A sorely misunderstood masterpiece

Rating: 8/10 (30 April 2020)

I am somewhat puzzled by all the negative reviews that Kick-Ass has received. I may be completely misinterpreting this movie, but as far as I can see, this is a tongue-in-cheek and refreshingly self-effacing piece of cinema. There is a gentle but respectful mocking of both the comic-book and action movie genres as well as an astute commentary on the gratuitous violence so prevalent in modern films. Or maybe I'm wrong and it's just an indulgent infantile fantasy story with zero taste or subtlety.
Kick-Ass would rank as one of the most original and well-executed comedies of recent years, featuring an excellent cast and some brilliant one-liners. Chloe Grace Moretz is a show-stopper but Aaron Taylor-Johnson also gives a great performance with a perfect blend of nerdiness, courage and reticence. There have been very few films in recent years with this balance of excitement, ingenuity and self-awareness.