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Lionsgate To KICK-ASS In 2010!

Published at:  Aug 17, 2009 12:28:32 PM CDT

Beaks here...



Matthew Vaughn's big KICK-ASS Comic Con gamble has paid off. After winning over the Hall H faithful with scenes from his rambunctious, independently financed adaptation of the Mark Millar/John Romita, Jr. graphic novel, Vaughn and his team have struck a deal with Lionsgate to distribute the film theatrically in 2010! This after every studio in town initially passed on the project due to concerns with the R-rated violence, particularly as it is perpetrated by the eleven-year-old costumed killing machine, Hit Girl.

There's no word on when in 2010 we'll get to see KICK-ASS just yet. When I spoke to Vaughn last month, he stated a preference for launching in March (like 300 or THE MATRIX), which sounds perfect for a modestly-budgeted superhero movie like this. That said, given the ridiculously high test scores the film racked up earlier this year, I have a feeling KICK-ASS will do well regardless of when it hits theaters. Still, y'know, the sooner the better...

Paramount and Universal were also in the hunt to acquire KICK-ASS.

Here's the official press release from Lionsgate.

LIONSGATE® SET TO KICK-ASS WITH FILMMAKER MATTHEW VAUGHN’S HOTLY ANTICIPATED SUPERHERO ACTION COMEDY

Studio Acquires U.S. And Canadian Rights To Comic Book Adaptation From
Director of LAYER CAKE and STARDUST

Buzz Sensation At 2009 Comic-Con, It Stars Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Breakout Stars Aaron Johnson and Chloë Moretz



SANTA MONICA, CA (August 17, 2009) – LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, announced today that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to KICK-ASS, the hotly anticipated action-comedy from writer/director Matthew Vaughn (LAYER CAKE, STARDUST). Based on the groundbreaking, best-selling comic by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., KICK-ASS stars Nicolas Cage (the upcoming SEASON OF THE WITCH, KNOWING, NATIONAL TREASURE), rising star Aaron Johnson (the upcoming NOWHERE BOY), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (SUPERBAD) and Chloë Moretz ((500) DAYS OF SUMMER). The screenplay is written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman. The producers are Matthew Vaughn, Brad Pitt, Tarquin Pack and Kris Thykier; Millar and Romita Jr. are co-producers. The announcement was made today by Joe Drake, Lionsgate President, Motion Picture Group, and Co-Chief Operating Officer, and Jason Constantine, Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.

KICK-ASS was the buzz sensation of the July Comic-Con in San Diego, where early footage was shown to wildly appreciative fans. The film is a privately financed independent production from Vaughn’s Marv Films and Plan B Entertainment, and is currently in post-production. Lionsgate anticipates a wide release in 2010.

Said Constantine, “Matthew Vaughn is an amazing talent and a true original, and he has brought a whole new mindset to the action genre with KICK-ASS. KICK-ASS redefines the boundaries in terms of humor, action, story, character and tone -- it’s the kind of movie that reminds us of why we go to the movies in the first place. Lionsgate is thrilled to bring KICK-ASS home to give it the next-generation launching pad it deserves.”

Said Vaughn, “Making and financing KICK-ASS has been an amazing experience, and we’ve had two important goals from the start: make a singularly entertaining film and find the right studio to release it. With Lionsgate, I know that I’ve got a supportive and fearless team behind me. It’s going to be fun working together to bring the film to audiences and those who are already fans of the comic book.”

Said Pack, “The massive response we received at Comic-Con has been hugely important in launching the next wave of momentum for the film, and Lionsgate’s marketing and distribution talents are a perfect fit for us. Lionsgate is a studio that is not afraid to do things differently, and that is the attitude that has characterized KICK-ASS from the very start.”

The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Constantine, Eda Kowan, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Wendy Jaffe, Executive Vice President Business & Legal Affairs, Acquisitions and Co-Productions; and by WME and Matthew Johnson of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman, Cook, Johnson, Lande & Wolf LLP, on behalf of the filmmakers.


SYNOPSIS

A twisted, funny, high-octane adventure, director Matthew Vaughn brings KICK-ASS to the big screen.

KICK-ASS tells the story of average teenager Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a comic-book fanboy who decides to take his obsession as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. As any good superhero would, he chooses a new name -- Kick-Ass -- assembles a suit and mask to wear, and gets to work fighting crime. There’s only one problem standing in his way: Kick-Ass has absolutely no superpowers.

