Kick-Ass Review

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Kick-Ass is a violent, bloody, vulgar, morally reprehensible film, and that’s why it works. While far from a strict adaptation of the beloved comic, it certainly pays its respects. From the Adam West impersonating Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and vast swear word vocabulary of Hit Girl (Chloë Moretz), to the awkward neediness of Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson) and the silliness of Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse).

For those uninitiated with the comics the plot is simple. Dave Lizewski is an ordinary teenager with ordinary problems. But that’s all he is, ordinary. He wishes to be more, something bigger, something better. And with that (and his love of comics) Kick-Ass is born. I don’t want to say more than that because the plot is very enjoyable as it unravels.

All the main characters of this film are spot on. Johnson brings everything he has to the table and it shows, a very likeable amateur superhero that you just don’t want to see get hurt. But, you love when he does. His version of David tries so hard to be a cocky bastard when he wears the suit, but instead he just comes off as nerdy. The films poster boy Nicolas Cage is also brilliant. Like last year’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call: New Orleans, this is what happens when Cage is purposely over acting in the right type of role. His Adam West impression is spot on and his mannerisms are downright funny. There isn’t much to say about Mintz-Plasse’s Red Mist. The character is basically McLovin with a gun. The real star of this movie is of course Moretz as Hit Girl. She steals EVERY SINGLE scene she is in, and it’s wonderful. Nothing beats watching an adorable 10 year old beat holy hell out of drug deals and mobsters. I have a strong feeling that she is going to become the Dakota Fanning of this decade.

Unfortunately the side characters don’t get the same kind of amazing treatment the main cast does. In the comics, David’s friends serve a much larger purpose throughout the story as he tries to balance his real life with his Kick-Ass life. Much of the witty banter that occurs in the books between David and his friends is stripped out so we get as much time with David as possible. The same can be said for David’s dad. He is a key character in everything David does in the books because he is always thinking about what his father might say. So much of that is lost in the film adaptation. In all honesty, if the father had zero screen he wouldn’t have been missed.

Luckily, the direction of the film partially makes up for the 1 note side characters. Matthew Vaughn brings everything he has to this movie. The film is amazingly stylized like a comic book (and unlike HULK this time it works) and there is plenty of charm sprinkled throughout. I highly doubt the actors came up with all their amazing personalities by themselves. Vaughn clearly has a hand is many of them, especially Mintz. The cinematography is spot on, the music is memorable, the costumes are vibrant, and the set design is just plain cool. Vaughn definitely knows what he’s doing.

Overall, Kick-Ass is a rocking good time. The first two acts are pretty cool and the third is downright genius. There will be a few moments where you’ll be bored but those moments will go by quickly. Just remember one thing. Even though this is a masked superhero movie it does not mean it is kid friendly. It is rated R for a reason. Keep that in mind and you will have made a very wise ticket purchase.

8/10