaries into hamburgers, and keeps John as a prisoner in her hidden lair.
Eventually, after teaming up with the rowdy Statesmen, both set out to stop The Golden Circle from causing a global catastrophe, as their drugs begin to demonstrate some never-before-seen side effects that are major signs of danger.
All of the actors succeed in delivering through their roles.
Egerton does a great job carrying the film with his on-screen charisma and chemistry with Firth, who adds a touch of class to everything that he does. Tatum manages to pull off the “Southern cowboy” very well, and Berry’s character remains endearing and dependable throughout the film’s entirety.
Perhaps the major stand-out of the movie is Moore, who is able to create a diabolical, sociopathic, funny and intriguing villain all at once. While, of course, John steals every scene that he’s in.
By the end of the film, drugs begin to look less enticing. But, a nice suit and a glass of Bourbon, displayed by the Kingsmen and Statesmen, never go out of style.