His life is forever changed as he inspires a subculture of copy cats, is hunted by assorted violent and unpleasant characters, and meets up with a pair of crazed vigilantes, including an 11-year-old sword-wielding dynamo, Hit Girl (Chloë Moretz) and her father, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage).



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    Readers Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:30:49 PM CDT

    I'm seeing a screening of this tomorrow.

    by odysseus

    Can't wait! But how weird is it that the movie is completed before the comic's story line is done....?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:35:00 PM CDT

    Saw some footage at Chicago Comicon

    by the funketeer

    It looks great but I don't think it's going to play well with the rubes. I don't think the general public is quite ready for a deconstruction of super hero movies yet.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:35:33 PM CDT

    Whoopdy fucking doo for you Odysseus...

    by lordporkington

    I'm off to take a shit, but I don't have to go around telling anyone. Although now I have told everyone, and it's all your fault. Still, I can't accuse you of being a cunt because you didn't shout 'FIRST!', so I take my hat off to you for that at least.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:36:28 PM CDT

    Kick-Ass

    by jshanw

    That kicks ass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:38:45 PM CDT

    The Funketeer

    by mrbeaks

    I think Hit Girl and Big Daddy wreaking bloody havoc will go down just fine with the non-geeks. And I'm quite sure that's what Lionsgate is going to sell.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:39:59 PM CDT

    ANYTHING with Matthew Vaughan directing

    by colinsl

    is going to be good. He's among the crazy great young filmmakers (and now Neill Blomkamp, too)

    Jesus and health care - http://tiny.cc/obamacare190

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:43:25 PM CDT

    Anything I've seen for this looks excellent...

    by cellar door

    Can't wait...have been officially psyched for a long time for this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:50:08 PM CDT

    saw footage on comicbookmovie

    by ukfilms28

    n$ot really followed the comic but from what i saw it looks really good and pretty funny, mathew vaughn's a talented guy, hope he pulls it off.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:51:39 PM CDT

    When movies are labelled 'Action Comedies'...

    by biggusdickus

    ...we usually find they're neither action-packed or particularly funny.Tango & Cash, anyone?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 12:54:51 PM CDT

    Anyword on that Heath Ledger film?

    by series7

    Did that thing finally get a release? Poor Terry.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:01:22 PM CDT

    First Punisher: War Zone, then The Spirit

    by zzzardozzz

    Now Kick-Ass rounds out a perfect trilogy of Lionsgate comic book hits.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:01:34 PM CDT

    $ Says...

    by karl childers

    They change the name of the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:02:53 PM CDT

    Do you think...

    by killerofsnakes

    they'll FINISH THE DAMN COMIC by the time the movie is released???

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:07:32 PM CDT

    So when is Millar

    by series7

    Just going to stop writing comics and just write movie scripts?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:11:39 PM CDT

    Months of marketing couldn't save Watchmen

    by zzzardozzz

    But the biggest movie studio in the world was missing the "x-factor" that turns a hard R, ultra-violent superhero movie into a success: Nicolas Cage.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:13:39 PM CDT

    Tango & Cash

    by djbmike81

    I actually enjoyed the hell out of that movie, but I saw it first when I was 8 or 9 years old, so even now when I watch it, I'm taken back to being a kid. It's stupid, but a lot of fun.

    Kick-Ass does sound like a fun movie though. I'm looking forward to it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:15:15 PM CDT

    Trailer Please

    by cowboyone

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:32:02 PM CDT

    Into the Jan/Feb wasteland?

    by zzzardozzz

    Here's a visualization game: Kick-Ass is a whack-a-mole and any season past Winter is a giant squeaky mallet.

    Reply to Talkback

  • They'll distribute x-rated shit if they could.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 1:58:31 PM CDT

    It burns! It burns!...

    by cheyne_stoking_dms

    someone mentioned THAT NAME. Rhymes with "Fickaless Rage."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:01:27 PM CDT

    Millar and Romita Fucking up HARD

    by nechyv

    Jesus Christ they've delayed issue 7 SOO MUCH! See boys, we take this shit from Kirkman, cause he's a goddamn genius, you guys need to work harder.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:02:03 PM CDT

    Avatar - What gives?

    by dckilljoy

    The site is down, and then there are no theaters to select even when it says pick a theater

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:06:12 PM CDT

    PARNASSUS

    by palimpsest

    Is released in the US on December 25th. For once, we get it earlier in the UK (October 16th).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:10:38 PM CDT

