If The Dark Knight had jokes it would be Kick-Ass. Yes this movie is that good. Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero movies ever and Kick-Ass is on par. I know the trailer makes it look like a Disney film that you might watch part of if you were on a plane. The whole time thinking, “I guess this film is ok since it distracted me from the two business guys talking about boring bullshit on my flight to St. Louis, but I’m glad I didn’t spend money to see it in a theater.” Fear not my fellow nerds, this film will blow your mind.
If The Dark Knight had jokes it would be Kick-Ass. Yes this movie is that good. Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero movies ever and Kick-Ass is on par. I know the trailer makes it look like a Disney film that you might watch part of if you were on a plane. The whole time thinking, “I guess this film is ok since it distracted me from the two business guys talking about boring bullshit on my flight to St. Louis, but I’m glad I didn’t spend money to see it in a theater.” Fear not my fellow nerds, this film will blow your mind.
Based on a 2008 comic book by Mark Millar and illustrated by John Romita Jr. It is published by Marvel Comics under the company’s Icon Imprint. After seeing this film I am embarrassed to say I have not read the comic, but that will not last long. My comic book nerd friends think the book is amazing and by all accounts at SXSW, where I saw the film, the film holds up very well. Maybe because I knew very little about the film helped me embrace it like a criminal’s throat in crime alley after watching Zoro. I don’t know. What I do know is a theater packed full of nerds went ape-shit for this film. I saw it with Doug Benson and we just looked at each other and shook our heads in amazement. “Dude, we gotta become super heroes.” I said to my friend.
Directed by Mathew Vaughn, Kick-Ass made every cell in my film and comic loving body multiply into a force that makes me want to fight crime! It is the story of a nerdy high school kid who decides to dress up like a super hero and fight crime. No super powers, billions of dollars or even real fighting skills. Just a wing nut kid who wants to make the world a better place. Yeah that sounds corny but this film is high-octane action, rock solid comic nerd jokes and intense drama. That is how it stands toe to toe with Dark Knight; the dramatic scenes are intense. The kid who plays hit girl is one of the best super hero movie characters ever. A cussy mouthed 10 year old who can and will kill you. Her relationship with her father, played by Nick Cage, is beautiful and hilarious. If I ever have a daughter I’m going to train her to kill thugs with knives and shoot her with a gun so she can get used to it. Because after that, how hard can the SAT’s be? All the supporting cast is great and the action scenes made me yell out loud.
Seriously, I hope I don’t over hype this film so it doesn’t live up. I saw it in March at SXSW and I can’t wait to see it again on opening day. There is a fight scene with Hitgirl in a hallway full of bad guys that I’m going to need to see at least 10 times, before I can get my head around it. Just to be clear, the action is brutal and poetic all at once. Like these kids saw one too many Tony Jaa movies or they have Hero on a loop that plays on a chip inside their brains. I’m sure some people are going to be offended by the language and violence coming out of the mouths of gifted young actors, Chole Moretz and Aaron Johnson. Well too bad you cry babies. Go rent Spy Kids and PALM STRIKE your own face for being the cover art for a stupid brain. Kick-Ass changed my life. I hope it does for you. This is my last article, as I am going to change my identity so I can fight crime. Get ready to Suck it Criminals, PALM STRIKE is coming for YOU!
—Graham Elwood. Or is it?