Kick-Ass (Matthew Vaughan, 2010)



Oh flip sake! I've darn diddly killed someone!

What's it about? A nerdy teenager (Aaron Johnson) sets out to become a real-life superhero, a move that brings him to the attention of vigilante crime-busting father-and-daughter team Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz), as well as dangerous bad guy Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong).

Is it any good? A colourful, action-packed affair, nicely played and with tongue firmly in cheek. However, there is something slightly uncomfortable about the casual violence, probably because the film initially establishes a world where violence is real and has consequences, but then progresses into increasingly cartoon violence. That inconsistency in tone means the action (in particular Hit Girl's fight with D'Amico) can't really be laughed off so easily. But, despite the slightly muddy morality, the action is well-handled and the whole thing is gently satirical and enjoyable.

I don't trust you. What do others think? Mostly positive reviews, with some notable exceptions, but there was a bit of a media hoo-haa over the casual swearing, particularly the use of the dreaded "c-word" by Hit Girl. In contrast, the fact that she brutally kills several people in the film raised barely an eyebrow.

What does the Fonz think? Kicks ass! And other bad words.


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