    I saw the trailer

    by mr_satan

    They changed the costumes of the characters somewhat. But it looks to stay with the comic a bunch. As long as Kick-Ass gets his ass handed to him over and over again. It will be just like the comic. But that also could hamstring it. We geeks love to see our characters come alive then bitch about the movie if they change an outfit. We need to get passed that and start to enjoy the story. Mind you wolverine did suck but Watchmen didn't. And we need to support more Watchmen movies or else we'll end up with more Wolverines. It out grossed Watchmen and it has made to itself enough money to have another shitty movie and a spin-off. And Watchmen goes the way of the doe doe. It's not fair but that's what happens. The masses love giant explosions and Hugh Jackman and the story comes last. Batman did well not just because it had a good story which it did. But because Ledger died leading more people to see it just like the crow when Lee died. And they were surprised that a comic book movies was actually well acted. We need to have more well acted and better written movies. They don't have to follow the comics to the tee but they do have to make sense. I hope this makes sense to masses so we can have more movies with substance and not more Transformers 2 big box office low intelligence movies.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:22:55 PM CDT

    LordPorkington

    by nerd_rage_retard_strength

    someone sounds jealous

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:25:01 PM CDT

    Lionsgate??

    by lang the cat

    Have they ever released anything decent? Aren't they famous for licking the bottom of the barrel and reguritating up a half-digested mess? Hopefully, this will break that trend.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:36:44 PM CDT

    Brad Pitt has started producing alot lately....

    by thewaqman

  • Aug 17, 2009 2:52:38 PM CDT

    Lord Porkington

    by odysseus

    Sorry I touched a nerve. I didn't realize how irrelevant my post was to this topic. Unlike yours. From now on, I'll follow your classy example.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:06:18 PM CDT

    BiggusDickus

    by osiris3657

    You obviously haven't seen any of the leaked footage....it's awesome.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:14:15 PM CDT

    Parnassus on Christmas release?

    by thewaqman

    What the fuck? Gilliam got shafted AGAIN?!!! The studios fully know that it's going to get raped. There are so many films releasing in that week. Not to mention Avatar aswell.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:23:08 PM CDT

    "Starring Nicholas Cage as........Movie Krytonite."

    by isleptwithkathybatesandallthatigotwasthi

    It doesn't matter how good this movie is, it's fucked!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:24:05 PM CDT

    Or even "Kryptonite"

    by isleptwithkathybatesandallthatigotwasthi

    Cage's wig made me spell it wrong! It's sitting on my shoulder growling at me, right now!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:30:54 PM CDT

    How cool was Knowing?

    by david cloverfield

    Cage is one of the few terrible actors, who are fascinating to watch, and their presense makes the movie better, instead of worse. Like Shatner.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:35:49 PM CDT

    Also Coming from Lionsgate in 2010! SAW 6

    by ines5

    Sadly That is a Fact. Lionsgate has even already hired Two People to Write it!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:35:54 PM CDT

    Fantastic Fest

    by rustle

    Could we please get this film at Fantastic Fest this year.. I'd rather not wait till 2010..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 3:37:25 PM CDT

    I meant SAW 7

    by ines5

    Like Anyone even Cares??!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 4:19:42 PM CDT

    Lionsgate... Not surprising

    by rsanta74

    Of the 3 studios, this one seems the most likely to have left the movie untouched, Hit-Girl kills & all. This is the studio that brought "Punisher Warzone," a movie with more than a few "hard" kills to the masses.

    It seems appropriate that Lionsgate will be the distributer. The difference here, as opposed to Warzone, is that this movie actually looks like fun instead of just a guilty (ie. tell no one) sort of pleasure.

    As for those people who say this movie will suck.... Watch the ComicCon footage. It's actually fairly impressive and looks to set a whole new standard for the genre.

    In a way, it's the anti-Dark Knight. Batman's supposed to be a real guy in the real world fighting real enemies. Still, for some reason, it always feels far removed from the dangers of the real world and far too close to the conceits of the genre.

    To me, based on the 1st 6 issues of the comic, it seems to take what TDK was doing to the next logical level. Instead of bypassing the dangers of being a powerless hero in the real world, as TDK does so often, the comic embraces the frailties of the average Joe. Batman jumps across rooftops. In the real world, people die trying to do that. Iron Man has a flying suit. In the real world, the guy would probably plummet to his death.

    What I find most interesting about the concept is that it makes you see how stupid these so-called "Real Life Superheroes" are compared to what they could be. It also highlights every single pitfall of them trying.

    I'm not saying that this will be better than TDK, which (imo) was great but flawed. What I am saying is that the $50mil Kick-Ass movie, if it stays true to the comic, looks to be a breath of fresh air a movie climate that allows the $270mil atrocities like Superman Returns to exist.

