Movie Review: Kick-Ass

So yeah, I saw "Kick-Ass."


And yeah, it was against my better judgement. Seriously. I mean, I listen to Roger Ebert and Rotten Tomatoes. That doesn’t always mean I do what they say. I’m totally one for respecting others differences, but in the end, I believe that I have do what I want to do.

I wanted to see this movie. It’s pretty clear I love me some superhero movies. I really do. And everyone panned "Superman Returns. They were right. It sucked moosepenis. But I still went to see it. It’s just the way I am. Maybe it’s something inside my heart to be a rebel. And since I’m such a chickenshit to rebel against people I know, it’s much easier to rebel against writers and post-ers I’ve never met.

So I went to the critically panned Kick-Ass this past night. To show you how much of a rebel I am, I didn’t even try to convince my husband to go. The mere fact there was a swear word in the title turned him away.

Now I don’t know how to say this, but how can you agree with a critic AND say they’re wrong at the same time. Roger points out the violence in this movie, mostly instigated by and to an 11 year old girl, is just so out of place that it’s painful to watch. And reading that, even I was given some pause.

‘Cause it’s right. Most of the carnage of this bloody piece of work is about a super called “Hit-Girl.” And, through her and the other situations, the violence is heightened by its mere number. The message becomes clear pretty much from the outset. Superheroes, in comics and in the movies, are about the fighting. It is all about the combat.

And there is too much.

But is there? I’m reminded of Quinten Taratino movies. So much violence exists in those movies, you become immune by the final climax of all of his movies. The gore fades. And this movie, sadly, kinda does the same thing. I keep seeing fighting and blood. And by the violence’s profundity, I was able to tune it out.

If that makes any sense.

What ends up happening is you see the storyline underneath and realize, this is a plot we’ve seen before. In all of those other superhero movies. The film seems to realize this and ends with the same verbage as every other big picture adaptation of a comic book-a massive storming of the castle. In trying to get us to wince with every knife thrown, the picture, instead, gives up arguing with the audience and just goes with the easy way out.

No wonder they released the movie in April, that nadir of films that studios have no idea what to do with. If the filmmaker didn’t know what to do, how could the studio?

There are some bright parts---Aaron Johnson has leading man energy and keeps his energy focused with the movie spirals out of control. Take a look at Nicholas Cage’s quick performance. He’s still a good actor, folks, and also rises about the material. He should think about doing smaller roles more often.

But the movie itself is strictly for the comic book geek. Oh crap, I just outed myself. I’m totally fine with admitting my being queer—but I’m less forthcoming when it comes to my love for comic books and being a fanboy. Guess then I’m out of the comic book closet—and that’s probably the most interesting thing that can happen with his oddball flick.

Besides, being a comic book geek, I can say this:  The book is better. And in there, the blood IS terrible. I mean, look at the cover art alone....