KICK-ASS 3.0*** *(almost 3.5***)

I was initially skeptical about the prospect of watching another superhero spoof movie since most recent attempts have been unremarkable. But “Kick-Ass” rises above its predecessors by using a unique and entertaining style of parody. And, the smartly done action sequences would not feel out of place in a Spiderman film or even in a Tarantino film, and, in fact, the movie feels like Spiderman and Kill Bill were put into a blender and “Kick-Ass” was the end result.

The story focuses on Dave Lizewski, your average teenage nerd whose obsession with comic books inspires him to create his very own superhero, Kick-Ass, despite his complete lack of superpowers. Dave's first attempt at becoming a vigilante crime fighter fails miserably and he is severely injured, resulting in surgery in which his bones are mended with metal plates and nerve damage diminishes his ability to feel pain. It’s a much milder version of “RoboCob”. Despite this initially setback, Dave is unfazed and goes out again on patrol as Kick-Ass and manages to take down three thugs in a protracted, messy, amateurish fight. This is captured on a mobile phone and before long the video is on YouTube and Kick-Ass is a national phenomenon.

Later in the film, Kick-Ass meets fellow superheroes Red Mist, Big Daddy, and Hit Girl. Red Mist, like Kick-Ass, is a teen wanna-be-hero, but he has a dark secret. Big Daddy and Hit Girl are a father-daughter superhero team. Big Daddy is a middle age ex-cop and Hit Girl is his preteen daughter who is a formidable foe and an expert at killing, having been meticulously trained for such by her dad since birth. Hit Girl, as a foulmouthed, vicious, preteen superhero, manages to steal the movie with her swagger and bravado.


A key part of the film is its eclectic soundtrack with choice tracks taken from excellent films such as “28 Days Later” and “For a Few Dollars More”. The Kick-Ass soundtrack adapts the tracks brilliantly, making them feel like they were meant for the film. The choice of the music along with great borrowed songs, fit perfectly with the high-octane action sequences and even adds emotional depth to key scenes .

Kick-Ass is a fun, energetic film full of delightful moments of humor and action. It also has it’s violent moments and some bad language (especially and surprisingly from the hit girl character) and, thus, has an “R” rating. But overall it is one “kickass” of an entertaining movie.

Clark