    As far as Nick Cage goes..... The man is hit or miss. He's either really fun to watch or really horrible. Whatever the case, he's usually over the top. In the case of a movie like Kick-Ass, his over the top acting looks totally appropriate. I'm actually looking forward to seeing Cage in this. (Just watch that ComicCon scene with him and Chloe Moretz to see why.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 4:38:07 PM CDT

    Has anyone seen any JETPACK footage?

    by jackson healy


    Is it looking cool? Or stupid? Wondering if they went with a Rocketeer vibe or if its something entirely different?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 4:39:53 PM CDT

    The Cage should redeem himself with this flick

    by masteryoda007

    I have a good feeling about this being the Cagemeisters comeback movie.

    From the footage that i have seen he could be "Raising Arizona" good. The hope of that alone is worth my ticket money.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 4:44:19 PM CDT

    Does anyone like Vaughn's movies better than Ritchies

    by blakindigo

  • Aug 17, 2009 5:15:06 PM CDT

    Man

    by warpedelements

    This is from The-ISS site, from LAST OCTOBER about this film: "Kick-Ass is about making a movie before even one of the comic's storyarcs is complete."

    That should tell you how much quality storytelling was put into this movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 5:29:28 PM CDT

    this movie will never fly...

    by darthwaz1

    I LOVE the comic- so awesome and such a fresh, new idea. However, a little girl slicing up bad guys and making dick jokes and a kid who goes around beating up puerto ricans is not gonna settle w/the mainstream.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 6:24:14 PM CDT

    Knowing...

    by harold-sherbort

    ...kicked ass

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 6:27:50 PM CDT

    This will be bigger than 300

    by supermarch

  • Aug 17, 2009 6:56:27 PM CDT

    Kick-Ass lateness = creator owned project

    by tall_boy66

    That's basically what it boils down to (Millar explained about a week ago), Millar and JRJR had to have their Marvel projects done on time (well, as "on time" as Millar ever is) before Kick-Ass, and JRJR got into a cartoon project and he had to do thousands of drawings or character designs or whatever when he didn't know the commitment would be that heavy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 7:02:20 PM CDT

    Nicolas Cage....

    by cheyne_stoking_dms

    threw out any credibility he had a long time ago. He has been and he will be in some seriously unredeemable SHIT i.e. 'The Wicker Man' and this aborted fetus 'Bad Lieutenant 2.'

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 7:03:30 PM CDT

    ive seen some of the footage

    by brabon300

    and they are sticking to the comic pretty closely...unlike wanted with a full year and a half of buzz, even rated hard r, the movie should do well

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 7:05:30 PM CDT

    Porkington, was that directed at me

    by mr_satan

    Because if it was I am not jealous. I'm to cool for all that. Least that what my says right after calling me a geek.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 7:09:48 PM CDT

    That girl will have one hell of a career

    by phategod2

    If she stays cute.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 7:23:13 PM CDT

    I've heard Kick Ass #7 is late because...

    by jackson healy


    Marvel keeps taking the colorist off the book in favor of putting him on other Marvel books since they don't make as much off of KA, as it's pwned by Millar and Romita Jr. So, basically, the script and the pencils are pretty much ready, just waiting to be colored in. For what it's worth, that's what I've heard.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 7:53:35 PM CDT

    Lionsgate? Fuck.

    by rambojesus

    I'm surprised that the mentioning of Punisher: War Zone didn't stir up the hive mind's memories of how Lionsgate did everything in their power to fuck over War Zone. They neutered the film at every turn, including putting generic metal bullshit in for a soundtrack. Let's hope they keep their mits off of Kick-Ass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 8:26:56 PM CDT

    Can't Wait for This to Hit Eight Theater and Then DVD

    by thusspakespymunk

    That's the Lionsgate method. Have you all forgotten MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN ? What about THE PERFECT GAME, which still hasn't come out yet? Bitches. Lionsgate wants to greedily but the rights, but won't ever want to actually release it because they'll have no idea how to deal with it. Bet you ANYTHING the titlle gets changed - no way in hell it's being released into any major markets while being called KICK-ASS. My bet? KICK-*BEEP* What's more, even if it does get released to the eight theaters - it'll be so heavily edited and toned-down as to be unwatchable, and even the 'director's cut' won;t be the legitimate cut. I predict massive reshoots followed by an announcement of an "indefinite hold" followed by a shady DVD release bare-bones set followed by a long contractual rights battle. GO LIONSGATE! YOU SUCK DICK!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 8:41:08 PM CDT

