Top 5 Things Kingsman The Golden Circle Did Right

If there’s one thing that absolutely had to be carried across from the first Kingsman film it was its fun-loving, elaborate style. Trading in ridiculousness for realism at times, “The Golden Circle” maintains its spoofy approach and yet still manages to offer an engaging, tense - and at times dark - James Bond vibe, as well as some A-list names. It replaces henchman with robo-dogs and wtf musical cameos for kidnapped love interests. Which brings us to our next entry.

Yep, the Rocket Man himself features in the film, fitting perfectly with the ‘not-too-serious’ vibe. Elton was actually supposed to be in the first movie, but his appearance in the sequel offers quite an extensive cameo. He plays himself, albeit slightly dramatized, captured by Julianne Moore’s nostalgic villain and forced to play some of his classic hits. And his scenes are brilliant, littered with puns, fight sequences and a unique rendition of “Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting”. Ultimately, his appearance helps keep the film grounded in its own ludicrousness.

A big part of spy films is the toys, and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” set the tone nicely for its sequel, with poisonous pens, barmy brollys and fierce footwear. But “The Golden Circle” probably tops the first outing, with new additions specific to the Kingsman’s American cousins, including an electrified lasso and baseball grenades. Other new devices include a deadly bionic arm, a bulletproof briefcase that fires rockets, flashbang aftershave and a means of surviving a headshot. Quite the overnight bag.

Although the bulk of the film’s charm is its humour and violence, its farewell to Merlin proved the emotional high point. Sacrificing himself for the good of the mission, Strong’s Merlin takes a landmine for the team. But before he clocks out, he delivers a booming tribute to John Denver, an artist he reveals to be his favourite. Distracting some guards with his rendition, allowing Eggsy and Harry to slip by, the glances off screen, together with his touching delivery, make it a real tear-jerker.

The most memorable aspect of the first "Kingsman"? That'd be the action sequences, specifically the blood-splattered church massacre. “Golden Circle” serves up it’s own impossible odds action with a series of explosive onslaughts which defy the laws of physics - with the most notable being the attack on Julianne Moore’s Poppy Land lair. It’s loud, fast-paced and, as viewers, we’re weaved in and out of the bullets and debris. It’s Vaughn’s trademark style at its best.