Saw this last night and loved it. Suddenly I want to wear my Spdier-Man costume a hell of a lot more! First half of the film was hilarious, although the second half did feel a little long and got a bit over the top.
Really want a Kick-Ass costume now. Surely it's just a matter of time before they pop up on the net?
Kick-Ass doesn't open in North America until April 16. I saw it almost a month ago and reviewed it then. But since this thread exists now, I'll link my review to it.
Short version: I LOVED IT. Went cuckooo and gaga for it. I thought it was incredibly entertaining. Honestly, I can't wait to pay to see it again in a couple of weeks. (Though I'm stopping far short of buying and/or wearing a Kick-Ass costume. That's all you, buddy. Good luck with that.)
I wouldn't normally revive an older thread, but I only got to see this at the weekend, and I figure it's still "new" enough with it not coming out in the US till later in the week.
In short, awesome movie. Absolutely loved it. Loved near everything about it. I'd watch it again tomorrow.
I'm amazed (and yet not) by the controversy it seems to have courted. To read some things that have been written about Kick-Ass you'd think it was some sort of profanity-laden gore-fest. In reality, the swearing is infrequent, the blood is relatively minimal and the violence is more graphic novel than graphic.
Focussing on the handful of curses uttered by Chloe Moretz also completely detracts from the fact that she turns in a very fine performance indeed. Nic Cage is also outstanding, as is Mark Strong as the villain de jour.
I'm not surprised. Ebert, for all his heady appreciation of films, has always had, with a few exceptions, a cheerful tolerance of superhero movies at best.
Ebert missed the point entirely, fixating on the violence and lack of morality. He asked what Kick-Ass is a satire of. The answer is Sam Raimi's Spider-Man specifically and the last ten years of comic book movies in general. He also gave both Kill Bill movies four stars. I have to wonder what the difference in violence, morality, and "coolness" is between Kick-Ass and Kill Bill that warrants the former one star and the latter four stars.
Still, Ebert's perspective is interesting. I imagine there will be lots of similar reactions from people who won't like Kick-Ass.
(And if you think this post was just to keep this thread going until Kick-Ass opens - tonight! - so that people can come here after they see it, you're right.)
Originally posted by John OrquiolaEbert missed the point entirely, fixating on the violence and lack of morality. He asked what Kick-Ass is a satire of. The answer is Sam Raimi's Spider-Man specifically and the last ten years of comic book movies in general. He also gave both Kill Bill movies four stars. I have to wonder what the difference in violence, morality, and "coolness" is between Kick-Ass and Kill Bill that warrants the former one star and the latter four stars.
(edited by John Orquiola on 15.4.10 0836)
The age difference between Uma Thurman and Chloe Moretz maybe? I mean, I don't agree with him and am looking forward to seeing for myself tonight, but from his review it certainly seemed like he felt the movie only existed for the shock value of an 11 year old doing gory killings and being beaten up...
Originally posted by John OrquiolaEbert missed the point entirely, fixating on the violence and lack of morality. He asked what Kick-Ass is a satire of. The answer is Sam Raimi's Spider-Man specifically and the last ten years of comic book movies in general. He also gave both Kill Bill movies four stars. I have to wonder what the difference in violence, morality, and "coolness" is between Kick-Ass and Kill Bill that warrants the former one star and the latter four stars.
Kill Bill is an elaborate revenge story filled with actual character arcs, generally realistic violence and is basically a love letter to the cult cinema of the '70s. Kick-Ass has an 11-year-old shooting gangsters (and doing coke) because her dad thought it was cool.
Hit-Girl lives in a dangerous fantasy world of her father's creation, but rather than dwell on the ramifications of a comic book nerd basically turning his child into a sociopath, after the killing spree Hit Girl goes on to become a "normal" child.
"Tattoos are the mullets of the aughts." - Mike Naimark
Did that not make it into the film? Oh good. There was a scene in the final issue where Hit-Girl took a couple of snorts of "energy powder" before the final fight scene. It was heavily implied that it was cocaine.
"Tattoos are the mullets of the aughts." - Mike Naimark
Originally posted by Mike ZeidlerDid that not make it into the film? Oh good. There was a scene in the final issue where Hit-Girl took a couple of snorts of "energy powder" before the final fight scene. It was heavily implied that it was cocaine.
