From the minute I walked into the movie theater today, I knew that my years of trying to defend geekdom were not in vain-- the first three of five movie trailers before the lights went down? Comic Book Movie adaptations. ridiculous, and awesome. Now, getting that out of the way, I have had a couple hours to digest my thoughts on Kick-Ass and I'd like to share 'em:
This movie was exactly what's promoted. For those who've been oblivious to, or ignoring, the various trailers and posters splayed across billboards and subway stops, Kick-Ass is a film about a teenager who asks the question, "how come nobody's ever tried to become a superhero, in real life?" The answer is, because you're going to get the holy hell knocked out of you. Dave wants to become a superhero. So, he buys himself a wetsuit on e-bay, and heads out to make a dent in the world. Naming himself Kick-Ass, he is almost immediately hospitalized, but the young man remains unfazed and once his strength returns he continues his "crimefighting" and along the way he meets Hit Girl and Big Daddy, a father-and-daughter pair of vigilantes (Nicholas Cage and Chloe Moretz) who are far more suited to this kind of work, and these fledgling heroes end up butting heads with one of New York's stereotypical-type crime bosses. Things get gritty, gory and glorious.
And Matthew Vaughn, who's directed a few other great films (Layer Cake, Stardust) knows how to blend action-based fiction with a heartfelt story and some important lessons. The struggles Kick-Ass undergoes mirror your Peter Parker attempts of the early Spider-Man films, and the father-daughter relationship is a touching as it is twisted.
I think what pleased my inner geek most was how effectively Vaughn stuck to the original source material, and the few changes made which actually worked better for film than the original bits.
However, the thing I'd much rather talk about with this film is the one thing that could potentially neuter the full-scope of the viewing audience -- the "R" rating. You know what, folks? I don't think this movie could have been what it was without it. There's profanity abound, and there's violence that, in any other context, might be called gratuitous. But you know what? THIS IS A COMIC BOOK MOVIE. of course there's going to be gratuity. If you're an adult, wary about seeing this film, and mature enough to say, "okay, I don't like profanity and violence but I'm open-minded and I won't get my panties in a twist over it," then you'll enjoy it as much as the rest of us. I acknowledge it's over the top, but it's stylistic.
Stylistic violence? yes, dear reader. This production pulls no punches- it knows it's a bit silly, and frankly the tongue-in-cheek commentary about how gorramn goofy one would look hitching up one's underwear-on-the-outside (with cape, of course) and attempting to talk an armed robber out of his theft. Kick-Ass gets the merciful heavens beaten out of him, multiple times, and if anything I think it would send a logical message to younger viewers, "don't be a dipshit. fantasy is for your enjoyment, DO NOT attempt this at home". Another great moment that pokes fun at the superhero genre is one of my favorites, hands-down, in the film. In what can only be described as inspired, Nicholas Cage's already-comic-book-over-the-top Big Daddy has a distinct "voice" a la the Christian Bale take on Batman (clear inspiration for Big Daddy)...however, Cage's Hero Voice is, I kid you not, a cross between William Shatner and Adam West-era Batman. It's amazing. For all the gripe Cage can get about some of his over-the-top acting in films recently, I'll call this one fantastic and not regret it. Perfectly cast. creepy at times, but perfectly cast.
I don't think I can write this article fairly without bringing up a key chatter point about the film, namely that co-star Chloe Moretz has been given a lot of attention as the katana-wielding, swear-powerhouse twelve-year-old. Older generations who have learned more about this movie are appalled that such a young child could be allowed to say things that would make most people's jaws drop. And that this sort of film, and a role like hers, would be a bad influence on teenagers and pre-teens who managed to see it.
Frankly, I think her own quote could sum it up far better than I could, in response to audiences that have a problem with the youngster spouting foul language and dicing up drug dealers:
"Just because I talk a way in a movie doesn't mean I'd ever do it in real life. My friends don't talk that way." (source)
She's quite mature and appropriate regarding the whole situation, I feel, and as an actor I feel that if these sorts of articles, and not just the criticisms, were circulated then perhaps those with weak stomachs wouldn't complain as loudly and unnecessarily.
and here's another article that explains how her mother has had a strong hand in keeping her level-headed and helping her define the line between acting and reality.
Back to the review.
As a film itself, I feel that Kick-Ass is a very enjoyable depiction of what it might be like to try and struggle with such an outlandish career choice. But that's what makes it so GOOD, you see? when Mark Millar wrote this he knew what he was doing and I feel that as comic books and cbm's (comic book movies) become more mainstream-accepted, having a deconstruction piece that has no problem acknowledging how silly it can be while giving you a fun action flick, that's a well-spent movie ticket.
Three and a half stars out of four.
