KICK-ASS

I've never been a 'comic book' kind of guy, it's just never been something that's ever interested me.  Having said that, I've been putting off seeing Kick-Ass ever since I read that the movie was a comic book adaptation.  Big mistake on my part.

What comes across in the posters and previews as a type of schlock superhero movie, turns out to be a legit, big budget, full-on action movie.  The premise is such that Dave (Aaron Johnson) wonders aloud why nobody has attempted to be a real superhero, and decides to go into the crime-fighting business on his own, clad in scuba gear and calling himself Kick-Ass.  His first encounter as Kick-Ass goes quickly south, but he manages to survive and fight another day, and eventually winds up being a viral sensation on Youtube.

Taking his cue, we're introduced to Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz).  This is where the real fun starts.  Hit Girl is the star of the movie.  The 11 year old, four and a half foot, foul mouthed, knife wielding aficionado and her father, Big Daddy, are top notch killing machines.  A particular scene where we first see Hit Girl in action really jump starts the film, and lets the viewer know that this isn't your daddy's superhero movie.

Blood.  Guts.  Severed limbs.  All in a day's work for this band of superheroes.  There are many cringe inducing scenes that feel brutal at the time, but quickly subside as you can't help but admire Hit Girl's athleticism and total control of any situation she's put into.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the movie tied up loose ends and pulled many of the minor scenes together in order to make a very coherent and cohesive film.  At 1 hour and 56 minutes long, it surely could have been shortened a bit, but I'm not complaining. 

Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin from Superbad) seemed a bit miscast, and his characters motives swung more than once or twice, not sure of what he was supposed portray to the audience.  I did however enjoy Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine, Sex Drive) in a minor role as one of Dave's buddies, who comes across as the perfect high-school geek that everybody likes anyway.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the movie, and it certainly peaked my interest in the new Scott Pilgrim vs. The World movie coming out next week (also a comic book adaptation).  I definitely say it's worth renting - just be prepared to hear a 11 year old say words only a truck driver could get away with....  4 out of 5 stars.