Its safe to say there has been some controversy with Kick Ass due to "Hit Girl", a potty mouthed 12 year old gangster girl (heaven knows where the controversy comes from!). But if you are anyone other than a Daily Mail journalist, the shock of seeing this will dissolve in about 7 seconds because what follows is a truly outstanding film. The tale of a superhero with no powers, the morality of a teenager who just wants to do the right thing is one which strikes a cord but to think of this as a kid friendly comic character would be completely incorrect. Kick Ass is helped along the way by a Father and Daughter combo, who take crime fighting to the next level with a brutality that is perfectly balances with a score that really punctuates the film.
Strangely, one of the highlights is the performance from that of Nicholas Cage, in a role which helps him reclaim his quirky edge. This short chilling laughs and the nonchalant use of bazookas and machine guns is of course shocking but equally tarantino-esqu in its surreal wit. Yet it is Aaron Johnson who has to take responsibility for this film and luckily he displays his dexterity in an utterly convincing portrayal of a geeky American teen (despite pretending to be a lot weirder looking than he actually is) which erases any memory of him being a scouse icon the month before.
I hate comics and I will fully admit this prejudice because it goes to illustrate just how omnipotent Kick Ass is. Through using what you think would alienate viewers, we are instead united in a satisfaction. There is certainly a confidence and attitude which allows you to believe from the start that what you are watching is as good as you think it is.
H xx
