*breaths in*
I've never really been a fan of movie theaters. They cost a shit load, the food costs a shit load, and if you didn't like the movie you went to see, well thats 11 bucks down the drain. For me, going to see a movie at a theater is a gamble. You'll either end up with a good movie or a shitty one. Of course, you can always take steps to lessen the risk by reading reviews and watching trailers, but I've never really been the type to read up on a movie before I watch it. For me, the best way to go and see a movie is to know almost nothing about it, and such was the case for my midnight viewing of the brand new movie Kick-Ass. So, is it a good movie? Should you go and see it? Read on.
When I first saw the trailer for it, I was instantly hyped, which is very rare for me. The last movie I've ever been hyped for was District 9. I honestly couldn't wait for this movie to come out. However, I got the feeling that the story was very Watchmen like. Luckily, the movie itself doesn't give off the feeling of a Watchmen parody. It's funny, creative, filled with action, and as the movie title goes, kick ass.
The movie wastes no time in setting up the movie. A comic nerd and his friends discuss the reason why no one has ever tried to become a super hero. Filled with desire, he decides to change that by becoming the ridiculously dressed super hero "Kick-Ass." His first outing isn't quite successful, however he learns from his mistakes and pushes himself to become the best ass kicker he can be. While not the most sophisticated fighter, he gains popularity throughout the world and becomes a well known vigilante. That's the basic gist of the story, but there's so much more packed into this movie that I'd rather not spoil for you all. Bottom line, the story is a not so unique idea turned into something interesting, creative, and unique.
Let's quickly breeze through all the aspects of the movie. First off, the acting. The characters all give great performances, even if some of them are a little odd. For instance, one of the super heroes (played by Nicholas Cage), dressed suspiciously like Batman, gives off a bit of an Adam West performance while playing his super hero alter ego. It's funny, yet somehow odd at the same time. The action scenes are great, especially the ones with Hit Girl, another vigilante super hero who just happens to be 11 years old. They're intense and engaging. Thanks to the well written story, you feel attached to the characters which makes the fight scenes more enjoyable. Unfortunately, nothing really stood out in the music department, though that could be because I was too focused on the movie to even notice the music. What really surprised me about this movie was the humor. While I knew that there was going to be some comedy in the film, I didn't expect to be laughing and smiling as much as I did.
However, that's not to say that there aren't a few things wrong with the movie. For instance, the beginning of the movie seems to drag on a bit. I suppose it's necessary to introduce the characters, their motives, and all other crucial information. However, I definitely feel that they could have cut some footage from the high school sub plot, and not only in the beginning. There are some scenes that seem a little out of place, and a few awkward moments here and there. Also, the ending kind of angered me. I'm not the type of person who likes cliffhangers at the end of movies, especially if you haven't even planned a sequel. I won't give anything away, just know that there's one small scene at the very end that may or may not annoy you. Also, some of the plot twists are obvious not too long before they happen. There's also one other thing about the movie that bothered me. At some parts, it seems that the movie is trying too hard to be surprising and suspenseful. While it doesn't really deter from the movie, it was pretty obvious that the movie was pulling every trick it could to keep the audience engaged. Did it work? Well... yes it did.
Kick-Ass was everything I expected it to be. No more, no less. While it has the potential, it comes short of being a masterpiece. However, despite the minor gripes I have with the film, I can still recommend it to anyone who likes comedy, action, and suspense in a movie. While not the greatest superhero movie, it's still a fun and exciting ride. You all owe it to yourselves to see it.
Final Rating: 8/10
-PORKSLOPE
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