Film Review - Kingsman: The Golden Circle (15)

We're from the Kingsman tailor's shop in London. Maybe you've heard of us?

2014 brought us Kingsman: The Secret Service, a comedy spy thriller based on the British Kingsman comic books. It introduced us to Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin (Taron Egerton), a track-suited petty criminal, who was effectively adopted by Colin Firth's dapper secret agent Harry Hart (code name 'Galahad'). He was then trained as one of the 'Kingsmen', an ancient and clandestine spy organisation operating from a Savile Row tailor's. It was daft, cartoony fun, like Pierce Brosnan's James Bond on steroids and even more tongue-in-cheek. It also had the enjoyable conceit of a chavvy hero made over into a pinstripe-wearing gentleman. 'Manners maketh man,' Eggsy was advised by his classy mentor, who saw past the baseball cap and bling to the potential 'Kingsman' beneath.

In Kingsman: The Golden Circle the franchise is firmly established, Eggsy having completed his training and more than proven his worth in the field. The result is an opening that plunges us straight into wild, splendidly choreographed action that takes in most of Central London. Egerton is tailored to the nines and fighting for his life against an unexpected opponent in seconds. Soon after, a certain seismic event has Eggsy and the Kingsmen's gadget guru Merlin (the always welcome Mark Strong) flying out to the USA to team up with their American counterparts the Statesmen, so they can pit themselves against a threat of global proportions. Julianne Moore is the demented master-villain of the piece, and her insane plan is already in motion. 

It's all preposterous fun, and any doubts I had about the wisdom of revisiting the world were rapidly dispelled. This is largely to do with the script, that like the first film invest proceedings with a huge amount of (sometimes dubious) wit and charm. Director Matthew Vaughn co-wrote once more with Jane Goldman (who also did great things with The Limehouse Golem) and they're an impressive proven team. Their greatest call is to hook up our London heroes with their American cousins, broadening the storytelling canvas and revisiting the UK/US culture clash in a fresh and entertaining way. Everything down to the code-names of their Kentucky-based comrades-in-arms is a delight.

Eggsy is even more likeable second time around, Egerton's performance served by a script that makes him all-round loyal - to colleagues, old friends, girlfriend - rather than a casual Bond-style player. He has strong back-up from the suave Brits, while Pedro Pascal is the standout of the US crowd (Game of Thrones devotees will know him as the vengeful Oberyn Martell), wielding an electronically enhanced lasso as his weapon of choice.

All these novelties are welcome, as the tropes of the Kingsman franchise are already firmly established. The tech is total science fiction, the action both balletic and lethal and the villains gleefully flamboyant. The movie risks sameness with its original, but is kept fresh at every point by attention to detail and by pushing each ludicrous premise to busting point. Take Julianne Moore's villain's lair - a garish theme-park tribute to classic Americana. More silly than sinister, even when the most vicious acts are being carried out there.

Ultimately this Kingsman sequel was much more enjoyable than it had any right to be. It certainly pressed all the buttons of a first-night audience, who judging by their laughs and gasps of recognition were largely well-acquainted with the original. Cram it and then go see the new one. As wastes of time go, it's a really good one.

Gut Reaction: A lot of smiles and quite a few lols, including some guilty ones. And surprisingly one or two moments that moved. Oh, and I want Eggsy's tangerine DJ.

Ed's Verdict: An evening of good, daft, throwaway fun - no more, no less. And while I'm not proud of it, a certain extended celebrity cameo made me laugh.