Kicking Off The Summer Properly

It has finally arrived. The summer blockbuster comic book to movie extravaganza of 2010 (I don’t think that’s the official title) has been launched. So far, I love the appetizer and it makes me incredibly anxious for the main course in a few weeks.

I’m talking of course about Kick-Ass. In my opinion, this is the start of something big. This is the start of another round of summer fun that hopefully will stay with us for a while. And when I say appetizer, I mean a triple order of gooey nachos that melt in your mouth with extra salt on the side. Everything your body craves is in the mix.

I loved Kick-Ass. I think it set a proper tone and gave big kudos to the comic book series. As expected, and heavily reported, it is very violent. Just like the comic. It is also very funny. Just like the comic. The characters have self-doubt, misguided ideas about the world, and balls the size of Russia. Just like the comic. In short, this movie is a wonderful representation of the comic book idea.

Now, is it exactly page for page like Mark Millar’s creation? No, but what movie based on a book is exactly like the book? It does, however, capture the essence of the book. The characters, the story, the all out guns-a-blazing rebelliousness, all of it, are well represented.

I’m impressed with director Matthew Vaughn’s vision. He could’ve easily have bought this idea, toned it down a lot, and sold it to Disney for a happy, warm, fuzzy movie for all the kids to like. He didn’t do that. In fact, he didn’t even think about it. He decided it was as brutally funny as it was brutal and he delivered on both ends.

I can’t say enough about the acting either. Aaron Johnson’s performance as Kick-Ass was terrific. I don’t know if he had a sense of pressure playing this role, but, if he did, it certainly never showed. He simply had fun with it.

Two more performances worth noting are Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy and Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl. Their scenes together are special, awkward, and make me question the existence of decency. In short, it was great!! This is not your father’s comic book movie. Not even close.

This film could’ve easily gotten lost. It was a huge project with a lot of characters and more back stories than I can count. Yet, it flowed well. Also, for you action junkies, it has PLENTY of action-packed goodness between the nachos. The money for blood alone likely took a chunk out of the budget.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. There are a few minor critiques I could find. It did lull in places. I got a sense the writers were trying to bridge so many ideas together, they sometimes didn’t transition well. However, every lull was rewarded handsomely with another joke, action scene, or crazy character. Also, the film does lack a little imagination. It sticks pretty tight to the comic and doesn’t use the full weight of Hollywood prowess behind it. It doesn’t detract from the overall feel of the picture, but I could see spots where a little jazzing up could’ve helped. Other than that, it rocked!

Controversy? What controversy?

Jesus Freaks Unite! This is what goes through my head every time I hear about people up in arms about a movie they don’t understand. One of these days I am going to walk into a church and tell them how maniacal the Bible is for promoting violence against children, war, famine, and every other aspect of evil Hollywood gets accused of doing by these people. My message to those who don’t like what Kick-Ass represents is really simple: close your damn eyes and shut the hell up!

Hit Girl is likely the most “shocking” character in the movie. She’s definitely not a character you will forget anytime soon. I mean, seriously, she’s an 11-year old bad ass. How many times have we seen this? I can think of The Professional. Anybody else?

What people who like to bad mouth movies forget to look at is the context of the subject. Yes, hit Girl will get your attention, but there is something almost exhilarating in seeing a seemingly helpless little girl triumph over evil against insurmountable odds. It’s the same way I feel about pornographic cartoons. But, if done well, they can be humorous and entertaining.

Folks, if this is the appetizer to the main course of Iron Man 2, I might be full before the silver platter arrives. I’m sure I’ll make room when it does. I’m such a glutton.