So successful it was that it’s no surprise that we are now greeted by a second instalment coming in the shape of Kingsman: The Golden Circle. From the onset, when you look at the blockbuster and interestingly assembled cast, for the second instalment, you can’t help but be excited and intrigued. Our favourite hero Taron Egerton (better known as Eggsy in the movie) and his mentor Harry Hart (Colin Firth) return and are joined by the likes of Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, Elton John, Channing Tatum and Jeff Bridges…enough to wet the interest of any movie follower.

Consider the above as well as a classy and James Bond like feel to it, Kingsman: The Golden Circle seemingly has the ingredients to become a super movie. So, does it live up to the bill?

Cast – Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Elton John, Channing Tatum & Jeff Bridges

Director – Matthew Vaughn

Genre – Action/Adventure

Running Time – 2h 21m

The Plot

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” introduced the world to Kingsman – an independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, whose ultimate goal is to keep the world safe. In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, our heroes face a new challenge. When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents’ strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy, in order to save the world, something that’s becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy…

Like the first instalment, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is less of a serious action movie and more of a flick that has action elements with comedic/funny moments splashed across it. It’s action sequences are ridiculous, high octane and fast moving, something that will endear it to many but might also prove to be a bit too much for some. Personally, I side with the former, I thoroughly enjoyed it as much as the first instalment. The fact that there’s nothing like it adds to its weird charm.

Despite all that said, I have to admit that the second instalment has somewhat lost some of the original charm that the first one had. I guess it is expected though, no two movies (even from the same franchise) can be the same. Even with its over the top sequences, the Kingsman franchise also features a classy and James Bond like feel to it that strangely makes one want to become part of…at least that’s how I felt.  

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is a great solid movie that delivers and definitely lives up to the bill. Granted the first instalment was slightly better (most origins stories usually are anyway), it doesn’t mean that this instalment is less special. It will not be for everyone but does make for a great rollercoaster watch for anyone with an open mind. One thing is for sure, general action junkies and those who enjoyed the first one will easily also enjoy this one. The gentlemen of Kingsman: The Golden Circle get a 3.8 out of 5 rating from me. Officially in cinemas next week Friday, go check it out!

Special thanks to MNet Movies (in conjunction with Ster-Kinekor) for a great screening!

Cast – Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alison Pill, Jake Lacy, John Lithgow & Sam Waterston

Director – John Madden

Genre – Drama film/Thriller

Running Time – 2h 12m

The Plot

Officially in cinemas this week (17^th Mar), Miss Sloane is based on a woman called Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain), a cutthroat lobbyist who revels on power and is a functioning paranoid. In addition, she is an adrenaline and pill junkie, she advocates for reducing taxes on imported palm oil for Asian governments but she finds a sense of morality and works to strengthen universal background checks bill against her employer’s position. She works against the Gun lobbies with their opposition team. She wins at first but hits a snag which was something she foresaw and have placed illegal measures to counter any offense and shape the outcome.

In reading the above you can’t help but think that there is something to it and you wouldn’t be mistaken. Despite that though I was a bit hesitant to give it a watch especially when you think that it’s just over 2 hours long and not much has been said about it prior. In the end though, the decision to go ahead and watch was a great one. It’s also important to mention that this is not an action-packed movie full of explosions, fight scenes, theatrics etc., instead what it is, is a movie with a great plot and a stellar cast to boot.

The movie is not perfect and probably won’t appeal to everyone, it’s more for an engaged and mature audience who watch for the content, acting and plot lines set.

In her role as the lead actor, Jessica Chastain does a fantastic job in bringing her character to life and making it as realistic as possible. Everything hinges on her character as Elizabeth Sloane who as mentioned before does whatever it takes, including crossing the legal lines sometimes, to get the job done. The movie is not perfect and probably won’t appeal to everyone, it’s more for an engaged and mature audience who watch for the content, acting and plot lines set. In addition, in parts it’s quite slow and takes time to get to the point but when it does up the ante it becomes a really good watch. A piece of advice, when watching, stick right till the end (otherwise what’s the point), there’s a nice plot twist that brings everything together and wraps the whole movie nicely.

Miss Sloane has a Goliath v David type of feel to it with the latter including a feisty and formidable woman who weaves her magic and bag of tricks to outsmart their formidable opponent. Will it appeal to everyone? Probably not but for the proper movie fan it’s worth a watch. Miss Sloane gets a cool 3 out of 5 rating.