Kick-Ass Review

The Zombieland of 2010 arrives this weekend in the form of Kick-Ass. When I caught wind of this film and how wonderful early test screenings played, the first thought that came to my mind was that it couldn't possibly be that good. I was right, but it's still one hell of a good ride. The film doesn't meet up to the ridiculously high expectations, but that doesn't detract from the quality of the film much. There are plenty of flaws in the production, but the film survives them because it's good for the right reasons.

Kick-Ass is about Dave Lizewski, an average kid with no superpowers, no tragic family death, and nothing that typically leads to one becoming a superhero. Put simply, he becomes a superhero because he wants to be the first. It automatically propells him into a world of brutal drug dealers, and even more violent vigilante superheroes. The first gripe some will have with the film is that Kick-Ass isn't the most interesting thing in this movie. I would have a problem with it if they didn't intend to have it that way, but they did.

Lizewski is meant to be a total wuss, and nobody would be surprised if it turned out he was gay. He doesn't have the same determination that Big Daddy (Nicholas Cage) and Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) have, and he really isn't that good at crime fighting. The film really does belong to Hit Girl, the murderous, profane 11 year old superhero. She makes her grand entrance in an fun, energetic action sequence set to the theme of the Banana Splits. She is the embodiment of everything Dave wishes he could be, but just isn't. Many have said that because of her character they wouldn't bring their kids to Kick-Ass because of her, but I'd definitely bring my kids to see this film. That is assuming I become as horrible a father as I hope I will.

The action in this movie has that comedic flair to it, because despite the violence and moral undertones of the film, this is a comedy. While it takes a while for the film to find solid narrative ground, it bides time with hilarious non-stop jokes. Then the action starts and that propels us through the second half of the film. The acting in the film ranges from solid to straight up phenomenal. Nicholas Cage, whose acting style I usually hate, gives his best performance since Leaving Las Vegas 15 years ago. Aaron Johnson does a passable job as Lizewski, mostly because he is the character.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) is very close to leaving behind the harrowing title of McLovin. Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes) does a great as the villain, but he gets stuck with this type of role all the time that he is in danger of being typecast. Chloe Moretz (500 Days of Summer) delivers a career making performance as Hit Girl, and I'm looking forward to seeing her in the American remake of Let the Right One in. The problems I spoke of earlier are terrible cinematography, cheesy visual effects, and an overused main theme, but given the fact that the film cost only $28 million, I'm not going to dwell too much on that. Kick-Ass is more than saved by the great acting, story, screenplay, and direction.

B+