Kick Ass

No need for cleverly thought out title here. Yesterday, I treated myself to the movie Kick Ass, who's posters have been getting my attention for weeks now (and giving me a fun subway game for when I travel). Needless to say, the movie lived up to it's apt title. If you are unaware this is movie about a teen, Dave Lisewski played by Aaron Johnson, who decides to dress in costume and be a superhero. This would be great but seeing as he has no actual abilities other than the need to do something about the crime in his neighborhood and be an all around good guy.

I love the story seeing as this sort of thing has happened and when combined with the reality of the power of online video it all makes sense that he would become famous. The story line of Big Daddy and Hit Girl, while over the top for reality, fits right in, in this comic world. And as characters, Big Daddy is definitely a comic archetype. Wrongly accused man sent to jail, loses wife, plans revenge and trains his daughter to help. (Actually that's practically Sweeney Todd, but no singing happens in this movie.) Aaron Johnson is great as the title character for man reasons. As Dave, he's your every man, relating to just about anyone, he's funny in the obvious gags but also in more subtle moments, and he is great as the emotional cornerstone of the film. The audience was right there with him at every turn. While that's well and good, Hit Girl played by Chloe Grace Moretz steals the show from everybody. In part because you just don't expect to hear such foul language coming from a 12 year old but also because the character is fearless and completely bad ass. The fight choreography for her is incredible. The audience was literally Oohing and Ouching with every blow. Mark Strong always makes for a good villain and has been turning up as one a lot this year I've noticed. Christopher Mintz-Plasse was, as always, balancing a fine line between charming and annoying. I must admit as Red Mist I found him oddly attractive. I think by and large it has do with that killer wig, black and red and spiky. Hearkens to my Rufio complex (I did anyone with that sort of hair.) While I do find Aaron Johnson attractive in this role, I'm put off by the fact that he recently impregnated his 43 year old girlfriend. A dad by 20 is kind of a turn off. Not that the actor's appearances have much to do with my appreciation of the film, it does help especially with action/male based stories. The production value was good, lots of explosions guns and knifes what have you, and as I've already said the fight choreography was tops. On that violent note, I should state it was A LOT bloodier than I anticipated. I had read it was violent but violent doesn't always mean bloody. Luckily, it was bloody in a sin city, kill bill, graphic novel way so not unbearable. Also, over the years I have honed and mastered the skill of looking at something but not really seeing it, which came in handy here (it is also good for avoiding the countless vagrants in the city and creepy people you work with).

Overall, I loved this movie. It made my day and if I weren't so poor I'd go see it again. It's at turns funny, occasionally bittersweet, and, of course, chock full of action. There is really only one way to describe and that is, KICK ASS.