SPLICED MOVIES /
ISSUE 01
REVIEW / Kick-Ass 2
Kick-Ass, the
revolutionary
creator-owned
comic that Mark
Millar launched
with artist John
S. Romita Jr. in
2008, challenged
curious readers
with one simple
question: “Why
has nobody ever
tried to become a
superhero?”
the same name the film has been toned
down in it’s portrayal of the graphic
and often insane violence splashed
across its pages. Mix that in with the
straight up comedy that Wadlow has
written into the script and you have a
strange juxtaposition that gives you
the feeling that the movie doesn’t quite
know what it wants to be. Even with the
vulgar language, offensive situations
and interactions the film still feels toned
down from the original source material,
which isn’t a bad thing – there are often
ludicrous moments in the Kick-Ass
graphic novel that simply wouldn’t work
on screen (Hit-Girl’s cocaine addiction,
for instance). That being said, the film
remains quite close to Millar’s initial
interpretation of the characters and
tone, unlike that “other” Millar movie
adaptation Wanted, which ended up
being a complete bastardisation of great
source material from the comic.
Make no mistake, Kick Ass 2 is a
fun, violent and offensive ride that fans
of the first film will probably enjoy at
face value, but remains bitter-sweet
when compared to the comedy genius
of Vaughn’s Kick Ass. As a sequel,
it unfortunately falls short. A great
performance by Moretz, echoed
from the first film, carries this one.
A decent performance from TaylorJohnson, albeit a little ‘going through the
motions’, to the utterly cringe worthy/
hilarious portrayal of The Motherfucker
by Mintz-Plasse add to the
entertainment and silly offensiveness,
but ultimately you’ll most likely forget
about it in a week’s time.?
6
Verdict
A decent enough follow
up to Vaughn’s Kick Ass,
but a little lacklustre. Comedy,
vulgarity and offensiveness ensue
in this sequel, with Moretz being
the stand out performance. Stay till
after the credits for an extra scene.
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