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Kick-Ass

April 8th 2010 04:59

This stunning adaptation by Matthew Vaughn of Mark Millar’s comic book series Kick-Ass is a deliriously executed, daringly original slice of cinematic heaven; both hilarious and gruesome, it’s like a cross between Zack Snyder’s Watchmen (2009) and Takashi Miike’s Ichi the Killer (2001). When a more-average-than-average New York schoolboy, Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), ponders the nature of superheroes, wondering if someone as commonplace as he could ever fit the bill, his friends just shower him with ridicule. Purchasing a weird green wetsuit on-line he decides to take the idea a step further. A first attempt to stop a crime in progress puts him in hospital with life-threatening injuries, but months later he persists, intervening in a street crime and becoming an overnight internet sensation.

Intertwined with Dave’s rise to fame as an unlikely masked hero are the stories of ruthless crime lord Frank D’Amico (the always brilliant Mark Strong), and a father and daughter inextricably linked to him - ex-cop Damon Macready (Nicolas Cage) and his wily 11 year-old daughter Mindy (Chloe Grace Moretz). Together this pair become Big Daddy and Hit Girl, a crime fighting duo whose ultimate goal is to wipe out the criminal empire of D’Amico who was responsible for framing Damon and killing his wife.

Kick-Ass is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing; trailers may lull prospective audiences into expecting a lightweight comedic adventure straddling the blurry borders of a PG rating. The reality is something very different – a tempest of over-the-top revenge killing, a classic comic-book fantasy bursting to life with colourful cartoonish excesses. Most impressive are the blood-drenched set-pieces which are startlingly well choreographed and edited. Underlined with the kind of humour that appeals to the geek inside us all, the film almost transcends the medium, inducing a perspective that will feel remarkably fresh to even the most jaded cinemagoer.

Vaughn’s direction of the action is first-rate – putting to bed the memories of Stardust (2007) - whilst not a single member of the cast misses a beat. Each is given ample opportunities to shine. The film has style to burn in every department with the violent action sequences playing out like torrid balletic movements set to exceptionally appropriate musical choices. Though the score is a hodgepodge attributed to four composers, the intelligent use of source music helps bring each of these liberating but confronting sequences to a powerful, emotional crescendo.

Johnson, who showed promise as a young John Lennon in last year's generally disappointing Nowhere Boy, adopts a flawless American accent for a role destined to bring him enough plaudits to seriously kick-start his career. For Cage, this is the best written role he’s had in years, his Batman-esque delivery of lines as Damon’s alter-ego typifying the clever minute details layered into the film’s dense architecture. Moretz proves to be star of the show however with her pint-sized physique no hindrance to Hit Girl’s compulsion for creating rampant destruction, all with a vicious tongue and tiny sneer.

Kick-Ass is the surprise packet of the year. Though likely to be offensively gratuitous to many, there’s no denying its sheer audaciousness. This is a gleefully sadistic piece of cinema, an intoxicating mish-mash of ideas that somehow come together to form a perfect multi-headed beast: comedy, action, horror, romance. Rarely do all these elements form such a cohesive whole. I loved every frame of it and can easily see myself going back for a second helping.

Watch the official trailer here.

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Posted By: David O'Connell - Category: No Category

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Comments

15 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Matt Shea

April 8th 2010 05:21

Nice write-up Dave. You're right: the trailers for this really don't grab the viewer. Your's isn't the first positive report I've heard - will be checking it out sharpish. Gotta say that Johnson is really shaping up as a strong young player.

Comment by David O'Connell

April 8th 2010 05:41

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Cheers Matt, it's an absolute blast and one of the most exhilarating things I've seen in ages. Didn't want it to end actually, and yes, Johnson is fantastic - definitely a great career move on his part! He and Moretz are both future stars.

Comment by Bryn

April 8th 2010 22:30

Horrorphile

Wow, David, great review. And yes, I was one of those that was intrigued by the two very different trailers I'd seen (one that showcased the girl and her father, and the other that focused on the boys), but neither trailer actually totally sold me. And the rating put me off too, I must admit. I actually thought it might have been another Robert Rodriguez Hollywood "kiddie" movie (the ones he does to get the financing to do his adult movies). I was meant to see a Popcorn Taxi screening, but was away on holiday. I'll most definitely check this out on the big screen!

Comment by JohnDoe

April 8th 2010 23:25

Film & TV on DVD

Thanks David,

This is my most anticipated film of the moment (Along with Inception and Splice)...that you gave it a good review just gets me more excited.

The first two trailers were so good i had to stop watching for fear of ruining all the best parts.

Comment by Bryn

April 8th 2010 23:46

Horrorphile

I'm still hanging for Wilderness and Hissss, and now for The Human Centipede

Comment by Anonymous

April 9th 2010 00:21

1 For The Road
Blondini
Reviews

I thought Nowhere boy was fantastic. You have to remember it was Sam Taylor-Woods first feature film and she's an artist, I think she did a great job and so did the actors.

Comment by asreoearth

April 9th 2010 02:11

Astroearth
Camera Sense

I wouldn't waste money on seeing it.

Comment by David O'Connell

April 9th 2010 07:17

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Thanks Bryn, yeah just need to forget you saw any trailers for this film - none of them really give a truly accurate indication of what to expect from it. You and JD will undoubtedly both lap up the violence and moments of gore which it never pulls back from, albeit in a slightly over-the-top, Kill Bill sort of way~!

Can't wait to see Inception too JD.

Anon, Nowhere Boy was passable as a debut but for mine Taylor-Wood didn't show enough flair with the subject matter she had at her disposal.

Too bad Astroearth - if you're referring to Kick-Ass, you'll definitely be in the minority!

Comment by Journeywoman

April 12th 2010 09:39

Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach

"Underlined with the kind of humour that appeals to the geek inside us all, the film almost transcends the medium, inducing a perspective that will feel remarkably fresh to even the most jaded cinemagoer."

That's it in one! Just saw it yesterday and I'm still giggling at the memory of some of the scenes. I really came out of this one on a high.

Chloe Moretz - what a scene stealer!

Comment by JohnDoe

May 5th 2010 02:13

Film & TV on DVD

Really fun film David,

I enjoyed its excess and was able to get past the inherit contradictions in the hyper-fantasy tone and staging versus the "real world" purpose of the central characters.

A full review is forthcoming.

Comment by David O'Connell

May 5th 2010 02:32

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

JD, can't wait to read your review of this one mate! Bring it on.

Comment by Hey

June 15th 2010 11:13

Here is a short video with Hit girl Really Long Link

Comment by Bryn

August 31st 2010 05:51

Horrorphile

Mish-mash alright. I finally caught up with it the other night and wasn't that impressed to be honest. I had high expectations I'll admit, but the tone of the movie just never jelled for me. The use of the pop songs during the ultra-violence grated on me, the strange blend of adolescent comedy with the drama seemed incongruous. I liked Mark Strong, he's always good value, and I enjoyed Chloe (more than I thought I would) ...

Comment by David O'Connell

August 31st 2010 06:22

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Yeah, no doubt your expectations were raised a little high. Too right mate, the score was amazing and doing a superb job - it drives me insane when songs get used inappropriately in films; it really jolts you out of the film and serves only to remind you of the limitless commercial opportunities being served by their inclusion. Tomorrow When the War Began annoyed the shit out of me in that regard.

Anyway, I understand some people not particularly liking Kick-Ass. For me though it's still the greatest thing since sliced bread!