Kick Asses of Entertainment

Rating: 6/10 (26 April 2010)

From Matthew Vaughn, director of Stardust and Layer Cake, the man takes a stab at the comic book genre, Kick-Ass. While the film bodes well for entertainment and the average Friday night visit to the movies, Kick-Ass doesn't offer any heart and soul to withstand any real social or film-making significance. Vaughn seems to be very inspired by Quentin Tarantino's film style but rather then use it as a foundation, he copies it in the most awkward way and delivers second rate results.
With an ensemble of all up-and-comers, and Nicolas Cage, Kick-Ass enables its players to dig somewhat deep within themselves to bare real emotions, however, minimal delivery and story arch don't lead to any substantial moments. Of the players, Aaron Johnson who plays the brave superhero "Kick-Ass" carries the audiences affection. With his breakthrough performance in Nowhere Boy last year, Johnson will sure to be one of Hollywood's bright lights.
Chloe Moretz as the vulgar and spunky "Hit-Girl" is surely a fan favorite character, however, I found her character completely annoying. Her fight sequences, as most of the film, are simply awesome and red hot fire, but as soon as dialogue is shared with any of her co-stars, worst of all Nicolas Cage as "Big Daddy," eyes roll. And what Nicolas Cage seems to be doing these days is stop trying altogether on acting. He's showing an eclectic taste in choosing movie roles which I can appreciate but he's lost all sight of what he showed us in the mid-90's when he won his Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas. He's stopped chasing that moment again.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse, or as you may know him better as "McLovin" from Superbad, remains his A-typical role with no acting range. As awesome as Mintz has been in his last roles, he seems to be locked in this type of "struggling, teen depression angst" performances. I'm waiting on something more.
As this looks like a negative review of Vaughn's film, my experience is not a bad one by any means. Kick-Ass is pure entertainment though a tad too long but it gets chuckles and smiles along the way. It shows something different which is worthy for a look.
**1/2/****