Kick Ass

 This is a film that packages indie movie energy, superhero action, edgy comedy, and a whole lot of adrenaline.  It asks the question every kid wants to know, “what if people actually tried being superheroes?”  It asks questions about social responsibility but it also allows the funny but dark reality play within the context of each scene.  We can acknowledge that we wish the world was different, but are we truly willing to do anything about it?

What’s good about it: It is hilarious; very funny and it will resonate with every young man who wants more out of their teenage years.  The story is compelling and there are tons of great action scenes.  It parodies everything from first-person shooter games to kung-fu action flicks.  People have said that it is superficial, but I kept hearing a dialogue between the filmmakers and the audience about what we are as a culture.  We are violent, foul mouthed, pre-pubescent kids who don’t truly understand the effect of consequences.  But the film doesn’t stay in an accusatory tone: it acknowledges our nature as Americans and then moves on to see what happens to the characters.  

What’s not so good: Crude and rude.  I wonder sometimes how anyone can honestly depict our modern culture onscreen without offending the majority.  We say, “How dare they depict an 11-year old who is obscene and violent”–but then would we see anything different if we walked into any public junior high school?  The violence and profanity is pervasive, but it is a part of the story they are telling.  One thing I hated was how often they had to reassure us that the lead character is an “ordinary” kid.  We get it!  ‘Do’ don’t ‘tell’.  And am I really supposed to buy that this kid is going to get the girl: it seemed very contrived that the ‘guy-gets-girl-if-he-tries-really-hard’ formula really worked for him.  It would have been more interesting to see him fail and have to deal with those consequences.  

Overall, I truly enjoyed the film.  Seeing that ‘doing good’ is not always easy and that even superheroes bleed (or die horrible deaths) was important.  It was a well told story, even though they pushed for some things.  I would recommend seeing it in theaters, but just be prepared to be offended: which I would recommend being offended now and again to everyone…B+