    Gotta admit, we need more Vaughn

    by yackbacker

    This guy is so early in his career, I wish he could get a more sustained schedule going. These are the years where he should be shooting a movie a year. Chill out when you're 50, bro!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 8:58:11 PM CDT

    Nicolas Cage

    by savagedave

    Worries me. I looked at some of the Wicker Man stuff on youtube, and, I know its out of context, but it looks to awful to be true.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 17, 2009 9:09:31 PM CDT

    every third film i've watched

    by frank cotton

    this year has been a LIONSGATE release

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 2:27:52 AM CDT

    my heart weeps a little

    by ugh

    Sure they are contractually obligated to premiere this film on 3400+ screens, but Lionsgate will rape this film to death before it even has a chance to blossom.
    ...Could be worse though...the Weinstein Co. could have gotten a hold it!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 4:08:32 AM CDT

    blakindigo

    by bitchesbastard

    Ritchie needs to stop writing scripts and concentrate on directing. Although his output is hit and miss, you can't deny he's a talent - something I hope he shows the world with Holmes.

    Vaughn on the other hand seems to go from strength to strength and IMO can do no wrong. Would have loved to see his version of Thor...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 4:57:29 AM CDT

    They're not doing a 'Wanted' Water-down

    by pokadoo

    This is good news. Can't wait to see this

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 7:18:41 AM CDT

    Seen the clips...

    by ultimarex

    I'll see it at least 3 times in the cinema and I'm getting the disc first day. Lionsgate if you're reading this DO NOT CHANGE A THING. Really, seriously, DO NOT CHANGE A THING. I haven't been so sold on something since Superman Returns and that was because I'm a massive Superman fan.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 7:37:42 AM CDT

    Not for everyone

    by stvnhthr

    I love Romita’s artwork, but the story of KA leaves me cold. Millar’s writing seems to constantly confuse pushing the envelope for being synonymous with creativity. Violent kids taking out their antisocial aggressions in disguises, not all that worthy of our attention is it? Still it seems there is a strong nihilistic element who enjoys ultra violence freed from moralistic underpinnings. Still Millar may surprise me as the story is not finished yet, maybe this one won’t end in a confusing whirl of moral ambiguity.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 11:05:53 AM CDT

    Cold?

    by b33

    "Violent kids taking out their antisocial aggressions in disguises, not all that worthy of our attention is it?"

    Really? That's the best summary of "Kick-Ass" you could possibly deduce? I find that rather puzzling, in nature. Two possibilities are present within this conundrum; you either missed the point entirely or simply skimmed through without paying much mind to the contents of the book.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 11:49:05 AM CDT

    A mix of desperation and loneliness...

    by zombiegremlin

    Kick Ass is about heroic deeds, and what makes us (or prevent us) from doing them. I am sure this will be a great movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 3:12:54 PM CDT

    For such violent and antisocial kids...

    by ultimarex

    Kick-ass isn't that good at violence. And Hit Girl is taking out her father's antisocial aggressions. Maybe it's not the kids. Maybe it's the world around them and they are the opposite if not quite equal reaction. My plea to Lionsgate wasn't just for me. People need to take one to the gut (no pun intended). Kick-ass isn't that but it is a step in the right direction.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 4:54:08 PM CDT

    Saw the clips/trailer from Comic-con...

    by randysavage

    ... this film is on my radar in a major way. Looked like Spiderman meets Pulp Fiction...

    I particularly liked the father shooting his daughter and the line, "with no power comes no responsibility."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 6:48:03 PM CDT

    Watchmen for kids.

    by jeffreyjones_ginger_taint

    http://alturl.com/qovw

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 7:14:34 PM CDT

    Saw a screening a few weeks back...SPOILERS

    by camerondiaz_zitbeard

    Saw it at the DGA theater with a bunch of big Hollywood type douchebags, including Matthew Vaughn, who introduced the film and made lots of apologies for the film as well. Which was weird. He was also surprised to see the theater full as he thought only 25 people were gonna watch it. He looked nervous, and no wonder, cause the film is a mess.


    It was a very poorly written film, very episodic, the third act makes no sense whatsoever and the movie feels like it is 5 hours long. Kick-Ass does indeed get his ass kicked, but it's weird calling the movie Kick-Ass as he is nowhere to be seen for almost half the movie. Hit Girl was great, but they way they filmed her killing all the gangsters will never get an R, cause we see the gun shooting and hitting a head in the same shot. MPAA does not like that, can't have both in the same shot. Have no idea how Vaughn's gonna cut around that.


