Without meaning to sound Clichéd, this film Kicked-Ass.

Rating: 9/10 (14 May 2010)

Kick-Ass is by far not a normal superhero movie. First of all, there are no 'super'-heroes they are just normal people. All with motives and personal vendettas that are all perfectly explained through character development. Which is surprising when many characters are introduced as random points.
The Plot of Kick-Ass is fairly simple. Aaron Johnson plays David Lewizski, a typical teenager even described by himself as: "just existing." (As a small note, he is the perfect protagonist for the target audience of this film.) He spends the majority of his time reading comic books and fanatically talking about trivial activities and fantasising about his female teachers. Being such a comic fanatic, David ponders why no one has ever tried being a super-hero. His friends quickly respond by insisting that they would get their ass kicked. (A nice in Joke to the title.) Un-deterred, David pursues his dream and buys his own costume and weapons. And dubs himself under the pseudonym "Kick Ass." This provides the premise for the rest of the film which involves small time crooks and larger mafia style gang warfare. The result is something like Spiderman 2 combined with Pulp Fiction. And by the way, the film totally 'Kicks-Ass'.
The film has a gritty reality that is always present and constant during the course of the film. For example, during his first fight Kick Ass is stabbed and ran over. Rather than glamorising the life of a superhero it does quite the opposite by showing the harsh reality, pain and suffering. This is rather gruesomely shown in a scene in which Kick Ass and fellow superhero Bid Daddy are tortured by mobsters.
Although this is a radical step away from normal convention in superhero movies, and the juxtaposition of superhero and normal person is brilliantly portrayed, this is unfortunately a weak spot in the movie for me. The gritty reality and message is thrown upon the audience without knowing.
Think of it this way, the title "Kick-Ass" suggests a comic superhero movie that will predominately tongue in cheek. However, this film completely surprises you and offers no comedy but instead a torture scene comparable to perhaps reservoir dogs. It is like some kind of sick joke. The reaction of the people I saw this with were similar. How did this film become so dark humoured and taboo? Without saying too much, it is fair to say that there will almost certainly be a sequel to "Kick-Ass". The title? Perhaps "Kick some more ass". I don't know.
Whilst I recommend you watch this film, I seriously recommend you expect the unexpected. Some things may come as a surprise.