The King’s Man [2021]

The King’s Man is an okay movie on its own. However, it disappoints you when you consider that it’s a prequel to the first two great movies.

Set in the early years of the 20th century, the movie explores the forming of the agency to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.

However, not even the good and mostly great performances of Ralph Fiennes, Harris Dickinson and Djimon Hounsou could save this tonally confused prequel’s descent into action thriller tedium.

The movie is easily broken into three acts. The first two are terribly slow burners and completely outside the movie’s franchise. If I had to rate them separately, it would be a 1 star.

On the other hand, the third act of the movie goes back to the franchise roots. It’s only in the story’s final throws where the film seems to remember it’s a Kingsman movie and starts having fun, but by then it’s too little too late because the viewers, myself included, will be comparing it to Eggsy and his movies.

Lastly, If the plan is to turn the prequel into its own trilogy, it needs a lot of work in tidying up the story and cranking up the Kingsman fun factor.

Should you watch it?

If you’re expecting a Kingsman movie, don’t bother. Even though it’s technically a prequel to the first two movies, The King’s Man is more of an okay World War I movie than an actual prequel.

Where can I watch it?

The King’s Man is now playing on HBO Max & Hulu in USA, and Disney Plus everywhere else.