Not Much Redeeming About This Comic Book Film

Ok, don’t get me wrong...I totally understand who the intended audience is for this film, as the screening I attended was jam packed with comic book fanboys. The objection I have as a film reviewer is the over-the-top violence in the film; not only involving the sweet little 11 yr-old school girl, Hit-Girl, (Chloe Moretz) who is punched in the face and thrown around like a rag doll, but also the 16-yr.-old boy Kick-Ass, (Aaron Johnson) that is beaten to a pulp while handcuffed to a chair by 4 grown men. Sorry boys, in my book...not cool.

Like the film “Watchmen,” which is also based on a dark comic book tale  written by the same author, Mark Millar, “Kick-Ass,” involves extreme violence and themes of heartless villains who enjoy terrorizing the general public for their personal amusement. 

Recalling “Watchmen” (2009) film reviews, they too were very lukewarm. What I did appreciate in the Watchmen comic book and film were the creative characters. The characters in Kick-Ass are based on KIDS as super heroes which is so wrong. These kids bleed, have broken bones, fight with knives, swords, sticks and guns. Sorry, these concepts will never fly with me.

Perhaps comic book fans and filmmakers defend the characters and general story of “Kick-Ass” due to the rationale that these characters are supposed to be fictional; so who cares if a teen and a little girl are hurt unnecessarily? I’m here to tell you that the main characters are not fictional. They have parents, go to school, do their homework, have feelings etc. etc. These kids are indeed very real and that is why the movies don’t work. Some what in the same way that “The Lovely Bones” didn’t work, the story is too raw, too close to home and simply too hard to view on the big screen. 

Other stars in the film are; Nicholas Cage as the hardened, jaded and widowed, ex- police officer Dad of Hit-Girl. We are introduced to his character Damon Macready who’s super hero persona is named ‘Big Daddy’ bearing a strong likeness to ‘Batman.’ In one scene, he is toughening up his daughter Mindy Macready who later becomes Hit-Girl. Little Mindy is wearing a bullet proof vest and dad is shooting a gun at Mindy point blank and asking, “Does that hurt honey?” Little Mindy is thrown back a bit upon impact, but tells dad, “Oh its ok, I’m getting used to it.” During this scene, the audience roared in laughter. The insaneness alone of the scene is another reason why the film doesn’t work. In reality, Damon Macready would be locked up in jail for this action.

The film continues in this deranged matter until we view Hit-Girl, Red Mist and Kick-Ass as full-fledged Super Heros along with the blood, bruises and broken bones they encounter.

Bottom line, Kick-Ass was written and directed for the fanboy crowd and they certainly seem to enjoy viewing Hit-Girl battle the bad guys. Parents please remember that this film is rated R not only for the violence, but also for the crude language. You’d be shocked by the words that come out of Hit-Girl’s 11-year-old mouth. Stay away from this one as only very bad behavior (by kids and adults) can be learned by the viewing.

Sarah Adamson © April 2010