Why KICK-ASS kicks ass.....

I'm not usually one to pay full price for a blu ray.  I think they are still too expensive and have been quietly building my collection through sales and 2 for £18 deals.  This week I made an exception.  Before either were released, I had grouped together KICK ASS and SCOTT PILGRIM into the same category in my mind.  Both were based on graphic novels, both were from hip, rising British directors, and based on the trailers, as much as I was looking forward to them, I thought they might both be trying too hard to be cool.  I saw Kick Ass in the cinema, and I enjoyed it.  I saw Scott Pilgrim in the cinema, and well....you know my thoughts on that.

Kick Ass came out on blu ray, and to be honest, I thought I would wait and pick it up on the cheap, but Dom Cobb and his team must have infiltrated my mind and planted the idea that I should buy it, because for a few days there, there was no other movie I wanted to watch.  So I caved (well actually Emma grabbed it for me when she was in town, might not have given her the money for it yet........), and settled down to watch it the other night.

I was not disappointed.  From the opening, which sets perfectly the tone of this movie, where a guy tries to fly from the top of a tall building and subsequently falls to his death, to the opening bars of 'Stand Up' by The Prodigy, I knew I was going to have a good time with this movie.

The story concerns Dave Lizewski, an unremarkable yet not too much of a loser, teenager.  A self confessed comic book geek, he and his friends like to shoot the shit about comics, their place in the world and their importance.  Dave gets the idea in his head (that Dom Cobb does get around) that someone should try to be a real life superhero.  He reasons that you don't have to have superpowers, just the right amount of determination and balls to help people who are in need, whether it be someone who is getting beat up or helping someone find their lost cat.

When he saves a guy, the incident is filmed and of course, put on the internet.  It quickly becomes the most viewed video on youtube, and Kick Ass has become something of a celebritiy.  This does not go down well with a local gangster Frank D'Amico, who wants rid of him.  Obviously Kick Ass is not the strongest guy in the world, and Frank could easily crush him at any time.  Luckily, help comes in the form of Big Daddy and Hit Girl, a father and daughter who have taken it upon themselves to rid the world of scum.  And they have their own unique way of doing it.

Coming from Matthew Vaughn, the producer behind Guy Ritchie's good movies (Lock, Stock and Snatch), it's no surprise to see that this movie has it's fair share of dark humour, colourful language and over the top the violence.  What is surprising, is that it all blends perfectly.  And that is down in no small part to his secret weapon, Hit Girl.

Hit Girl is a twelve year old mini assassin, that would give James Bond and Jason Bourne a run for their money.  She would certainly beat them in a swearing contest, and it'll never cease to be funny to hear a 12 year old girl utter the word 'cunt' (sue me, I'm immature!).  But what really makes this character stand out is that she has the moves to back up the language.  I think I counted that she had killed over 25 people by the movies end, and nearly every kill is different.  She is definitely versatile.

But Hit Girl is not the only reason this movie works.  It works because the characters are likable and their problems are relatable.  This was always my main gripe with SCOTT PILGRIM.  There was never anything approaching an interesting or likable character.  Here, they are plentiful.  From Dave's best friends, to Chris D'Amico, to Dave himself, and Big Daddy, these are all interesting characters with their own motivations and goals.

And then we come to the action.  This movie is always entertaining to watch because the action sequences are awesome.  From Big Daddy taking out a warehouse full of guys captured on Nanny cam (it'll make sense I promise), to Hit Girl and Kick Ass's assault on Chris D'Amico's penthouse, the film constantly mixes it up and the action never feels repetitive.  It has rocket launchers, night vision goggles, throwing blades and even a jet pack put to use.  This is what we all want to see in a movie like this.

A word about the blu ray.  The transfer is really crisp, the sound clear as a bell (very important given the great soundtrack) and the extras are extensive and entertaining (I especially liked listening to Matthew Vaughn's commentary where he calls the movie Kick-Arse.  Can you tell he's from London?).

The film is not perfect.  There are one or two jokes that fall flat, and also Nic Cage's Adam West impression does grate after a while.  But these are small issues when compared to everything that does work.  The film can frequently be laugh out loud funny, full of 'holy shit!' action scenes and has great potential to be a franchise.  And not one that relies on action figures or happy meals to keep going.

Just one last thought.  There are scenes where guys are stabbed in the throat, or their leg is sliced right off, or they are made to shoot themselves, and you can't help but laugh.  But as soon as someone gets a knuckleduster to the face, you can't help but grimace.  How does that work?

Overall, highly recommended, and I might even consider giving Emma the money for it.  Well, we'll see.  Until next time..........