Kick-Ass, another comic book film, is it as good as the comic?

Rating: 8/10 (31 March 2010)

Yes we have another comic book film, but its OK people, this is one of those collaborations that work well.
Now right off the bat, this is a good film, a very good film. It's entertaining, funny and bloody. It also has an acceptable story line. I won't bother explaining what the story is, because in all fairness you should know. This isn't exactly 'se7en' or 'the usual suspects' we're talking about, it's Kick-Ass. There's no unbelievable or unforeseen twist. To be frank, if you've read the graphic novel (that's a comic to anyone who's not a fan) you will already know it's very funny and very, very bloody, the film delivers these two qualities perfectly. The fights are one of the greatest parts of the whole graphic novel, and in the film they're well directed and shot marvellously, you get all the death and gore upfront, in your face, the way we like it. When someone dies in Kick-Ass, you know there dead. Hit Girl also really manages to rack up a huge body count; it could very well rival The Bride's, crazy 88 massacre, from 'kill bill vol. 1'. In fact, that would be a great movie on it's own, just the two of them in a room with some swords. And, (unlike the comic) Big Daddy gets his own kick ass fighting scene, which is undeniably, incredibly awesome.
As for the adaption of the story, it's OK. Let's be honest though, if the film had followed the comic's plot completely to the letter, it would be a four hour epic, no one would have watched it like that. But likewise, it could have been another 'watchmen' and have the life edited out of it. Luckily the edited adaption here did the graphic novel justice and offered a much greater role for Hit Girl and Big Daddy. Whose parts are significantly changed, and anyone who's read the graphic novel will pick up on this. Also, Mark Strong's character 'Frank D'Amico' is expanded and more involved in the story, unlike in the comic. This is a nice touch to the film as a whole and works.
However this film isn't without its flaws, to name one. Red Mist, he is this films Anti-Christ. And I really do like this film. But he's the biggest problem with it. Now the costume redesigns worked for Kick-Ass, Hit Girl and Big Daddy, they worked really well, but Red Mists costume is terrible! (and he kills the ending of the whole film, I pray when they release this to DVD the last 8 seconds are cut out, he shots the camera... No really I'm not joking, he's dressed like a transvestite, delivers some crappy line to the camera and then shoots it!?) Christopher Mintz-Plasse plays Red Mist but sadly he doesn't suit the part, he was great as McLovin, and we all loved him as McLovin, but McLovin isn't Red Mist, I actually don't think he can distinguish the two characters. Also, in the film you know he's the villain from the very beginning, unlike in the comic. In the comic the fact he is a villain is a very well played twist. But here it's not. Truthfully I don't think anyone knows what Red Mist is intended to do in this story. For example, when he meets Hit Girl and Big Daddy, for no reason, he whips out a pistol and blows Hit Girl away. Now at this part of the films he doesn't even know who Hit Girl is. But he still whips out a gun and shoots her; he shoots a kid, he doesn't know, several times, for seemingly no reason. Then when his gang come in to capture Kick-Ass and (the grieving) Big Daddy he tells them to lets Kick-Ass go... In the context of the scene this is very out of place. It would have worked much better if they'd kept Red Mist like he was in the comic... and perhaps got a different actor, Mintz-Plasse is a good actor, but he didn't suit this part. The rest of my complaints with the film are just small thing, why was there a jet pack? I mean there was no need for it. Why did Kick-Ass have no scars? He has surgery all over his body, yet when he's topless he has no scars.
Also, I should mention Nicolas Cage. He isn't my favourite actor, he has done some great films and lots of crap ones, but it must be said, in Kick-Ass, Nicolas Cag is an amazing Big Daddy, he does this part so extraordinarily well. You believe he is a father who he loves and cares for his daughter, and yet, you know he is a cruel man, who murders and tortures many people in his relentless pursuit for justice. In addition, Chloë Grace Moretz must be credited as a magnificent Hit Girl, she kick's more ass than Kick-Ass, and does it so well, you enjoy watching her fight off twenty bad guys, she has no fear, that could be to do with her father shooting her at the beginning. But anyway, to the viewer she seems invincible.
So in conclusion; the amazing adaption of Big Daddy and Hit Girl more than makes up for the sheer travesty of Red Mist's adaption. Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) is brilliant; he acts his part excellently, as does Mark Strong. Kick-Ass is an amazing film, not in the same way 'the dark knight' was, but it still raises the bar for the next comic book films. This is more than differently worth seeing and the graphic novel is worth checking out to! See it NOW, and if you've seen it, see it AGAIN!