Other films should call themselves 'Ass-Kick'

Rating: 9/10 (4 May 2010)

A somewhat unlikely mating of Juno, Kill Bill, and Fight Club culminate in the ugly duckling brother of Watchmen. The rather cute and bloody sibling does not disappoint; and it's not what one would expect from trailers and previous movies about superheroes. The movie delivers an action-packed thrill ride, while breaking the mold of tried and true action films of past. Kick-Ass gets an 'R' rating, and though some scenes seem to pull off an almost Disney- esquire, feel-good vibe, it's not one for the kiddies. But if you can get a baby sitter and silence your prude inner-self, there's one hell of a smart and witty showing, within this fun, if slightly overcast, film.
It begins with the typically troubled geeky-boy character (Aaron Johnson) finding himself as a superhero, Kick-Ass. In his new line of work he soon meets Big Daddy and Hit-Girl: two 'real deal' superheroes very capable and very lethal in what they do. He is drawn into taking down a New York City Mob-Boss (Mark Strong of Stardust), and struggles to simultaneously fight crime and keep his normal life in order. On the way, he also meets Red Mist (McLovin of Superbad), another superhero who is similarly struggling within his own life. Through the vertigo of his new life, Kick-Ass soon realizes that he's gotten himself deeper into the crime-fighting business than he ever wanted to be, and in life or death circumstances is forced to decide whether he wants to be a normal guy the rest of his life, or become a hero.
Director Mathew Vaughn layers sadness, humor, and slightly startling violence within a story of growing up and taking down bad guys. Based on the comic book by Mark Miller, the movie carries over some fascinating cinematography, and exciting ideas. Kick-Ass, for example, is very in-your-face and brutally physical, and his scenes show it. The lovable Hit-Girl swears like a sailor and kills like 300's Leonidas; and as kick-ass as she is, she just isn't the cute little girl you somehow want her to be. And Big Daddy, while his SWAT-like movement and Kung-Fu fighting skills are awe-inspiring, his loving nature still brings a tear to your eye. All of the components of a typical action movie are present, but with all new characters and ideas blended together in a fresh fun take on the classic in this yummy-licious cut-throat-mocha frappe-jolly eccentric-cino.
Kick-Ass leaves a nostalgic, almost melancholy taste in your mouth, and a longing for the earlier days when time was spent entertaining the idea of becoming a real-life superhero. It's got fantastic style, showered across fun characters and an engaging story line. This is the joy ride of the year, careening past inhibitions and breaking through limits; smiles all around. Though a parody of sorts of the very genre it assimilates to, Kick-Ass is a surprisingly good addition to the current superhero movie lineup. If only to compare to other superhero movies out there (Spiderman, Batman, Iron Man) and to the comic book days of old, it's worth a viewing just to discuss with the mates. Though not an instant classic, Kick-Ass looks like an abstract art gallery, sounds like a late-night comedy show, and kills like a video-game. A