Sheep Movie Review: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) Spoiler-free

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

Sep 22, 2017
Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Written By: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn

Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong (II), Halle Berry, Elton John

Rating: R (for sequences of strong violence, drug content, language throughout and some sexual material)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy
Studio: 20th Century Fox

"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.

Went to see Kingman: The Golden Circle with my husband and 16-year-old daughter. We all saw and loved the first movie and looked forward to this one. We weren't disappointed. While not a necessity, I suggest seeing Kingsman: The Secret Service before The Golden Circle. There are a few inside jokes that you won't get unless you do.

One problem with sequels is the need to out-do the first one. If a little is good, then more is better seems to be the studios' answer. And The Golden Circle does suffer from this a little. Especially with the quick changing camera angles during fight scenes. More is not better! But that is a minor complaint. The rest of the movie was campy, over-the-top fun like the first movie.

People forget Kingsman is a 2012 UK comic written by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, published by Icon Comics...an imprint of Marvel! And the movies keep the outlandish comic book feel. It has a super spy theme like James Bond, but with a strong roll-your-eyes comedy aspect. That is part of its charm.

Don't want to spoil, so not plot talk. But so many twists and surprises! Unfortunately, the trailer ruined one of the biggest. Oops!

The movie was made for the 3-D experience, but we saw it standard. It is worth catching on the big screen.

The whole family agrees on 4 1/2 "Golden" Sheep
(actually I wanted it to be: 4 1/2 best sheep I've had in three weeks)

SharonS

Double Sheep Movie Review: KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (2015)

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (2015)

Rating:R (for sequences of strong violence, language and some sexual content)
Genre:Mystery & Suspense
Directed By:Matthew Vaughn
Written By:Mark Millar , Dave Gibbons , Matthew Vaughn , Jane Goldman
Stars: Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson
In Theaters:Feb 13, 2015
Runtime:2 hr. 8 min.
20th Century Fox - Official Site

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. (c) Fox

SHARON

I saw Kingsman with my husband and 13 year old daughter and we all loved it. Campy is the word that comes to mind. It is a nod at all the classic stereotypical spy (James Bond) characters, but with better special effects and talent (sorry Roger Moore). Everything was over the top, from the ridiculously cool super spy gadgets to the exploding heads...OMG, the exploding heads! 

Do you recognize the Jedi Knight?

The script is predictable but witty, and you will be entertained from beginning to end...well, if you enjoy action movies with some camp. Samuel L. Jackson's character is right out of a Bond film and the lisp is just an example of how the writers take things just to the edge of ridiculous, but wink and nod at the audience. The villain's side-kick, Gazzele (Sofia Boutella) with her blades of destruction was the icing on this cake of gratuitous violence.

Worth a matinee price and possibly full price if you are a fan of these type of movies.

WTF?! are these guys wearing? Jumpers...must be a British thing <G>

P.S. No dogs die in this movie...

4 "Manners maketh the sheep" Sheep

KATIE 

Pretty much Sharon hit this on the head. The movie is over the top with action and makes no apologies for it. You get a big taste of the 007 flare and some new added twists for the modern day man/woman. 

One or two well planned and placed twists, I did not see coming. If you're not familiar with the British "English", you may have a wee bit of trouble understanding the lingo here and there. But nothing you can't wing it and figure out what was said. 

A pretty awesome-gruesome fight scene in a church takes the blood and guts to an almost Braveheart level. If you're not into gore, you may want to cover your eyes for a few minutes. 

This is a fun film that had me entertained enough to not feel ripped of over the ticket price. I will complain about an unwanted or needed sexual line at the very end, but that's just my personal distaste. 

Getting 3 and 1/2 "007 Pugs of Fury" Sheep 
KD 

Movie Review: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy

This review is from our friends over at Bad Haven. They have revamped their site and it looks great. Go give them a look if you get the chance.

Plot – In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6′s echelons.

