Movies 2022

What a MESS!! Like, what was the takeaway from the success of the first Kingsman movie, I wonder?! This one lacks everything the OG movie had, except the cinematography. It lacks the extended over-the-top action set-pieces, the unique weaponry, the quirky attitude of the protagonists, and above all, it lacks a coherent plot, and character development in most leads (except Ralph Fienes).

The action is too little and too far between to make up for all of the messy story, character development, etc.

Rasputin was the one truly quirky character but he too was dragged down into camp territory when the fight scene started. It was so disappointing.

4/10. Keeping for the sake of completion (maybe)

Its made by Steven Soderbergh, so the stylistic elements are outstanding. The acting is also great. In fact, its all good, except for the story, which it turns out is very bare-bones and done a thousand times before since the 90s (maybe before, but movies like Enemy Of The State, Eagle Eye, etc., I remember from decades ago). Usually movies of this nature that have a unique visual style element employed tend to be a little too quirky with their story and characters which doesn't work for them either. But while this one handles the characters well, it keeps the story too simple. As a result, while I enjoyed it wile watching it, I felt dissatisfied when it ended.

I can understand why this was done though. The movie does not shy away from letting us know that it was made during the Covid-19 pandemic, which means it was made on a modest indie film budget, which means they had to cut corners on sets, and the amount of people they could employ.

But in the end, despite strong performance by Zoe Kravitz, one cannot help but feel dissatisfied with this bare-bones plot treatment. Still a good watch, though.

7/10. Kept.