KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

(2017) This film's predecessor, Kingsman: The Secret Service, instantly became one of my five favorite films of the year, first time I saw it. Loud, outrageous, even insane, it was like being trapped in a comic book being written, as you experienced it, by a genuine nutjob with a penchant for violence and one wicked sense of humor .. and I loved every moment of it. Sequels, by definition, are usually inferior, which was why I wanted to see - yet also dreaded seeing - this sequel to my beloved Secret Service. And though this one hits many of the same bells and whistles (too many, which is part of the problem, though the opening sequence absolutely KICKS ASS, getting my hopes high), Golden Circle is overall a disappointment, taking our beloved Kingsman where they don't deserve to go: to their American counterparts. Julianne Moore is the lead villain here, good but almost bordering on too cartoon-y as Poppy, the most successful woman drug dealer in the world ... but no one knows it, because she's hidden away on an island complex to escape the law. But Poppy has a plan, and it begins with killing off all members of the Kingsman - mostly by blowing up their homes and offices - though by a stroke of luck our beloved Eggsy (Taron Egerton) from the first film, along with admin wizard Merlin (Mark Strong), survive. Eventually they follow the clues to America, and in Kentucky discover their American counterparts in Champ (Jeff Bridges) and his agents, including Tequila (Channing Tatum), Whiskey (Pedro Pascal), and admin Ginger (Halle Berry). And when an epidemic begins breaking out in the form of blue, veiny streaks on the faces and bodies of people around the world, the remaining Kingsman agents finally get wind of Poppy's real plan - and can't even trust the American government, or their fellow American spies, for help. The film is good adult fun, with its trademark violence and crazed, Tarantino-style action - but the plot is also rather silly and far-fetched (yes, even for a Kingsman film), the characters coming off more caricature than character, and the film also feels bloated with too many famous faces, whether in supporting roles or cameos, that take away focus. Still a good film, even worth watching more than once, but when held up to The Secret Service it lacks that head-rush - that sense of inspired lunacy - the first film had in nearly every frame. (rated R)  6.5/10 stars