(Some spoilers, beware)
I really don't know what compelled me to watch the first Kingsman. I just don't. But boy am I glad I did!
I love "Kingsman: The Secret Service". It's a wonderful movie with the perfect balance of action, character development, and humor. Collin Firth is amazing, as usual, and it was the first movie I ever saw starring Taron Egerton, and my love of his acting in that film led me to watch two other films of his: "Sing" and "Testament of Youth". All three movies are among my favorites now.
So, naturally, I gathered some friends who were also fans of the first movie (and my not-a-big-fan fiancé) and went to the theatre the first night that "Golden Circle" was showing.
I am sad to say that I am disappointed.
Hear me out, though: ever since I was young, my dad has taught me to appreciate little things in movies like well-paired music or detailed and realistic CGI. The narrative of the story, however, I learned to appreciate on my own. I make everything in my life into a story, but the story of "Golden Circle" was simply disappointing. Beloved characters killed at the blink of an eye, possibly a plot hole here and there (I'll have to watch it again to be sure), and little to no character relationships made. The cinematics of it, however, were just as good as the first film.
Now here's where the spoilers and my true disappointment really starts:
In the first film, main character "Eggsy" develops a friendship with fellow spy trainee Roxy. However, at the end of the first film, after Eggsy saves the world he is given a sexual opportunity with a princess, and he takes it. Even despite this, I thought that at the beginning of this film, Eggsy and Roxy would at least have a budding relationship after his one-night stand with the princess. However, at the beginning of "Golden Circle", he and the princess are madly in love, and he and Roxy are simply friends.
Now, I don't want to spoil anything else but let me tell you why I feel terrible about this portion of the storyline:
The hot, open-about-sex, privileged princess is the one who "got the guy", leaving strong, confident Roxy in the dust. First of all, it feels like Eggsy was my close, personal friend whom in the first film I saw transform from local delinquent to global gentleman. Then he went and showed me his true colors by choosing the woman who first offered him sex over the woman who first offered him her kindness, trust, and loyalty. I felt betrayed.
Second, while I'm sure it was unintended by the writers and producers, I don't feel good about the message this bit of story sends. Feminism wasn't exactly a theme in the film, but it feels completely ignored now. Here you go young girls who like action movies: you're never going to get the guy if you don't put out. Being strong and confident won't get you the love and affection we all desire. Maybe it would have been better if Roxy had at least been shown with some kind of beau to go home to, but sadly, she seemed all alone.
Overall, it was a good movie and I will watch it again, but this time, I know that my wishes for the characters won't be coming true. I was, once again, quite impressed with the performances by Taron Egerton (Eggsy), Collin Firth, and Mark Strong. Here's to hoping there's a third movie!
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