Jan 27: Kick-Ass

"Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so."

   Kick-Ass is a one of a kind movie that takes every piece of superhero lore and turns it on its violent, badass side. I figure the only way to end "The Glorification of the Great Nicolas Cage" week is with a brutally epic finish. I remember seeing Kick-Ass in theaters and wanting to go out on the streets and fight bad guys myself. After another viewing, I still have that urge, and if these blog entries stop after tonight, you know I have committed my life to fighting crime... or died trying.

   The film follows a teenage nerd who thinks he has what it takes to be a superhero and meets other actual "heroes" in the process of becoming one himself. When I was his age, I just kept praying that I would be bitten by a radioactive spider or find out that I'm an alien from a planet far away. This kid actually does something about that desire to be a hero, and he really does kick a lot of ass. Sure, a lot of the stuff he goes through and the things he can get away with seem far-fetched, but the way everything goes down is just too cool to question. There are a handful of action sequences that are not only filmed well but scream badass louder than Clint Eastwood riding a flying Velociraptor into a space-war to fight Hitler. 

No camera could capture such epic-ness.

   Nicolas Cage finally has a role (post National Treasure) that is absolutely made for him. He plays Big Daddy, a more violent, mustached version of Batman and even channels his inner Adam West when he's in costume. One of the coolest scenes in Kick-Ass is when Cage fights his way into a warehouse and brutally murders a group of thugs, all set to the theme from 28 Days Later. Everyone else is just as good in their roles, and each character has a moment to show how much they can kick ass themselves. 

Yes. 

   Overall, Kick-Ass is the kind of action film you want to take home to your mother...if she doesn't mind getting punched in the face. The film has just the right amount of over-the-top violence, action and cheese that you can't help but love it. Nicolas Cage is amazing in his role, and Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) shows he really can do what his name states. Chloe Grace Moretz is the one to reckon with as Hit Girl, who dishes out the most beatings, kills, and f-bombs in the entire film. Kick-Ass has everything you would want in an action movie and a superhero movie. Imagine a time and place where Batman wouldn't just throw his villains into prison, but slit their throats and shotgun them in the face, and you get Kick-Ass. 

Sight: The visuals fit the plot very well, each action scene showing the visceral carnage and rage behind each beating and killing in all sorts of ways (including a scene lit by gun fires and a first person night-vision view of the bad guys).

Sound: A lot of the songs in Kick-Ass' score will sound familiar, as a lot of the music is borrowed from other media. However, the recognition of the songs makes the scenes feel even cooler. 

Skill: Great casting all around as each actor fills his/her role with ease. And, everyone looks like they are having too much fun... you get jealous. 

Script: Great one-liners and with a simple script, Kick-Ass does just that as simple as possible without an over-cluttered story or an overload of villains. 

Overall: 8.6/10

Best Quote:

Damon: "So... Have you thought a little more about what you might want for your birthday?" 
Mindy: "Can I get a puppy?" 
Damon: [surprised] "You wanna get a dog?" 
Mindy: "Yeah, a cuddly fluffy one, and a Bratz movie-star make over Sasha!" 
[Damon is stunned] 
Mindy: [laughs] "I'm just fuckin' with you Daddy! Look, I'd love a Benchmade model 42 butterfly knife." 
Damon: [relieved] "Oh, child... You always knock me for a loop!"