Is 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' A Misfire?

Too much of too good can be bad. What can go wrong when Matthew Vaughn’s action flick overboard with star studded cast and too much action? It might just be too much of a good thing, indeed.

The film features Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Edward Holcroft, Sophie Cookson, and Hanna Alström reprising their roles from the first film, with Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Elton John, Channing Tatum, and Jeff Bridges joining the cast. The action spy comedy film is produced and directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), which is based on the comic book series Kingsman, created by Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar.

“Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” once again follows the British spy intelligence agency known as Kingsman and the members of Kingsman needing to team up with their American counterpart, Statesman, after the world is held hostage by a new threat.

Like the first movie, “The Golden Circle” is full of witty banter, funny situations, and over-the-top antics to keep the mood lighthearted. However, it received mixed reviews from critics, regarding the use of new characters, never justified returns and over-stylized action being met with a polarized reception and the 141 minute runtime being criticized. Elton John as Poppy’s piano-bashing is a consolation prize. Unlike the original “Kingsman” more star-filled but never ending silliness, gadgets, gimmicks can be exhausting.

The Golden Circle premiered in London on 18 September 2017, and was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2017 and has grossed $253 million worldwide.