Monday, December 4, 2017

Quick Reviews: Kingsman- The Golden Circle

Another Film that didn't exactly 'wow' Audiences in America, but made a tidy profit overseas.  The fact that it barely beat It in Week 3(!) to be #1 and barely-stayed on top in Week 4 says it all...
The Kingsman are back to...immediately-open with an Action Scene.  While over-the-top, it is fun and does set up the Plot later.
This is Poppy.  She's an evil Drug Lord, Billionaire and (apparently) Robotics Expert.  She has an evil (if ridiculous plan) that I won't SPOIL.
Since the Trailers gave it all away anyhow, I can tell you that everything gets blown to hell!

Mind you, this Film is built upon Retcons, so who knows if the consequences will carry over to the next Film anyhow.
With no resources, our Heroes go to America and meet The Statesman.  They're here for the inevitable spin-off (and to help save the World).
The Film has a few surprises, even if they don't always pan out logically.  Again- no SPOILERS.
Can they stop Poppy?  Can they save the World again?  Can they bloat the Runtime to over 2 hours for no reason?

To find out, watch the Film...
It's not bad- but it just feels too familiar.  Let's run down the Check List, shall we? Opening Action Scene that directly ties to the main Plot?  Check.  Kingsman battle eccentric Billionaire?  Check.  Kingsman have to trick a woman into leading them to the Villain?  Check.  Henchman with at least one missing limb that is now a bit of a cyborg?  Check.  Villain's plan based on theoretically-good thing, but done in a terrible way?  Big check.  Over-stylized Action Scenes that defy reality?  Big, big check there.  Granted- there are some differences AND this Plot does build upon the last one.  That said, it does so with some pretty ridiculous Retcons.  The way they explain people being in this one that have no right to be is pretty ludicrous every time it is done.  Another thing they do that it is a bit much is giving their Celebrity Guest Star (playing himself) way too much Screen Time for what should be a Cameo.  That leads to the biggest thing- self-indulgence making the Film too long.  Seeing Poppy initiate a new member- fine.  Only seeing that guy again later to unceremoniously-kill him off- less fine.  There's pretty much no point to this or many other things.  If you loved the first one (like I sort of did), this will not disappoint you too much.  If you thought the Original was way too silly and violent, this one is arguably more so.  This one is mostly just more of the same, only dialed up to 11.
The first one really stands out for its visual style and absurdity.  The Sequels ups the ante...but is that too much?  Maybe.

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