Kick-Ass

I remember Roger Ebert categorizing this movie as “morally reprehensible” and gave it one star. The idea of a costumed 11-year old girl killing and maiming bad guys made him fearful of the possible psychological damage it could cause children under 10 who watched this movie. But for me this was a fun movie; uncomfortably hilarious in some spots, and just plain funny in others, like a black comedy that couldn’t possibly be taken seriously. It’s every comic book geek’s dream to don a mask and tights and pretend to be a superhero. But what would happen in the real world if an ordinary person with no special abilities became a superhero? The film is based on the comic book by the same name, which I must confess, I’ve never read.

The main character Dave (Aaron Johnson) is the epitome of a geeky comic book collecting teen. He asks the question at the beginning of the movie why don’t people dress up as superheroes and fight crime? And he has a good point. With the popularity of comics you’d think there would be a (mentally unbalanced) person or two that would put on a mask and cape and come up with some gadgets and weapons to give them the upper-hand over criminals.

Before too much longer we find Dave dressed in a mail-order scuba suit and cowl, work gloves, Timberland boots and carrying 2 batons ready to fight crime. Facing down two delinquents who fleeced him for lunch money at school, the newly christened Kick-Ass not only get’s his ass kicked, but stabbed and hit by a car.

After a long and arduous recovery in the hospital we learn that Dave’s bones have been reinforced with metal plates and he’s had damage to his nerve endings which makes him insensate to pain. A new improved Kick-Ass takes to the streets looking for a lost cat named Mr. Bitey (I’m sorry, but who names their cat Mr. Bitey?) but instead, sort of by accident, saves a man who is being chased by 3 gang-bangers.

Except as comic relief, Kick-Ass is actually the least interesting character in the film. With no powers or fighting skills he’s down right boring and pathetic. His alter-ego Dave, with the angst he goes through, with his friends and father, is much more interesting and funny than his costumed persona.

Fortunately the characters that really make this move shine are Big Daddy (Nicholas Cage) and the “morally reprehensible” Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz). A father-daughter crime-fighting duo. If you could imagine what the 1960s Batman and Robin would be like in these modern day troubled times, I think they would resemble these ruthless and deadly characters. Nicholas Cage shows off some acting skills as he does an Adam West impersonation in the guise of Big Daddy. The costumes also pay homage to Batman and Robin with Big Daddy’s cowl, color scheme and utility belt, and the mask that Hit Girl wears looks like a replica of Robin’s. The similarities end there. These two are the most efficient costumed assassins since the Punisher.

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting movie that will make you laugh, albeit uncomfortably in some spots, I definitely recommend Kick-Ass. This is a film that shouldn’t be taken seriously and in fairness to Roger Ebert, shouldn’t be seen by kids under the age of 10. Out of 5 fingers I give it a 3.5.