Director – Thomas Alfredson

Starring – Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Kathy Burke, David Decik

The cold war has been over for more than twenty years, so when I headed into the screening of Thomas Alfredson’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I was wondering exactly what a cold war espionage thriller would have to offer.

As it turns out, I needn’t have worried. The movie surpassed all my expectations and delivered a gripping and hugely entertaining thriller without compromising it’s characters or story.

The plot follows a semi-retired spy by the name of George Smiley (Oldman) who is asked out of retirement by a government minister to investigate claims that there is a Russian double agent working in the upper echelons of MI6.

With the help of a junior member of the service (Cumberbatch), Smiley sets about exposing the mole who is likely to be one of the four most powerful spys in the country (Dencik, Firth, Jones, Hinds).

While it is true that a cold war espionage thrillers aren’t really relevant anymore, except as a period pieces, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is much more than just a thriller or period piece. It elevates itself above the average with wonderful performances from a fantastic cast, a gripping plot and subtle but classy direction.

Oldman is magnificent as the subdued yet calculating Smiley. His role was first brought to moving images by Alec Guinness in the seventies and even without seeing that adaptation it is obvious that Oldman has absorbed some of Guinness here. But he certainly makes the part his very own, the way only Gary Oldman can. He inhabits the character of Smiley completely and plays him as a shrewd but tired spy who has had to do things he wishes he hadn’t in the name of Queen and Country.

Oldman’s performance would have been all for nought if the supporting cast had been second rate, but the movie has one of the best casts I have seen in recent years. Firth, Jones, Hinds and Dencik are all excellent as the senior spies under suspicion, Cumberbatch is great as Oldman’s anxious sidekick and John Hurt is perfect as Control, the paranoid head of the intellegence service who is forced out after a bungled operation.

Although solid, Tom Hardy is probably the least effective cast member as ‘Scalphunter’ Ricki Tarr. Michael Fassbender was originally supposed to play the role and I think he might have brought a little more emotion to the rogue agent who falls in love with a Russian counterpart.

Alfredson’s direction is notable in that it is hardly noticeable. I was never aware of the camera unless I looked for it which is a testament to the subtlety and nous that the swede uses and the cinematography and art direction work perfectly together to create a a bleak and grimy 1970s London that reflects the shadiness of the characters’ business. Even the score is subtley effective and never intrudes on the narrative.

All things considered, I was quite surprised that I was so engrossed in a film whose subject matter was outdated in a genre that has been done to death. The real reason why Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy works is that it is only an espionage thriller in a narrative sense.

At it’s heart, the movie is actually about the characters’ relationships and personal betrayal. We are presented with a secret and closeted world filled with paranoid men who have little else in their lives except their work. When that world starts to unravel, it becomes evident that the double-crosses and lies affect these men personally because their colleagues are really the only friends that they ever had.

A cracking story that stands up despite being politically irrelevant, casting that was made to facilitate that story, impressive performances and technical subtlety all combine to make Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy one of the most entertaining spy dramas I have ever seen.

review by Karol Murray

8/10

The King's Speech

The King's Speech directed by Tom Hooper stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Fantastic from beginning to end, I loved this film and everyone in it! :)

Storyline:

The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI of England, and the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stammer and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and resulting in an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead his country through World War II.

During a historic time for the world when a country needed a King that they could follow, Colin Firth became that character with beautiful ease. An amazing performance that should hopefully win him many more awards. Just brilliant.

Accompanied by the talented and beautiful Helena Carter, you can almost taste the pain and sorrow she feels in having to watch as her husband struggle with a life long stammer. Truly amazing, I have no idea why more movies of this caliber are not made.

Geoffrey rounds out the trio as the speech therapist who works to make the King become a worthy monarch. The quirky and humorous therapist has a long and tuff road ahead of him, but he continues down that path and never gives up.

Cinematography was outstanding, phenomenal directing, wonderfully written script delivered by talented actors. All around a must see. :) I will wipe the drool from my face now lol.

KD