KICK-ASS (English/18+)
Genre: Action/Comedy
Release Date: 16 April 2010
Distributor: LionsGate/Universal Pictures
Running Time: 117 minutes
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Producers: Matthew Vaughn, Brad Pitt, Kris Thykier, Adam Bohling, Tarquin Pack, David Reid
Writers: Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman; Mark Millar (comic), John Romita Jr (illustrator)
Casts: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage, Mark Strong
Plot: Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super hero even though he has no powers or training.
THE VERDICT
Did Kick-Ass really kick-ass in the end? This is a simple question to answer; yes indeed. Forget about how I have to go against Roger Ebert for the second time this year because it doesn't deserved the single star that he gave. I believe in superhero and I believe in a strong movie that uses different and unconventional method in it. I rather find it very charming, unique, filled with feel good sentiment about been a loser and yet very engaging. Take this as a swift-cross between Zombieland, Taratino's works and any superhero movies you have seen before.
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A straight adaptation from Mark Millar's Marvel comic, a high school teenager Dave Lizewski (Johnson) lives a double life with his alter ego Kick-Ass. Arms with batons and dresses up in the green suit, he fights his way over the New York criminals. Meanwhile, another costumed vigilantes Hit Girl (Moretz) and his paranoid father Big Daddy (Cage) are also in town, spotted the talent of Kick-Ass despite his lack of real superpower and training. Believing Kick-Ass to be responsible for numerous deaths within his crew, local crime syndicate leader Frank D'Amico (Strong) orders his men to eliminate Kick-Ass with the help of his son, Chris who possesses as Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse).
First let's talk about the story. Kick-Ass is followable and has a solid piece of story line. It seems amazing that writer-director Matthew Vaughn was able to connect each character well in a 117-minute satire. Thanks to Mark Millar's strong turning on the comic book too; this adaptation is been meaningful and entertaining. Maybe Kick-Ass is himself a loser, one without any proper training and real-deal to fight crimes, but he is an underdog with strong determinant for one. He believes in super heroes just like anyone of us. There is always a hero in our life and that is one stuff Vaughn was able to deliver it clearly for the film. Besides learning to be a hero, the film also revolves around the vengeance for terrible past for Big Daddy where he fights for the justice and been personal.
The story is able to deal with two sides of the film well; one been a journey to become a hero for others and another one been justice with a vengeance and vendetta. Kick-Ass is not only been a virtual superhero movie like others. It has emotion and it also has a true blood to deal with. Humours are what make this film comparable to Zombieland but there are some degree it feels a little let down. While both are not only action comedy, there are also been truly bloody and narrated from the first point of view to reflect the emotion and mayhem for the lead role. Kick-Ass may be criticized for its ultra-violent sequences but the contemporary style cliches with what Quentin Taratino did too. From what Taratino did with his works where many action sequences are been fast-paced, funny and bloody at the same time; Kick-Ass provides the same feeling too and it is unnaturally unorthodox too.
Please don't get mistake when you see Hit Girl. Unmistakably sweet from the outside but once she swears, she can do that non-stop and she will cut your throat in seconds. The action sequence can be very fast, delicate and graphic as well. You may also experience many unique story-telling; like the way they tell the dark history of Big Daddy in the spreadsheets of illustration or how Hit Girl hunts enemies in a-la Doom style. By far, it is the most controversial movie ever and it will definitely spark a lot of uneasiness. Perhaps a strong writing and direction from the one who is known as Mark Millar and Matthew Vaughn really works for this type; fairly said.
On the casting note, it is supposed to be Aaron Johnson's movie but it did not turn as quite it is. Not that he is bad or what, Aaron Johnson is accurate for been someone underdog, that he instantly reminds me of Jesse Eisenberg or Michael Cera. Perhaps the one whom steals all the limelights is Chloe Moretz in her Hit Girl outfit truly ass-kicking, swearing c*** like saying how are you. Yes, the role requires lots of profanity and violence, but she is perhaps the best character in the movie. Similarly, I feel that Nicolas Cage fortune is rising. No bad hair this time and certainly his insanity of glory past has back. No doubt, a strong return for Cage? Even Mark Strong in his again villain role looks kick-ass.
THE RATING:
Story - 4.0 stars
Casts - 4.5 stars
Cinematography - 4.0 stars
Effects - 3.5 stars
OVERALL - 4.0 stars
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 16.3
First let's talk about the story. Kick-Ass is followable and has a solid piece of story line. It seems amazing that writer-director Matthew Vaughn was able to connect each character well in a 117-minute satire. Thanks to Mark Millar's strong turning on the comic book too; this adaptation is been meaningful and entertaining. Maybe Kick-Ass is himself a loser, one without any proper training and real-deal to fight crimes, but he is an underdog with strong determinant for one. He believes in super heroes just like anyone of us. There is always a hero in our life and that is one stuff Vaughn was able to deliver it clearly for the film. Besides learning to be a hero, the film also revolves around the vengeance for terrible past for Big Daddy where he fights for the justice and been personal.