Nope. I wasn't sure if I'd missed something when I read your post, but if you Google "Hit girl kick-ass cocaine" it'll lead you to an interview with (IIRC) Mark Millar where he mentions that they decided not to include it. I'd link to it direct for you, but I'm at work and I'm guessing at least a couple of the words in that search would set off the IT alarms. I ain't read the comics, but I thought it sounded pretty funny. Probably wise not to include it though.
Originally posted by Mike ZeidlerKick-Ass has an 11-year-old shooting gangsters (and doing coke) because her dad thought it was cool.
Coke thing aside, really not. Her dad trains her because of the mob killing his wife/her mother. I don't think we're given any reason to believe he's lying. At least in the movie, no idea if that's in the comics.
If anything, I thought the violence was more moderate than Kill Bill. Certainly less bloody. And neither is in any way realistic.
Honestly, without Hit-Girl dropping a "c u next Tuesday" I don't think the movie attracts nearly as much controversy as it has.
Originally posted by Mike ZeidlerDid that not make it into the film? Oh good. There was a scene in the final issue where Hit-Girl took a couple of snorts of "energy powder" before the final fight scene. It was heavily implied that it was cocaine.
Nope. I wasn't sure if I'd missed something when I read your post, but if you Google "Hit girl kick-ass cocaine" it'll lead you to an interview with (IIRC) Mark Millar where he mentions that they decided not to include it. I'd link to it direct for you, but I'm at work and I'm guessing at least a couple of the words in that search would set off the IT alarms. I ain't read the comics, but I thought it sounded pretty funny. Probably wise not to include it though.
Originally posted by Mike ZeidlerKick-Ass has an 11-year-old shooting gangsters (and doing coke) because her dad thought it was cool.
Coke thing aside, really not. Her dad trains her because the mob killing his wife/her mother. I don't think we're given any reason to believe he's lying. At least in the movie, no idea if that's in the comics.
It's in the comic, but it's different...
Spoiler Below: Highlight text to read
In the comic the mob killing his wife/mother story turns out to be something Big Daddy made up to brainwash his daughter. He was really a bored accountant and comic nerd whose wife hated him. He kidnapped his own daughter and decided they should fight crime for the same silly comic nerd reasons Kick Ass did.
For a movie that was loyal to it's source about 75% of the way through, that one change actually made me understand why a critic like Ebert wasn't able to see where the movie was coming from. Leaving out the above twist not only changes the characters of Big Daddy and Hit Girl completely, but it changes the tone from satire to action movie, which contributes to the last quarter of the movie becoming the very thing Kick Ass is supposedly satirizing.
Decent enough movie, and like I said, a surprisingly loyal adaption, but they went off the rails at the end I thought.
Originally posted by CxMorgadoFor a movie that was loyal to it's source about 75% of the way through, that one change actually made me understand why a critic like Ebert wasn't able to see where the movie was coming from. . . . Decent enough movie, and like I said, a surprisingly loyal adaption, but they went off the rails at the end I thought.
Interesting, ta. I can see why that would weaken it if you'd read the comics. I would've probably kinda dug that, although it would have totally changed the mood of the film, and possibly not in a good way.
I thought it was a satire in a similar vein to Scream in that it was still very much part of the genre it was shining a light on. And for someone who hasn't read the source, and thus couldn't be disappointed by deviations from it, still tremendous entertainment.
I thought it was a pretty good movie, with the first half being really great and making up for the last half. I loved some of the little things, like the movie playing at the theater being The Spirit 3.
Would I see it again? Probably not.
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
Awesome movie. Went to the first show today and watched it again immediately after. Best movie I've seen in a long time. Even Nic Cage was awesome. Aaron Johnson's gonna be a star.
Originally posted by LexusGreat movie. I'm not even a big fan of Nick Cage, but was I the only one who picked up on him trying to do Adam West from the old 60's Batman?
Caught the late show tonight with a friend and I must say it was an amazing movie. I have never cried at a movie before, but tonight was the closest I ever came, my friend cried through the whole thing.