It’s the weekend again, and that means Film Focus. Here’s Mike Laidman with what’s new in local theaters.
[Report]
This week, no original properties. Instead, two new entries into existing series - one quite established, the other still finding its footing after a very well-received first outing.
Tag along today as we infiltrate and incapacitate with spies, and seek and destroy with ninjas.
Today we look at Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and The Lego Ninjago Movie.
[Slug CG]
Mike Laidman
Welcome to another edition of Film Focus. I’m Mike Laidman.
[Slug CG]
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017, Matthew Vaughn)
The Kingsman’s journey leads them to an allied spy group.
The Kingsman are an independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, whose ultimate goal is to keep the world safe. Now, in 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.
With Kingsman being so well-received, it was always going to be tough to top it. And so it has been, with The Golden Circle featuring more of what made the original so fun, but lacking its wild, creative spark.
It’s ultra-violent and filled to the brim with ridiculous technological gadgets - more than enough to satisfy any spy, but despite this, it doesn't usher in anything new. And so while it’s a fun ride, it’s not as fresh of a fun ride as the first, and so likely won’t hang around as long as its predecessor.
[Slug CG]
The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017, Charlie Bean)
A Master Builder and his friends discover they are ninjas.
The LEGO franchise movies have taken us through the regular, and then Batman-inspired versions of their universes, and so now it’s time for NINJAGO to have its turn.
The battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd's dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.
Much like Kingsman, the charm of the first two LEGO movies isn’t there throughout, only popping up every now and then. The charm is there, but the gags feel used and the storyline is anything but even. For those invested in the franchise it’s worth seeing, but don’t expect your socks to be blown off.