Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage & Chloe Moretz
A fun and energetic superhero film that plays with the conventions of the genre in a manner that is both more realistic and violent yet is also more humorous and cartoonish at times than other films of its kind.
With superhero films an ever growing genre in cinema since Spider-Man in 2002 to the point that they often dominate the summer blockbuster season and annual box office takings, it was only a matter of time until a film was made that asked what it would be like if someone chose to be a superhero for real, devoid of superpowers. Based on the Marvel Comics mini-series that aimed to answer this question, Kick-Ass comes to cinema screens courtesy of Matthew Vaughn, director of Layer Cake and Stardust, whose commitment to the project saw him self finance much of the film’s production. The resulting film’s commercial appeal is yet to be seen, but it is certainly a fun adaptation of the comic.
Dave (Johnson) is an average, unhappy teen. Ignored by the girl he likes and neither popular nor talented, he spends his time reading comic books and imagines being a hero. Driven by the curiosity into why no one has ever tried to be a superhero in real life, he dons a costume purchased online and goes out to combat street crime and quickly learning, through serious physical injury, that life as a superhero is more dangerous than in comic books. When an encounter with a drug dealer has him cross paths with a father/daughter duo named Hit Girl (Moretz) and Big Daddy (Cage) who’ve also taken to donning costumes to take down the mafia, Dave has to decide whether he really has the courage and skill to be a real hero in a world where he really can die suddenly, and violently as a result and also face the celebrity status he attains when his exploits are filmed and posted across the internet.
Violent, sometimes in a cartoonish manner, and filled with gags throughout, Kick-Ass is certain to offend some whilst entertaining others. Those offended by violence on screen or at the thought of a ten year old girl swearing would do best to avoid but such instances are also highly amusing in how they play and push against what is deemed fun or acceptable in a superhero film, part of a genre that usually attempts to appeal to a wider audience and to all ages. A superhero film for children this is not, instead Kick-Ass is both a mature and immature take, depending on the scene, of what being a superhero in a world without superpowers might be like. The ridiculousness of superhero costumes, names and capabilities are portrayed as is the grim reality of the dangers one can face. When Dave’s first outing leaves him broken and hospitalised for months with later encounters also not afraid to be brutal, the reasons that would deter most from attempting what Dave attempts is made quite clear even if it over-dramatised that fight sequences are often thrilling and even funny in regards to Hit Girl whose very age in relation to her abilities is one of the most entertaining aspects to the film. The film does however veer too closely to parody at times, especially in the film’s penthouse battle finale and plays too loosely on occasion with stereotypes but generally this distracts very little from the fun though some representations of women jar for their sexism (all willing girlfriends/eye candy).
Aaron Johnson plays Dave/Kick-Ass quite well. His performance never afraid to show how naïve and immature he and his ideas of becoming a hero really is. When faced with the violent reality of his lifestyle and the threats to his life present themselves, Johnson ably shows a gradual maturity in Dave’s behaviour with him facing his self in a mirror prior to the film’s climax particularly effective in him realising what responsibilities he has taken on. Nicolas Cage and Chloe Moretz stand out as the over-the-top and always entertaining Big Daddy and Hit Girl with Moretz in particular enjoying the opportunity to fight crime and swear and the violence she and Cage engage in, in the film, contrasts very well with the endearing and loving the relationship they have with each other. Mark Strong is decent as the crime boss whom the heroes are aiming to take down and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) is very funny as another teen, like Dave, who takes up the chance to wear a costume and play hero.
Overall Kick-Ass is lots of fun. While trying to imagine what super-heroics might be like in the real world, some scenes that ring true (such as the danger one would face), but the film’s embracing of the more comical aspects of such a lifestyle and its increasing veer into over-the-top violence and heroics towards the film’s finale offers fun if silly ending.
Rating: 3/5
