Darkmatters Review: Kick Ass 2

Kick Ass 2 (15)

Dir. Jeff Wadlow

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“You don't have to be a bad-ass to be a superhero. You just have to be brave.”

When KICK ASS burst onto the cinema scene in 2010, Mark Millar kinetically blew the doors off the whole comic book genre - and it was something wonderful...

Yes KICK ASS was ultra violent and OTT sweary but got up the nose of The Daily Mail and to readers of comics it was the freshest, most exhilarating ride for years. Now here comes Kick Ass 2 - again based on the Mark Millar/John Romita Jr cutting edge comic books but this time helmed by Jeff 'Never Back Down' Wadlow.

"new allies"

This is a true 'The Empire Strikes Back' to the original's 'A New Hope' - we find Dave Lizewski /Kick-Ass (Aaron 'Savages' Taylor-Johnson) a conflicted soul. Having brought down the big crime boss at the end of the first film, he's now buffed and ready for more crime fighting but in need of a partner or team. Luckily Kick Ass's antics have inspired a whole raft of wannabe super-heroes and he is soon invited to join Justice Forever a rag-tag bunch of crime fighters led by born-again Christian Colonel Colonel Stars And Stripes (a great turn from Jim 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' Carrey).

"new challenges"

But every hero needs a nemesis and Kick Ass has his in the shape of Chris D'Amico (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) whose dad Kick Ass killed. Styling himself as the world's first real supervillian (even though his only 'power' is his warped mind and tons of cash) he adopts the censor baiting name The Motherf%£;*£;#;^r – and raises an evil army to exact revenge.

"try outs..."

Meanwhile Mindy Macready / Hit Girl (Chloë 'soon to be the new Carrie' Grace Moretz) has sworn to give up her vigilante ways and try to fit in at high school - a fun subplot which sees her rubbing up against bitchy babe Brooke (the upcoming Claudia Lee). Cue cheerleading, dates and Mean Girls-alike teen strife - all of which are all alien to Hit Girl.

"try and enjoy it - otherwise 'what's the point?'"

Incredibly KickAss 2 manages to bring the various elements together in a joyfully profane and crunchingly violent super-sequel that had the audience I saw it with cheering out loud. Whilst it might not be as fresh as the first film, Kick Ass 2 brings megaton comic book thrills and beats you to within an inch of your life with them...

Prepared to feel the Kick Ass shock and awe all over again.

"guess who's back"

There are some fantastic homages too including the aforementioned Mean Girls but also classics like Ferris Bueller and a ton of Superhero flicks as you'd expect. There is a genius, subversive, sick and funny mind at work here be warned: Kick Ass 2 isn't for the faint of heart!!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - Kicking Ass has never been as fun)...

Awesomeness ööööö – whoop-out-loud scenes of comic book thrills

Laughs öööö – very funny too (if incredibly 'wrong')

Horror ööö – some nasty violence / threat

Babes öööö – Claudia Lee vs Lindy Booth vs Chloë Grace Moretz

Spiritual Enlightenment öö – fight of justice?


Soundtrack:

Highlight for me - Glasvegas!!
Lowlight JJJJJ Jessie JJJ J

1. Yeah Yeah - James Flannigan 2. Nobody Move - Hanni El Khatib 3. Carry You - Union J 4. No Strings - Eg White, Chlöe Howl 5. Pussy Drop - Lemon 6. Dance - Danko Jones 7. A Minha Menina - The Bees 8. Bust Out Brigade - The Go! Team 9. When The Saints Go Marching In - St. Snot 10. Euphoria, Take My Hand - Glasvegas 11. Korobeiniki - Ozma 12. Danger - Marco Polo & Torae 13. Motherquake - DJ Fresh VS Diplo feat. Dominique Young Unique 14. Hero - Jessie J

Extended gallery (some pics thanks to 'HeartAttack')

"girl fight"

"it's going to kick off"

"Hit Girl brushes up OK"

"new girlfriend material?"

"bring it"