Posted in: Recent Updates | Tagged: Mark Millar

Kick-Ass: The Movie Review by Wade Campbell

Published Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:47 -0600

Last updated Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:47:54 -0600

One of my Little Bleeders, Wade Campell, saw a screening of Kick-Ass last night. It's still an unfinished piece, the Superman music seen at San Diego is still present at the beginning, the animation sequence is very unfinished and effects need finalising. But here are his thoughts on what he saw. Take it away, Wade!

(It's very much from the point of view of a fan of the comic. But then I'm one as well, so hey.)

Most of the comic book is in there. The movie differs from the comic the most in that the movie almost occurs chronologically with only a few flashback sequences, so some of the swerves in the comic book don't come out of the blue. There are several plot differences but the end result is the same – well – I guess it is given issue 8 hasn't come out yet.

In terms of chronology there is no starting sequence with the electrodes wired to the testicles. In fact that doesn't happen in the movie at all. They just get the shit kicked out of them. Big Daddy and Hit Girl's backstory's are almost revealed straight-away. All the plots run tandem with each other. Katie is the girl who is getting shit from the drug dealer which sets in motion the Hit Girl sequence of the drugs massacre. Up until this point the movie felt mostly safe. It ups the craziness from that point on much like From Dusk Till Dawn.

It is revealed very early on who Red Mist his and his connection to the Mob.

Katie doesn't treat Dave like a complete shit head at all. It is much more sweet (and totally raunchy!!!). Dave's friends even get in on the hot girl action (just like in the Judd Apatow gross out movies). The movie would have had a very different feel if Katie did treat Dave like shit. In fact the comic should have embraced the romance a bit more – but I doubt that it could have given its dire feel for much of it. Make no mistake – Kick Ass the movie is a feel good movie, again the exaggerated violence doesn't detract from the feel-good factor.

Big Daddy almost looks like Midnighter from the Authority with a batman utility belt. There is also no chainsaw in sight. The main action sequence with Big Daddy is extremely cool. Imagine the any Dark Knight action sequence with guns.

I won't spoil the ending of the movie as it is one of the greatest and most ridiculous sequences concocted for the big screen within the last ten years.

As it is a movie and needs to appeal to a wider audience there is more comedy and romance but it fits in beautifully. It is almost Superbad in places but without the gross out bits.

The action sequences feel right. It was a little unnerving at first to see an 11 year old girl create so much carnage, but it is down right OTT enough not to have the censors screaming. The common sense of absurdity prevails and a lot of people die in this movie, but this isn't like watching Black Hawk Down. You can watch Kick Ass more than once.

The audience was completely into the movie. There was a lot of clapping and cheering. I took a non-comic book friend from work and he can't wait to take his wife to see it once it comes in April. People will go see it two or three times when it comes out!

Kudos to Vaughn and Millar. One of the most fun and entertaining movies I have ever seen. More importantly than that – it is a victory for the geeks! I can't wait for a sequel!

Kick-Ass will see release on the 16th April 2010 in the USA. It stars Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz and was directed by Matthew Vaughn and adapted from the Mark Millar/John Romita Jr comic by Vaughn and Jane Goldman.