Movie Review: Kingsman: The Golden Circle

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Kingsman: The Secret Service was an enjoyable feast filled with entertaining violence and very English manners to top it off, making the film memorable and dosing audience with the words that a sequel should be made. Three years after the film was delivered, director Matthew Vaughn is back with the sequel titled Kingsman: The Golden Circle which had created some hypes back two years ago when it was announced a sequel was to be made and there would be an introduction to the American counterpart.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle has proven that the gentlemanly spies are up their game and together with the counterpart known as Statesman, the team will stop at nothing but to end Poppy’s reign of selling drugs which would leave the effects that the last villain, Valentine had on the people around the globe. However, while the film sequel delivered the same kind of thrilled violence delights, it somehow seemed to fall flat at some point.

The story was an echo and a shout out to the previous film, offering the familiar desserts which may seem like a repeated story being told for bedtime. The boasting of few sort after actors like Channing Tatum may seem to cheat several fans out there who may think they have load amounts of kick-ass, only to find themselves seeing them goofing around and playing such small roles. Julianne Moore as Poppy seem rather irrational and in my opinion, does seem to lose out to the previous villain’s aura. She wasn’t a strong villain for the Kingsman to knock out, though the way she somehow kidnapped Elton John was not a bad idea.

Putting aside the similar story and a weak villain, I was still impressed several things in the sequel which have always been my favourite from the previous film. Firstly, I am glad to see Harry Hart (played by Colin Firth) being alive and the scene which had him gone through several shocks before realising who he really was, is amazing. The work done by the visual effects team was indeed brilliant as shown in the scene where younger Harry Hart was being tested to shoot the dog. Secondly, the fight scenes at the beginning and the ending were my favourite, being that the chemistry between Harry and Eggsy (played by Taron Egerton) was the main dish I was waiting for; fighting side by side and showing what Kingsman is really and totally excellent at. Lastly, Elton John’s appearance was funnier than what I expected it to be.

In conclusion, Kingsman: The Golden Circle brought the audience some familiar actions that we have seen the previous film, however that does not stop the delightful violence and new wacky ways to be a spy. Although the Golden Circle seems to be a foolish and utterly silly organisation, nevertheless this sequel still proves that no matter what counterpart or resources, Kingsman is still at its tip top condition and yet better than ever.


Ratings: 7/10

Read More

Movie Review: It (2017)

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

With Summer setting a low record for films in the box office and now comes into the sweet, gentle Autumn in September, this version of It has proven to the audience that not everything can be so bad as it seems.

Starring several cast members including Bill Skarsgård who portrayed the antagonist being known as Pennywise the Clown, or what the children in the film called as ‘It’. The story began with a scene taken place in a rainy day of October 1988, where the audience were introduced to the two brothers in the house, doing what siblings usually do; the older brother, Bill helping his younger brother, George to fix up the boat for him to take out to play in the rain. Seemingly nostalgic as someone who grew up with an older sister, I was indeed in awe with the interaction and understood Bill’s regret which he holds throughout the story.

As the film progresses with lots of creeping-ly madhouse jump scare scenes and lots of fears brought to break down my vulnerability of watching such horror films, I was indeed engaged to the story which encourages people to not be afraid of your own fears. To me, ‘It’ represents the various incarnation of fear. Whether is it you are being afraid of heights, waters or clowns, there comes to a point where there must be an end to the nightmare you faced every night and day. ‘It’ is like a haunting ghost from your midnight endless dream, a recollection. It has every desire to obtained people of different ages and heightened fear, mostly attacking children because it knows that they are vulnerable and easier to gain their trust compared to authoritative figures.

I was amazed by how the visual effects were made in the film because that jump scare scenes were honestly terrifying. Even though I watched the film on iPad, I still find myself trying to breathe throughout the film. Call me a scaredy-cat if you want, but those scenes especially the one that happened in the garage got me some kind of almost exaggerated cardiac arrest (not literally). If I were those children, I would have freaked out too but I doubt I would be calm enough to find an escape route.

Skarsgård’s performance as Pennywise the Clown was rather entertaining in an odd way. His entrance into the film makes the character a mystery; puzzling, dazzling and yet a sociopath who did not care for anything but itself to continue surviving. Skarsgård literally owns every scene in the film with such perplexing twisted manner like a ringmaster in the circus, and not to mentioned this particular observation would be an insult to the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.

In conclusion, It manages to successfully capture the audience’s heart with such delicate and simple faithful storytelling along with the madhouse visual effects that could be terrifying and yet somehow beautifully horrifying. Topping with the outstanding performance of Pennywise the Clown and the cast’s togetherness from beginning to the end which leaves a potential gap to the next sequel, It is a film which I encourage you to give it a shot, sit with your loved ones and have a roller-coasty ride through the endless fears. Believe me, you might float too.


Ratings: 7/10

Read More

Movie Review: The Shining

In celebration of the release of IT based on the novel by Stephen King, I decided to do a review on The Shining. Released in 1980 and directed by Stanley Kubrick, The Shining was hailed as one of the finest masterpieces in horror genre and has since been referenced in pop culture, specially the well known quote by Jack Nicholson's Jack Torrance, who said "Here's Johnny!" as he cut through the door to complete his task to 'correct' his wife.

The Shining indeed shines with the help of compelling visuals comprised of visions and magnetising gruesomeness, and of course not to forget Nicholson's terrifying, full of surprise and million faces performance which could be applauded and hands down one of his finest performances he gave that makes him the shining star in the film. In fact, I was completely in the state of shocking horror when his character Jack tried to cornered the horrified Wendy, his wife, as he slowly descended into madness and told his intention. That scene got me a creep out of my sensitive skin as I hugged my soft toy, Foxy tightly.

Not to forget that the soundtrack of The Shining was pretty much ASMR to me (google it if you have no idea what this acronym means). It simply terrifies your bones and puts you in the state, the edge of feeling cornered, completely wondering whether is there anyone or someone just out to get you. The soundtrack helped to elevate the sense of horror which was shown throughout the film as the story progresses and slowly died down towards the end when everything was seemingly eerie, empty as it shows our dear Jack somehow somewhere which gives you an idea of what really is happening in the hotel the family was staying; how crazily the madness is as it elevates and ruin a once loving fulfilled family in the harsh winter.


In summary, The Shining is a great experience to enjoy especially when watching alone and honestly a film which will leave a huge impression on me. Nicholson's performance as Jack Torrance, a loving father who slowly descended into the ambition of madness, and inclusion of the skin-creeping chilly soundtrack combined - makes the story seemingly terrifying at its best and worth a watch especially in the night cause the experience seems real and the idea of such compelling madness makes you wonder; will you ever drive yourself to such idealistic ambition, devouring you for the sake of success and encouraging a nasty nature; a darker version of yourself?

Ratings: 6/10

Read More