Kick Ass Review

Film-o-Rama Review by August Meyer

Kick Ass.
At first, I was extremely skeptical of this movie. Based on the commercials promoting the film, I honestly did not expect much. What with Nicholas Cage co-starring, the only redeeming point I could think of watching the trailers was that his always ridiculous hair was covered by a mask for what seemed like the majority of the movie.

I reluctantly went to see the film the weekend it came out, and let me say...it exceeded my expectations, well, kind of. The first half of the movie was a sleeper. And by that, I mean it had me dozing into dreams that at the time seemed much more entertaining than what I had just spent ten dollars on. But I was damn glad I fought my oncoming sleep. The second half was strangely different than its earlier counter part, meaning it was actually "Kick Ass". Chloe Mortez, who plays "Hit-Girl" in the film was what saved it for me. A teeny-bopping little girl carrying weapons of kick ass destruction does that for you. What with her jumping, kicking, stabbing, shooting, and an especially action packed scene lit only by the strobe light attached to her nine millimeter pistol packed the punch the movie desperately needed to stay afloat.

As I have said, a lot of the violence was extremely well done, but in the first half of the movie, it seems as if it were added just to appeal to the "Saw 1-6" crowd. It was over the top, and not in a good way.

The rest of the cast was mediocre, with some who shined more than others, one being Christopher Mintz-Plasse, or as I fondly remember him as...McLovin'. The problem I had with all of the supporting cast was the lack of development. Basically every single one of Kick Ass' friends seemed to be cast soley for comic relief. The bad guy, crime boss Mark Strong was one color acting throughout the film as a stubborn father and underworld kingpin, and most of what happened regarding him in the plot was extremely flimsy and even hard to follow.

All in all, Kick Ass is a fun movie good to see with friends, but don't expect much. This is especially dissapointing when a movie called Kick Ass fails to live up to its title for the better part of it's story.