Hi Harry, I just got back from the Arclight Screening of "Kick-Ass." I'll make this pretty quick. I've seen a lot of screenings, but I've never felt compelled to write in with any reviews. Until now. This is by far the best comic book movie I have ever seen. Or maybe it's just the most entertaining comic-book movie I have ever seen. It feels like a mixture of Batman Begins (it's an origin story about a powerless hero in a realistic, super-hero free world), Superbad (a coming-of-age teen angst tale with hilarious nerd banter- and the McLovin guy), and The Professional (there's an off-beat, obsessive master-assassin teaching a foul-mouthed, smart-ass young girl how to "hit"). And maybe a little bit Zombieland (with the dry, irreverent voice-over narrative from the film's socially-awkward hero). And maybe let's throw in a bit of the ol' Snatch or Layer Cake (with all the snappy lines and over-the-top antics from the tough-guys). I know that sounds like a narrative and tonal mess, but it really all comes together in perfect harmony. People will surely argue that Spiderman 2 and Dark Knight are the greatest comic-book movies ever, but I don't think anyone can argue that those are harmonious and flawless works. There were definitely elements that could be pointed out in those films that detracted from the work (i.e., Tobey Maguire's consistently blood shot eyes and 15 minute conversations about responsibility in SM2, Christian Bale's voice and Two-Face's truncated, 3rd act subplot in TDK). But I couldn't find any flaws in "Kickass." It was nearly a perfect script, filled with at least 8 to maybe 11 "oh shit" moments and lines that made people clap and freak out. Not only was it filled with amazing action sequences reminiscent of the gun play in The Professional or the fight work in the last two Batman films (hold the fast editing), it was simultaneously heartfelt and funny in the manner that Judd Apatow tries to make his films (but without the pretentiously long tangents and bland filler that have made his last 3 films half-good, half-lame). I'll just sum it up. The action and stunt-work is cleverly orchestrated and visceral. There's never a dull moment. Stuff blows up real good. An 11 year old girl says bad words and shoots/stabs people (in a non-exploitative way). Nicolas Cage is actually a talented, engaging actor here (or at least his quirky and hyper acting style works perfectly within the context of this film). The dialogue is funny and genuine. And I know it was just temp music, but I pray that the producers decide to keep Morricone's Ecstasy of Gold in the final shoot out. In the end, you really care about these characters and you want them to succeed. I never cared if Rachel Dawes got blown up in TDK, or if Kirsten Dunst fell to her death in any of her falling-to-her-death scenes in Spiderman (that would have been gratifying, actually). But this comic-book film is different. It felt like a real world with real people and real consequences (but with funnier people and Jon Woo style action). It makes you care, and then kicks your ass. See what I di- Nevermind. Just go see it. If you use this, call me "If you use this". If somebody has used that to be clever in the past, then call me DK MODE.
