I greatly enjoyed the Kingsman when I first saw it. It was this perfect blend of Bond films with comic book level violence and lots of swearing. It wasn’t afraid to have fun with its concept, and remind the world that these style of movies are just supposed to be fun.

The sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is more of the same, and has a fantastic cast (including Sir Elton John).

This time out Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) are the only survivors after an attack on Kingsman locations and allies. Eggsy is also trying to keep his relationship with Tilde (Hanna Alstrom) on track, despite the requirements of his role as a spy.

Chasing up a lead, the pair make contact with their brother organization in America, The Statesman, headed by Champ (Jeff Bridges) and also includes Tequila (Channing Tatum), their top agent, Whiskey (Pedro Pascal), and Ginger Ale (Halle Berry). And safely tucked away in a Statesman facility, Harry (Colin Firth), though he doesn’t remember who he is.

Together, they have to figure out a way to stop Poppy (Julianne Moore) who is a drug dealer with a plan. She’s spiked all of her products, and anyone who uses them suffers a blue rash, mania, paralysis and then death.

Can they find a way to save the world (again)?

Hilariously funny and over the top, everything is bigger, louder, and occasionally more crass than the films it pays homage to. It’s like Austin Powers, but played a little straighter, or at least a little more comic booky.

Egerton is a delight, slipping easily into the character, presenting the modern English gentleman, with Firth’s Harry being the old school version of the same. The action and the moments come fast and furious, and then the incredible cast keep popping up, one after the other, and it’s just a fantastic ride.

The stakes are high, the action beats outrageous, the visual effects wonderfully solid. And all the viewer can do is buckle up and hold on.

I quite enjoyed this one, it expands on the world introduced in the first film, takes away some characters, introduces new ones, and has a helluva lot of fun doing it. It also has some great needle drops. And some nice Elton tunes as well, and Sir Elton proves he’s a scene-stealer.

I’m looking forward to digging into the third film, though I know it’s not an Eggsy story, but an origin story for the spy agency known as the Kingsman.

Sure, it’s not a 007 film, or a Mission: Impossible film but it’s an enjoyable romp and pays homage to all of the superspy films of the modern era, and their predecessors

It’s a hoot.

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