We have ourselves a new action hero, and her name is Chloë Grace

Rating: 10/10 (24 April 2010)

I cannot stop thinking about it this movie. I am obsessed. I am going to see it a third time this week.
I saw the trailer for it in the theater, and my immediate reaction was "No f---ing way am I seeing that." It had the stench of teen comedy all over it, and I hate teen comedies.
Then the red band trailers sparked mild interest, but I cannot recommend those to you because they are spoilerific. Then came the early reviews from the UK, where it first opened, and they were quite positive. Then, largely positive scores from the review sites. So I saw it. I threw together a group of friends so that fun would be had no matter whether the movie sucked or not. It did not suck.
I remember the feeling I had after I saw Die Hard. Wholly unexpected jubilation, and a strong desire to introduce others to a great film. I haven't experienced that feeling to that degree since. Until now.
I won't/can't say much about the film itself or why it rocks so hard, and you have seen too many spoilers as it is, if you have expressed any interest at all. I will say that I want to give Nic Cage a hug. I will also say that, when Arnold retired from action film, I wondered who the next badass action hero would be. Duane "The Rock" Johnson? That was everyone's guess, but that didn't happen. Jackie Chan wants to do drama now. Jet Li is getting too old for wire work. Ray Stevenson was a great Punisher, but approximately six people saw that wonderful movie.
I never thought that my next action-hero badass idol would be a twelve year old girl.
The work of Macready/Moretz draws upon the speed and agility of Chan, the wire work of Jet Li, the pistol-handling ability of Chow Yun-Fat, the steely-eyed confidence of Clint Eastwood, and the relentless determination of Arnold. All while smiling with glee, like... no action hero I've ever seen before. I want more.
Apparently I am not alone. In one of many positive reviews I've read, the reviewer mentions going home and immediately putting Hit Girl wallpaper on his computer. I did that too, and so will some of you I bet. It's not as creepy as you might think. You will understand if you see the movie.
This could just be honeymoon phase. Die-Hard has withstood the 20 year test of time. So has Robocop, and so has Road Warrior. This film might withstand that same time test, and it might not. But at this moment, it is a favorite.
It should be noted that all the casting is superb. Bravo to whoever did the casting.
I laughed, and I generally hate comedies. I cried, and I haven't cried in a movie theater since I saw Old Yeller as a kid.
This film is not for everyone! It is not for the squeamish; there are parts with a decent level of hack and slash violence. It is also NOT FOR KIDS. As Moretz herself says in an interview I read, it is R rated for a reason. cinemablend.com/new/Interview-Chloe-Moretz-Is-Hit-Girl-18116.html
Schwarzenegger. Stallone. Chan. Yun-Fat. Moretz.
Please, Hollywood, treat her well. Be kind.
Everybody else who appreciates good action film: Please see this movie. Thanks!