Kick-A** (2010)
Warning: As you can tell from the title, this post contains censored vulgar language and descriptions of intense and graphic violence. If that’s not your cup of tea, I understand. Read with caution.
Kick-A** is the marriage of a raunchy R-rated comedy like Superbad or American Pie and an ultra-violent Tarantinoesque movie, with a superhero theme thrown in for good measure. It was written and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) in collaboration with Mark Millar (Wanted) who was writing the graphic novel at the same time. Kick-A** has received a very mixed response from the community of film critics with a 77 @ Rotten Tomatoes and a 66 @ Metacritic at the time of publication. Roger Ebert gave it two thumbs down and said, “I find “Kick-A**” morally reprehensible.” While Richard Corliss of TIME said, “This is a violent R-rated drama that comments cogently on the impulses — noble, venal or twisted — that lead people to help or hurt others.” However, it’s controversy has not been enough to earn it the ticket sales that many were expecting, with a less than desirable opening weekend of 19.8 million. However, some have suggested that the low numbers combined with a spike in sales of the four-week old How to Train Your Dragon may indicate that large numbers of teens unable to buy tickets for Kick-A** bought tickets for the other with the hopes of sneaking into the theater.
I should warn you that this review contains “spoilers.” That is, I have reviewed the film as one might review classic literature, with freedom to describe the plot and ending and relate them to the overall interpretation. If you cannot bear to know the ending and details in advance, I urge you to see the film before reading the review. Unlike some other Christian reviewers, I don’t keep track of curse words and possible objectionable content. If you are a parent wondering if you should let your teenage kids go see this… don’t. As for adult viewing, the title of the movie is enough to offend many, and the creators were kind enough to release a red-band trailer, if it offends you, then don’t touch the movie. But I have a morbid curiosity for all things cinematic and cultural, so for better or worse, I watched it. If you want/need to read a synopsis there is a good one on Wikipedia.
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