I think that more than anything else, it's kind of like a teeny bopper coming of age movie, only this time there's a lot of killing, profanity, gay jokes and sex. If it was Kick Ass the last time, this time, it's Hit-Girl's turn to finally discover who she really is. It deals with a bunch of the stuff we dealt with growing up as geeks and nerds in high school. Difference is, and this is where a lot of the fantasy fulfillment comes into play, she fights back. And it's that journey, along with Kick Ass' and Motherfucker's, that gets us interested.
Dave Lizweski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Mindy Macready (Chloe Grace Moretz)
Presentation:
Written like a comic book, presented like a comic book, and it worked very well. All of the characters makeshift costumes look a lot like the costumes worn by today's real-world heroes like Phoenix Jones. I thought that was a good touch, since it was practically reflecting that phenomenon happening in the US. It's a minor thing but cool nonetheless.
Throughout the film, you'll be hearing a lot of profanity and off-color, offensive remarks from a large number of the cast. I think almost everyone says "fuck" at least once. Personally, because I enjoy that kind of humor, I found it hilarious. A lot of the jokes were either racial or sexual in nature and I'm totally cool with that. It is rated R-16 here, and there are boobs. So, don't be an idiot and walk into that movie house thinking of seeing something like The Avengers. Kick Ass 2 is violent and offensive, in a way college kids would probably dig.
Kick Ass 2 is definitely a movie that you wouldn't want to take seriously, or you'll just end up wasting whatever you paid for at the ticket booth. The subject matter they tackle - revenge, violence and its consequences - are definitely things to take seriously, and were portrayed with the proper gravity in the movie, but the overall presentation should be consumed as you would an ultra-violent episode of Popeye the Sailor Man.
This guy is called The Motherfucker (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and the Toxic Mega Cunts. So, yeah, not a kiddie movie.
Action:
Man, the violence was insane. Most of the best scenes were, of course, courtesy of Hit-Girl, The Motherfucker, and his Toxic Mega Cunts. A lot of it is very graphic so if you're the type to get a little squeamish, maybe best to close your eyes during the fights or avoid the movie altogether. Some of them were pretty bad, even I winced a little. It isn't 300 or The Matrix, but it was brutal and the fight choreo was still pretty nifty.
Characterization and Performances:
To me, this is probably where the movie shines the most. Amidst the gratuitous violence, boob shots, potty mouths and rampant usage of sophomoric humor, you start caring for these characters. I read a few reviews that say the exact opposite, so maybe it's just me. I find a lot of the Kick Ass cast very relateable, you see. I, too, am a giant nerd who would like nothing more than to don a costume and fight crime. It's the ultimate fantasy for me; and it was like that for a lot of these people in the movie and while their reasons were far more extreme than mine, they were in pretty much the same vein.
Night Bitch (Lindy Booth) and Dr. Gravity (Donald Faison/ Turk). If I lived in this universe, I'd probably be in this group.
I cared so much for the characters that I feared for a lot of their well being, because this movie is not afraid of killing people off. I guess that's the beauty of non-legacy franchises.
In terms of evoking my emotions, I would say I felt about these characters almost as much as I felt for Defendor.
Special props to Jim Carrey (Col. Stars and Stripes) and Chloe Grace Moretz for their kick ass performances. Pun intended. If Chloe Grace Moretz wasn't the ultimate geek fantasy, she will be 2 years after everyone sees Kick Ass 2. She is 16 years old, you guys. Seriously.
Should you go see it?
Eh maybe. Don't take your kids to it. And if you're easily offended, maybe it's better to stay home and watch your telenovelas instead. I give Kick Ass 2 a solid 4 out of 5. It isn't for everyone.
Images are from cinemablend.