REVIEW: Kick-Ass

I saw this film two weeks ago because it came out in the UK on the 26th of March. Here's the late review. Don't judge me! I'm just trying to catch up.

LIKES:

1) Story: I've never read the original comic so this is completely objective. I enjoyed the simple story. Who hasn't dressed up as their favorite superhero and become the great pretender? We all have and this film makes it a reality. It's also a PSA apprising you that if you do choose to become a superhero you will get your ass handed to you in different cuts. It's the typical "nerd doesn't fit in and then suddenly becomes cool" type of film but with a twist. It's raw and refined at the same time. The action is furious and the bloodflows turn into rivers as it earns its R rating. Start to finish it does not let up and keeps you laughing and keeps you enthralled.

2) Chloe Moretz: In a word Hit Girl is AWESOME. Chloe does such a great job with the character and weaves effortlessly between sweet little girl to gleeful filler. Nicolas Cage does an admirable job as the father and Big Daddy (via Adam West). After a strong of duds it's good to see him rebounding. Aaron Johnson is also impressive. He's clearly channelling Tobey Maguire's take on Peter Parker and it works. McLovin is also here and I don't really care for this guy. Seriously, why is he so popular? Shouldn't his star be falling by now? In any case his geek cred is utilized well here as he hams it up. If there is a sequel I can completely see hime becoming a similar villain to Sinestro from The Incredibles.

3) Direction: Every scene in the film drips with the Vaughn's skill. Forgetting his previous films it seems that stylized action just might be this man's calling. If you don't believe me you can check out Big Daddy's destruction of a warehouse and Hit Girl's two superb action sequences, especially the rescue in the dark. He blends his arsenal of effects well enough to keep you guessing. At the same time, it doesn't look overdone. This film wasn't made to be a blockbuster but it sure looks like one, akin to District 9 and Moon.

4) Action: The fight scenes are filmed with visceral realism and the cinematography is to thank. Too many times action sequences can be ruined by bad camera angles (I'm looking at you Batman). Not so with this film! It's almost videogame delicious and each bullet, punch, and kick leaps out at you from the screen to put you right i the middle of the action.

5) It's not in 3D: 'Nuff said.

DISLIKES:

1) Honestly, I found nothing seriously wrong with this film. The only thing I can think of is the attempts to tug at your heartstrings. Those scenes don't break the flow of the film but don't add anythin else to it either. Overall, I can't really fault them but only wish they had been done a little better. Otherwise, if you're fishing for faults then you're just too damn hard to please. The film does everything it promises and comes out swinging at the other end. The actors have fun with the material and it shows. This is the first real hit of the Spring/Summer season of films. Go watch it and have a riot.

OVERALL: 10/10