Kick-Ass

Already there is controversy surrounding Kick-Ass, complaints about the excessive and sometimes brutal violence, about young Chloe Moretz's foul-mouthed character Hit Girl, and even possibly about the less-than-family-friendly superhero deconstruction. And because Kick-Ass is meant to drive this kind of conversation and disgust, I think it will work in its favor. Controversy sells, and I think most audiences will understand that Kick-Ass is doing something more with its violence than simply being gratuitous.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Kick-Ass comes from the creator of Wanted, and while I haven't it, the film failed to impress me as it did others (but from what I hear, the graphic novel featured a much darker and interesting story than its silver screen adaptation). Like Wanted, I haven't read Kick-Ass, but the violence and profanity wasn't toned down in Matthew Vaughn's adaptation, at least in any imaginable way. Kick-Ass sets out to deconstruct and mock some of the cliches that often plague superhero stories. The film is funny, examining a world where a few "ordinary" people try to become superheroes, resulting in some truly entertaining scenes. And the violence, as excessive as it can be, works because to be a hero, or more appropriately a vigilante, would require that level of violence. It's not gratuitous for the sake of being gratuitous. These people are sick, in the sense that they are damaged enough to dress up and hurt people, for the greater good or not.

As for Moretz's role, which is upsetting all manner of uptight, overprotective parent groups, she does a great job and sells the hard-edged little girl perfectly. Even Nicolas Cage, who hasn't had the best streak of late, does some wonderful things as Big Daddy. Those two, along with Aaron Johnson's Kick-Ass, make a great trio. The introduction of Hit Girl, Big Daddy's warehouse massacre, and the debut appearance of Kick-Ass are all excellent scenes to showcase each actors strength.

Kick-Ass may stir up some controversy, and some won't bother seeing it, but I can imagine, as was my experience in the theater, that the film will play well with crowds. It's fun and the lightness of the film will make it one easy to come back to.

Genre - Action (3.5)

Screenplay (3)

Acting (4)

Production (3)

Directing (4)