This is clearly Matthew Vaughn’s attempt to shake things up and expand the _Kingsman_ films into new territory.
While I respect the hell out of that choice (it’s easier to play it safe, because ultimately that’s what most people want), it’s a film that doesn’t quite get the appeal of the franchise.
It’s a film that forgot to keep it simple, character driven and fun, and instead they went with something that’s too plot driven and overly serious, given what the DNA of the franchise is.
A big part of what makes the first film great are its characters. Now, Ralph Fiennes is quite good in this, but Harris Dickinson’s character is very one dimensional (and his performance doensn’t have the charisma that Taron Edgerton gave to Eggsy), and the villains all feel like they’re ripped out of a saturday morning cartoon.
It also struggles with its tone because of that. Like I said before, this is at parts oddly serious for a _Kingsman_ film, and then every time it cuts to the villains it feels like a completely different film and it goes completely bonkers, fully embracing the camp. It kinda reminded me of the first _Wonder Woman_ movie in that regard.
The production makes up for a lot, though. It’s very stylish, you can instantly tell that this isn’t a generic Hollywood production. There’s a lot of personality in the visuals, and the action is well staged (not nearly as tacky as in _The Golden Circle_), I just wish there was a little more of it.
I’d say it’s about as good as the second film. Not really memorable or something worth recommending, but it has its moments.

4.5/10