Kick-Ass

Released: 2010

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Mark Strong

Certificate: 15

Reviewed By: Darryl Griffiths

We’ve seen many comicbook creations hit the big screen over the last decade or so, but not many.. that literally tear the rulebook up. Courtesy of British hot property Matthew Vaughn, comes the adaptation of the graphic novel ‘Kick Ass’. Right from its parody style beginning, you know we’re in for a leftfield take on the genre. It ponders on a question that maybe many people have thought about in our own little daydreams, why couldn’t your average human being try and be an ass kicking crime fighter in a costume?

Our heart and soul of the film comes courtesy of Dave Lizewski, played by Aaron Johnson. He is the embodiment of your everyday geek, whose love for comicbooks is never in question. Despite his lack of superhuman traits, he takes it upon himself to take matters into his own hands and purchases a rather ‘vibrant’ costume online. Initial scuffles in such gear land him in a percarious situation, but one incident in particular where he fights off a street gang that is filmed by onlookers, propels him into a nationwide sensation.

He soon finds however, that he’s not the only superhero wannabe with their own agendas. We have the unexpected combo of Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and his sharp tongued daughter Hit Girl/Mindy Macgready (Chloe Moretz), who are trying to crush the plans of an organised crime lord Frank D’amico played by Mark Strong. As problems pile up, he orders his slightly naive son Chris (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) to undergo a radical makeover himself and takes on his own alter ego Red Mist.

The actors seem to relish their respective parts. Cage is normally the ‘go to’ guy for pure offbeat roles and enhances that belief here. Strong’s reputation continues to grow and deservedly so with a solid villainous performance here, with Mintz Plasse and Johnson competent also. But the film truly belongs to Moretz. Despite its implausabilites, she is utterly convincing. Whether shes spouting every foul mouthed word in her vocabulary, or being lethal with a samurai sword she is the one character who truly wins you over.

Props to Vaughn however, who has certainly helped to subvert and send up a few conventions of such a genre here that helps to give ‘Kick Ass’ a healthy sense of freshness. He’s always had an ear for a brlliant soundtrack and its no exception here. His use of such artists’ music such as Elvis Presley is inspired and really does accentuate the satirical feel.

It’s bonkers, morally questionable but it is ridiculously entertaining! Does exactly what it says in its title.. K.I.C.K.A.S.S.