Now, I have to admit....I never got around to reading the comic book series, published by Marvel and written by Mark Millar. But, I do have to say, if the film is anywhere close to the story of the comics, I know I will enjoy them. "Kick-Ass" picks up where the great and legendary geek films like "Galaxy Quest", "Fanboys", and "Spaceballs" leaves off. We have had films where nerds use their nerd knowledge to save the world from aliens, a group of fans who will be the world premiere of "Star Wars" no matter the cost, and even a simple yet classic comedy of the day in the life of a nerd.But never, have we had a film where those very nerds play the superheroes. And how classically genius a story like this is. This is the ultimate dream of every nerd like me, that immerses themselves in the stories of ordinary people put in extraordinary circumstances and become heroes. We are just people that read everyday, attend the same conventions every year that become more like family reunions every year, that daydream of being Jedi, Vipor pilots, and being Batman's new sidekick. "Kick-Ass" is this world realized.
I haven't had this much fun watching a movie since "Pineapple Express". And even though I was in a crowd full of comic books fans, science fiction readers, and fantasy experts, I still at times found that I was the only one laughing in the the theater at certain jokes. "Kick-Ass" is full of homages to so many different comics, movies and TV shows that they are too many to count in this blog. And for all these reasons, I have no choice but to name "Kick-Ass" the ultimate geek film.
High school student Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), who spends his days being mugged while walking home from a comic book cafe, decides that the world needs a superhero. After creating a secret identity and dressing up in a green and yellow wet suit, Dave makes a failed attempt at being a hero he knows the world needs. When a stab in the gut and a violent collision with a car leaves many of his nerve endings damaged and numbed, Dave is able to rescue a man being chased by a group of bullies trying to beat him to death. His rescue is caught on film by a young witness and streamed onto YouTube. And of course, as we net surfers know, after a million hits on YouTube, you're an instant star.
The city, and the world is caught up in Kick-Ass mayhem, that spawns more masked heroes. Damon Macready (Nicholas Cage) is an ex-cop who was framed by mob boss Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong) and put into prison. After his wife died in childbirth with his daughter Mindy(Chloe Moretz), she is put under the care of Damon's old partner. Once out of prison, Damon decides on a path of vengeance and trains his daughter for the cause. When Kick-Ass takes over the news, Damon and Mindy decide a new approach to taking down D'Amico's operation. Creating secret identities of their own, Big Daddy and Hit Girl save Kick-Ass from a beating by drug dealers and agree to come to his aide whenever he needs help.
Once again surviving a brush from death, Dave decides to quit his path as a superhero, realizing he is not cut out for the duty after meeting the real thing: Big Daddy and Hit Girl. However, that doesn't last long. D'Amico agrees to let his son Chris (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), yet another glorified comic lover, go undercover as masked superhero Red Mist to lure Kick-Ass, Big Daddy, and Hit Girl into a trap. Dave is caught up in middle of a revenge plot that he has no idea how to stay out of.
Although there are plenty of laughs and some of the best action I have seen in years, the story is not all fun and games. It would not be a true homage to comic book superheroes if it did not explore the questions of humanity, the dynamics of the family, love and what it truly means to be a hero.
I remember how much of a hit "Kick-Ass" was at Comic-Con 2009, and I'm sure the new most popular costumes this year, will be that of green wetsuits, black leather and purple wigs at Comic-Con 2010. Including myself, dressing up as your very own Hit Girl.
Oh, and who wants to guess what year we will see the panel for "Kick-Ass 2"???
The city, and the world is caught up in Kick-Ass mayhem, that spawns more masked heroes. Damon Macready (Nicholas Cage) is an ex-cop who was framed by mob boss Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong) and put into prison. After his wife died in childbirth with his daughter Mindy(Chloe Moretz), she is put under the care of Damon's old partner. Once out of prison, Damon decides on a path of vengeance and trains his daughter for the cause. When Kick-Ass takes over the news, Damon and Mindy decide a new approach to taking down D'Amico's operation. Creating secret identities of their own, Big Daddy and Hit Girl save Kick-Ass from a beating by drug dealers and agree to come to his aide whenever he needs help.
Once again surviving a brush from death, Dave decides to quit his path as a superhero, realizing he is not cut out for the duty after meeting the real thing: Big Daddy and Hit Girl. However, that doesn't last long. D'Amico agrees to let his son Chris (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), yet another glorified comic lover, go undercover as masked superhero Red Mist to lure Kick-Ass, Big Daddy, and Hit Girl into a trap. Dave is caught up in middle of a revenge plot that he has no idea how to stay out of.
Although there are plenty of laughs and some of the best action I have seen in years, the story is not all fun and games. It would not be a true homage to comic book superheroes if it did not explore the questions of humanity, the dynamics of the family, love and what it truly means to be a hero.
I remember how much of a hit "Kick-Ass" was at Comic-Con 2009, and I'm sure the new most popular costumes this year, will be that of green wetsuits, black leather and purple wigs at Comic-Con 2010. Including myself, dressing up as your very own Hit Girl.
Oh, and who wants to guess what year we will see the panel for "Kick-Ass 2"???
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