Diluting The Brand..."Kingsman: The Golden Circle"

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

Rated R

Starring Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Hanna Alstrom, Edward Holcroft, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Jeff Bridges, Elton John

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The Story:

With the Kingsman organization in chaos, Eggsy (Egerton) and Merlin (Strong) head to the States and meet up with another unknown secret service organization: The Statesman. Together, they must foil the plot of the nefarious drug lord, Poppy (Moore) before much of the world population is killed by her poisoned merchandise.

In 2015, Kingsman: The Secret Service took the movie world by surprise, and was a critical and box office smash. I enjoyed it so much, it wound up as my 2nd favorite film of 2015, surpassed only by Ant-Man as favorite film of the year.

As 2017 draws to a close, the eagerly awaited sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is here.

However, as with most sequels, they rarely measure up to the original.

And in 2017, Kingsman is going to have to work really hard just to make the list, let alone come in 2nd place.

The fights, the soundtrack, they've already been done, so Kingsman basically had its own reputation to fight against.

It could be argued, that like Guardians of the Galaxy, the 2nd installment is a virtual retread of the original, just dialed up to 11.

However, unlike that one, which has an emotional arc at the end, this one just seemed to be dialed up to 11 and given an even longer running time with which to wreak havoc.

Cue extra scene time for Elton John and just a lot of extras that put this one so far over-the-top, it makes the first film seem like traditional spyfare at this point.

Sadly, the trailers ruin the fact that they brought back Harry (Firth) but it's a fine return to the fold.

Also amusing was the relationship between Eggsy and Princess Tilde (Alstrom) that could have easily been the throwaway gag of the first film but actually centers and provides much of the emotional distress for the 2nd.

All that said, there is an even more emotionally devastating moment in this film than in the first, and I was none too pleased with the decision.

I won't begrudge the studio a 3rd installment, but it just isn't going to be the same after this.

Final Grade: B-

Now That's A Spy Movie! "Kingsman: The Secret Service"

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Rated R

Starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson,

Written and Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The Story:

An underground spy network needs to recruit their newest member when one of their own perishes. Harry Hart (Firth) chooses Eggsy (Egerton), the son of the man who saved Hart's life years earlier. Eggsy is very rough around the edges, and not the gentleman spy that typically serves as a Kingsman, but Hart has high hopes. As the process of choosing the newest member moves forward, so does a credible threat from a multi-billionaire (Jackson) with nefarious plan to extinguish much of society.

I thought the film looked pretty good from the trailer.

It exceeded any and all expectations that I had, and will wind up on my Best of the Year list when all is said and done.

This one even gets a nod from the Mrs. as she not only watched it the first night, she sat through it again the next night when the kids moaned about having missed it.

That tells you the film must be pretty good.

And I have an extremely odd taste in what can be considered a family movie!

:)

Thoroughly British, utterly enjoyable, it's an updated take on the spy game that takes a lot of Bond and adds a dash of Bourne and spits out a wonderfully fresh and fun look at the world's 3rd oldest profession.

Give or take.

An amazing cast that has a blast with the material they are given is on display from the very opening of the film. If you think Colin Firth is only a dramatic or comedic actor, get ready for a revelation of Colin Firth: Action Star!

Seriously, he pulls if off in a way that defies any expectations you have of him.

Samuel L. Jackson appears to be having a blast as the villain of the film, and is both frighteningly evil and hilariously funny at the same time.

That said, hats off to Taron Egerton who gets to carry much of the film when Firth and Jackson aren't doing their things.

The franchise, should they choose to turn this into one, is his to enjoy for the next decade or more.

Vaughn, who notoriously stays away from writing or directing sequels to his work, is actually onboard for at least a second chapter of Kingsman.

Works for me!

Final Grade: A-

Here Comes Some "Magic In The Moonlight"

Magic In The Moonlight (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Simon McBurney

Written and Directed by Woody Allen

The Story:

Stanley (Firth) is a great magician who is called by an old friend (McBurney) to help debunk a young medium named Sophie (Stone). He's been trying, but seems to think she is legitimate. The more Stanley is around her, the more he begins to realize two things: she may be the real deal, and he might be falling in love with her.

This is a sweet enough, amusing venture by Woody Allen.

However, I'm not sure I can get past the age difference between the two leads.

Perhaps Stanley should have loved her like a daughter. Being almost 30 years her senior, that relationship makes sense.

So there's a creepy vibe that hangs over the movie the whole time, and it just didn't work for me.

Stone is fine as usual, as is Firth.

Truth be told, I love Colin Firth. Great actor, lots of fun. Does great in drama and is equally adept in comedy.

Make Sophie older, and allow her to appear older, and maybe, just maybe, the creepy vibe goes away.

Your mileage may vary.

The fact that Woody Allen has a past with young girls, well... let's just say that this movie helps remind  you of that fact.

As they lean in for the kiss at the end, I didn't meet that scene with a smile.

It was more of a recoil in horror.

: /

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: One and done!

Bait And Switch... "Gambit"

Gambit (2012)

Rated PG-13 for language and partial nudity

Starring Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Tom Courtenay, Alan Rickman

Directed by Michael Hoffman

The Story:

Harry Deane (Firth) is an art curator who is sick of his boss (Rickman).  So he decides to conspire with The Major (Courtenay) to dupe him into buying a fake Monet painting.  Their plan hinges on the cooperation of a Texas rodeo queen (Diaz).  But with all good heists... things never quite go as planned.

This is a fun little heist caper, written by the Coen brothers.

It starts off with a perfect retelling of what is supposed to happen with the heist as imagined by Harry.

Naturally, as soon as the wheels are set in motion...

Everything falls apart!

As with most heist films, I don't want to divulge too much.

The cast did a great job, and there's a couple of inspired scenes in the movie.

I would have liked a little more like those scenes with word-play or character actions/reactions/interactions.

That said, it wasn't too bad, and Firth and Rickman are both great in their roles, as usual.

Final Grade: B-...maybe a B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't think I'd buy it, but I wouldn't mind seeing it again in the future.