Manners Maketh Statesman.
141 Mins. Starring: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Bruce Greenwood, Elton John & Jeff Bridges. Director: Matthew Vaughn.
Stirring what was once shaken, 'Kingsman-The Golden Circle', the superb sequel to 'The Secret Service' takes that 'Goldfinger' laser aimed between Sean Connery's legs and splits 007 in two. And you expected him to just talk?! Forget Bourne, this is the new super-spy identity that could ultimately kill off Bond like Daniel Craig changing his mind yet again. Idris Elba may aswell trade in his 'Luther' blazer tacket for a whole new shirt and tie tux. Because after this everyone will want to suit up at Saville Row to be a Kingsman. It's Oxfords not brouges now for these knights. You know what that means. Why be a secret agent, when you can be a King? And after 'Kingsman-The Secret Service' came out of nowhere like hooded youths and showed you could turn an 'Attack The Block' chav into a world saving 'My Fair Gentleman', this new generation gadgets and girls grand royale was always going to grab at a sequel. And who would have thought that against the odds of all the turned up noses that snoot it would be another success story too? As the vintage British Avengers throwback for the Marvel age busts blocks and chops in the post-summer, pre-Star Wars fall season of big candy cinema to snack on that refuses to stop popping. And with a shot of bourbon from their American cousins, these 'Kingsman' don't only pass the bar they raise it like all your glasses. On par with the hearty original thanks to some up ante, at 'em action, 'The Golden Circle' brings it all back round as 'Kick Ass' superpower Matthew Vaughn does exactly that and more. Dynamite to a grenade gunfight upgrade, the 'X-Men' director gives us another 'First Class' original. As his new 'Statesmen' make a statement behind all the kings men that still have the makings of more than manners.
Tailor made for the hash-tag youth, this hi-tech app, spy game can take all those millennial eyes out the smartphones with their heads tilted to the right screen. The bigger picture is caught as soon as this movie and it's new leading man whistles for a cab. And all hail this Hackney that may aswell be the Wayne Manor Batmobile, as you see just how well it fares as he catches a ride with an old friend with a Terminator arm upgrade. A robotic prosthetic that looks that's straight out the futuristic like 2049 blueprint playbook of the blade running first film. And as these two old friends show there's no love lost between black eyes and bruised egos as they duke it out and go crazy to these kings paying tribute to the purple reign of the late, great Prince, the explosive, epic action here could hit and run for 21 straight nights too. And from a barrel roll call, shotgun introduction to some wild cats from Kentucky, riding ally like a gang of Felix's to this Bond of brothers. To a ski-lifting, snowscaped, amazing avalanche of action that is classic 007 like Roger Moore (Rest Peacefully sir). This movie has all the meat grinding, popcorn and shakes action, all the way down to the diner table order of an American dream theme park, candy coated villain lair in the middle of the cornfields of a nowhere Cambodia. And from the tie-pin to the tobacco spit, there's a lot of set-pieces at play under this umbrella. Even a classic pub lock-in scene call-back like so many other refreshing references done in heartfelt homage. This time taken to an all-American bar fight that is whip and skipping rope smart. You will want to bolt the door on this one. As even though it's no suprise (thanks to a parosel poster, teaser trailer and then all out reveal), it's an "emotional" (as those layer cakes would say in Vaughn's 'Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrel's'...it's not like I actually cried...honest) experience to see the former Mr. Darcy gone rogue, Colin Firth back in shaded bespectacled action. This 'Kingsman' franchise can kill off anybody. The 'Atomic Blonde' 'Star Trek-Beyond' and 'Mummy' star this series made Sofia Boutella. Samuel L. Jackson, who is in every damn movie and even here in flashback replay form. Even Sir Michael Caine. But not the king of kings, he's not to be stuffed and mantlepiece mounted like his dog, Mr. Pickles just yet. It must have been a blank as apparantly if Sam Jackson shoots Colin Firth's Harry right between the eyes after a Kentucky derby church massacre that silences everything expect the organs, then all Firth needs to go forth, keep calm and carry on is a Nick Fury eyepatch. But there's more raw reality to this Agent Caulson like resurrection even for this fetching far franchise. You have to believe it to see it, but boy will you love this butterfly effect.
Legendary as the knighted Firth is however. This is the students film now, not just the master mentor. And these Kingsmen are lead by former young prince, turned throne sitting matured Taron Egerton with the crown on his bounce. Decked out and attired in a cut cigar hot blazer, burnt orange smoking jacket. Ever since his Adidas stripes to pinstripes, chavs to riches breakout Taron has proved to be the next one. From flying next to the soaring charisma of Hugh Jackman in last years 'Eddie The Eagle' personal best biopic, to being shortlisted in the young star war for the Han Solo solo movie he should have been afforded for like Ford. But Egerton egging on Eggsy even further is cracking with cocky Cockney charm, as this young man completes his signature role with a mirror check tie straighten. Again he makes his name proud in an all-star assembling ensemble of bright light ones that even goes to Hollywood. Just like the ever versatile and reliable, hard-working Mark Strong who is "f###### spectacular" here holding all the behind the scenes cards with the magic of Merlin. But these Kingsmen are going to need more tricks up their sleeve as Oscar winning Julianne Moore's devilishly, wickedly good villain ('Still Alice' she is not) looks to get into the worlds populations nervous system more than a lisping Jackson's Valentine's implanted SIM cards. Especially with no love from a former 'Star Trek' admiral, turned Trumped up President (you remember what happened to Obama) in the form of a great Bruce Greenwood. That's when the statesmen come into this on the rocks mix with a twist. As their Champ kind, Champagne elder Jeff Bridges may have put a cork in his true grit, hell or high water action, but still knows how to wield a stetson and that trademark drawl draw delivery. These cowboys with Halle Berry's Ginger Ale, behind the screens action beside them (and so much more) really bring the spirit of YEE-HAH to this royal affair. Following his redneck 'Logan Lucky' heist this summer, Channing Tatum continues down this country road yet again in boot, buckle and denim. Killing it as Tequila and making us happy with a southern hospitality, all-action introduction that is a comfort greeting to the fact that inbetween some magic dancing from this Mike, he spends most of this movie on ice. Lying in wait for possibly the next sequel or series from this franchisee of a franchise. Instead amongst all the big stars it's the phone screen one in 'Narcos'' Pedro Pascal that steals the show with his maverick moustache and bolo tie. In a southern charm, charismatic performance that is as electric as the lasso he splits the bad guys with. But between all the metal K-9's and briefcase bazookas it's 'Rocket Man' himself Elton John as Reginald Dwight who really is the dogs wotsits. As your tiny dancer goes all Captain Fantastic, taking his name back from Viggo Mortensen with the single most gif worthy moment of the entire film. If this film has the man who wrote a song for the king of lions then it really does have it all bar a yellow brick road. And down the line only an unnecessary and gratutious Glastonbury staged scene can soil this festival of fun for your Friday night film. As this lights, camera and action bring two former allies together for one united state of Great British intelligence. Now we know about our boys but how about the Yankees? By this 'Kingsman' gentlemanly manner born, do these Statesmen have the makings of a spin-off series even if it is "very American"?! F### yeah! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Kingsman-The Secret Service', 'Spectre', 'Kick Ass'.
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