Kick Ass

Kick Ass


Kick Ass is one of the latest in the trend of comic book movies. It's based on the comic series of the same name that has been running since 2008 and follows the story of a boy named David Lizewski. Like many nerdy high school boys, David is an avid fan of superhero comics and, after one too many beatings by the neighborhood bullies, decides to become a superhero.

David then begins creating his character. He designs his costume, designs his weapons and fighting style, orders his costume online, and begins training. Hilarious montage ensues. As soon as David thinks he’s ready, he goes out and fights some crime.

And gets his ass handed to him.

After a hospital trip and several metal bolts and sheets grafted to his skeleton to hold his crushed body together, he’s back on the streets. He gains media attention when someone records Kick Ass protecting a man from three thugs and posts it on YouTube. Kick Ass becomes an instant success.

Of course, once he gains the spotlight, Kick Ass is forced into the real world of superheroes. Kick Ass meets Hit Girl while trying to convince a potential girlfriend’s ex to back off. This ex was part of a drug ring working for Frank D’Amico, the richest man in the city, and Hit Girl is there to clean up.

The preteen killing machine and her father, Big Daddy, are out to enact revenge on D’Amico. Big Daddy used to be the number one cop working narcotics in the city and when he got close to cracking D’Amico, D’Amico framed him, sent him off to prison, and killed his pregnant wife. The emergence of Kick Ass is exactly the kind of distraction they need to make their move.

A hell of a lot more happens, of course, but I fear that if I go any further I will end up giving everything away. Needless to say, this story is one of deception and intrigue rapped up in a caped costume. It’s violent and gory, full of revenge and cruelty. Yet, the story is seen by way of David – naïve and hopeful, but still determined to do the right thing when it all blows up in his face.

This movie is awesome. It’s everything you want a superhero movie to be – cool fight scenes, cool characters, cool costumes, and it doesn’t slow down from start to finish. There are no boring lulls. And even though I wasn’t familiar with the comic, I could get a bunch of the comic book references.

Can you tell I really enjoyed this? Because I did. It was really awesome and has been one of the most enjoyable movie experiences I’ve had in the past few years. I would definitely recommend this movie to teens and up. It’s a good time, but there is some strong language and graphic violence.