    Big Daddy was okay in the beginning, but then, like I said, he gets stupid at the end. Nic Cage plays Big Daddy using an Adam West batman voice, which is pretty hilarious. His costume on the other hand is really bad. He looks like one of the fake Batmen in Dark Knight, doesn't look like the comic at all. But there's nothing original in this. It is Mystery Men meets Watchmen meets American Pie. Oh yeah, Kick-Ass has this girlfriend, who gets really nervous when Kick-Ass is kidnapped and almost killed live on the Internet, and then conveniently doesn't show up until a blink and you miss it end scene. Such a poorly constructed film.


    The bad guys in this movie are the worst, and take up a LOT of screen time. Really bad mobster types, so boring, with really bad acting. McLovin is pretty bad in this. That kid can't act. And it's so obvious that Red Mist is a villain by his costume, the fact Big Daddy just lets him in his lair at the end is STUPID!!! Big Daddy is all super smart and careful not to get caught as he takes a shotgun to all these mobsters, he doesn't trust Kick-Ass at all, calling him Ass Kick and the such, but all of a sudden at the end he forgets all this and just lets strangers in.



    If this review feels like a pastiche it is because the movie is a pastiche. The third act with Big Daddy burning to death, was laughably bad. Big Daddy had a partner on the police force that looks about 20 years younger than Nic Cage, but they're supposed to be the same age. Big Daddy draws portraits of all the characters in the film, but nowhere is it explained why, nor does it ever come into play really. But the mobster element really killed the film. Without them the movie is passable, mostly been done before shit. With the mobsters it makes it aggressively bad.



    Kick-Ass. Long story short, it didn't. The "sizzle" reel at Comic Con didn't contain any of the truly awful shit in this film, of which there is a lot. As I said, the actress who plays Hit Girl is good, Nic Cage as Adam West was great, but the rest was not very good. Lion's Gate picked up a turkey.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 8:18:50 PM CDT

    no subject

    by randysavage

    ^ That tempers my expectations a bit. How rough was the cut? I heard Vaughn is still in the editing process... and his other two films are exceptional.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 9:47:30 PM CDT

    RandySavage

    by camerondiaz_zitbeard

    Great name by the way. The cut was rough only in the sense that a lot of effects work wasn't done yet. The way it was introduced, it seemed as if the film was finished except for effects and an original score.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 18, 2009 11:07:53 PM CDT

    "KICK-ASS was the buzz sensation of the July Comic-Con..."

    by jdanielp

    That's like a movie producer writing a review of his/her movie for the USA TODAY. --Sure, I may see it. But it will always take more than that to convince me that a particular movie is worth the time.

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  • Aug 18, 2009 11:11:34 PM CDT

    By the way, that wasn't a knock on Comic-Con.

    by jdanielp

    Heck,...I'd like to go, some day. And I'm not convinced that KICK-ASS was all the buzz, considering the serious competition.

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  • Aug 19, 2009 1:16:12 AM CDT

    JDanielP

    by camerondiaz_zitbeard

    I was at Comic Con, save your money. If it were five years ago, I'd say go, but it hasn't gotten way too big and clunky. You'll end up waiting in line for hours and hours with no guarantee of getting into certain panels. If you don't have a press badge, it's a nightmare. Though the dealer's floor is col.



    That said, NO ONE was talking about Kick-Ass, so it was not all the buzz. Iron-Man 2 and Avatar were WAY ore talked about. In fact, if I hadn't have been told they screened some footage I never would have known. It made that little a ripple. If geeks who actually dress up like superheroes don't like your movie about geeks who dress up like superheroes, then you have a problem!

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  • Aug 19, 2009 1:16:52 AM CDT

    HAS gotten...

    by camerondiaz_zitbeard

    damn mary jane!

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  • Aug 19, 2009 11:08:41 AM CDT

    this looks strange and interesting

    by smudgewhat

    therefore i will see it

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  • Nov 05, 2009 8:01:35 PM CST

    MOVIE POSTERS!

    by mullen89

    Will not disappoint -the posters look like they are in line with the comic so far http://bit.ly/4yBXUJ

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  • Feb 15, 2010 1:46:32 AM CST

    lWUFAN

    by tmveqk

    XPuUKl lWUFAN

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 15, 2010 1:47:08 AM CST

    nlrWexuT

    by tmveqk

    wWhCKb nlrWexuT

    Reply to Talkback

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