Review: Kick-Ass

Finally saw this a couple of nights ago, and I thought it was great fun. Only minor criticism was that the first 20-30 minutes was a tiny bit repetitive. It seemed to over-do the fact he was a normal kid, and ask a couple of times why no one else had done this. But from the time he first steps in to the end it was superb.

Was ok, fun enough. A pretty good origin story to the obligatory sequels.

If I gave this to my parents they wouldn't know what to make of it - all the teen/internet/superhero stuff. My Dad used to watch the Superman serials, but he'd never "get" this, it's a world apart, and therefore they couldn't care less - just another effects movie for kids (although wierdly it is aimed at 13-16 year olds now, but a few years back would have been an 18). Just wondering how close I am to not giving a shit about this sort of film anymore?

Also, had to look up that it was a 15. Can't believe that. Fucking videogame generation, desensitising themselves to casual violence like that *tuts*

Edited at 15:08 on 06/06/10

Finally got to see this and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Just bought the soundtrack, too.

Best bits in the trailer? I disagree.

*Elvis jet pack was quite a wonderful surprise*

I loved the first third, didn't think much of the second third, then loved the final third (though I wasn't too sure about him becoming a mass murdering Rocketeer at the end).

Unfortunately, as usually happens, all the best jokes were in the trailers. That's OK for casual cinema goers, but for internet nerds like myself there wasn't anything new (same thing happened with Iron Man).

I've just watched it. Loved each and every minute of it. High were my expectations, not a single was left unsatisfied.

Actually, maybe one thing hurt me, but it wasn't the problem of the film but the problem of the disease called "censorship translation of dialogue lines". I don't know (actually, I do know, but I don't accept the explanation) why people responsible for translating films in my country (and it applies to all types of them, those meant to be shown at cinemas, or those set only to DVD, films and tv series broadcast on TV alike) apparently think that words like "fuck, fucking, cunt, cocksucker", etc, are not supposed to be translated, they are just omitted or softened. Not all, but let's say, 80%. Because, you know, we have to be prepared for one's grandma coming with her 10 year old grandson for a family comedy and then hearing (actually, reading, coz dialogues are in English) "fucks" all film long. Coz Kick-Ass sounds like a film for everyone. FUCK YOU POLISH TWATS TRANSLATORS. Why you leave every 5th "fuck"? Don't limit yourselves, cut all of them, add kindergarten song and smiles to every line. FUCK.

To end with some optimism: I loved the film. It reminded me of "Wanted". It melted my brain in the way that after leaving the theatre I was thinking "Hell, I wish those stories were possible". I love when a film sucks me into its world and makes me forget how ordinary my life is. My ass was kicked. Big time.


Edited at 22:33 on 28/04/10

There was a crowd of teens filming a mortal homeless (I have seen him before) guy as I left. Chavs in, chavs outside, different ethnic groups of chavs shouting at each other in. I hate the Gate

Edited at 19:11 on 02/04/10

I was considering seeing this tonight, then I realised the cinema will almost certainly be filled with cockfaces. I'll wait a while.

I've just came back from it and found it extremely entertaining. No sexualising of children, no parallels to the Bulger or Damilola murders, Cage being a wild eyed scenery chewer and tom and jerry violence (apart from odd occasions where Vaugne really wants you to feel it)

I laughed in glee at the first person sequence, but like Rec2, there's not enough...

4/5 from me as it lulls a bit 2/3rds of the way in. (way too many fractions there)

One crucial note is that just like "Wanted" the movie version is sufficiently different from the comic to warrent watching it. In the Wanted comic (I'm passed calling them graphic novels. It's no insult to call them comics. The Bayeux Tapestry is a comic) he's the air to a supervillian organisation, not assasins and in Kick-Ass the plot deviates enough to make it fresh.

It shows that slavish adherence to the source sometimes is not a good thing, and that a different medium can show different aspects.

Watchmen still rocks mind, and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is still a pile of shit though (no matter how many times I watch it. Probably 10+ last count)

I got Cage channelling Shatner in the early scenes, but I can totally see where you are coming from with Adam West.

The Mail review also avoids the underlying moral message it sort of puts out there. If you see someone being fucked up. step in, don't just ignore it.

Edited at 18:28 on 02/04/10