Sunday, August 25, 2013

Kick Ass 2 (2013)



Three years after Kick Ass first jumped onto our screens, he is back and this time looking to join a team....

Crime fighting super hero Kick Ass has now reached high school and decides to take his heroic escapades to the next level, by joining a team.

With the help of a group of like minded crime busters, he goes to work cleaning up the city, but will have to deal with the evil intentions of his Arch nemesis, "Red Mist", who is hell bent on revenge after the slaying of his crime-lord father.

Both sides will form armies and fight to the death as the deranged "Red Mist" does everything in his extensive array of powers to avenge his fathers' demise. A world of change awaits Kick Ass, as he comes to terms with the reality of the dangers involved with the costume he has chosen to wear.

The second in the highly successful series, returns the popular Kick Ass and Hit Girl to our screens, once more trying to rid the worlds of the criminal element. A good attempt to revive the glory of the first smash hit, but one which falls sorely short in entertainment value. The characters have to come to terms with teenage angst and a few more reality checks, which leaves a distinct lack of comedy in this second incantation.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson reprises the role which rocketed him to fame in 2010 giving a decent showing as both "Dave Lizewski" and the inimitable crime fighter "Kick Ass", but there is something missing from the loveable teen of the first film, a darker, more serious side seems to have taken hold of the character and for me, not one for the better.  In his first outing since "Anna Karenina" he gives a good performance, but the character and the way it is written lets him down. Keep an eye on this talented actor and look for him to take on more serious roles in the coming years.

Chloe Grace Moretz first burst into our collective consciousness as "Hit Girl" a foul-mouthed pre-teen, expertly trained by her rather deranged "Big Daddy" to be the ultimate killing machine. We have seen her sparkle in the likes of "Hugo" and "Dark Shadows" since then, showing the acting talent which has already made her a super star, but her high school version of "Hit Girl" is not one that will be long remembered. The role was perfectly suited to an 11 year old girl in 2010, but now as a moody and troubled teen does not hold the same fascination as before. A truly talented actress, but not her best outing as both "Hit Girl" and "Mindie Macreedy"

Christopher Mintz-Plasse is the one shining light in this one; moving from his character of "Red Mist" to the vengeful and power mad, "MotherF*cker". He is hell bent on avenging his father, who was killed by "Kick Ass" with a bazooka. His portrayal of the truly deranged character brings some much needed comic relief to the film, as he appoints himself the worlds' first super villain. His building of a gang of super criminals is entertaining and also a little sick, but makes for a few, much needed high points in the film.

Young Claudia Lee, who makes her big screen debut in this one as the arch high school nemesis of "Hit Girl", does a sterling job as "Brooke" and I think we can expect big things from this talented 17 year old.

Clark Duke, known to the world for his roles in "The Office" and "Robot Chicken", gives a very decent performance as "Marty" as well as the deceptive crime fighter "Battle Guy". His natural comedic talent shines through in this role and adds a lot of much needed substance to this film. Legendary funny man Jim Carrey, returns to the big screen for the first time since "Mr Poppers' Penguins" , with a great, if far too short, showing as "Colonel Stars and Stripes". His borderline lunacy and dedication to the cause are commendable and he is a shining light in a movie which would otherwise have been short of appealing features.

The film fails to deliver in the wake of high expectations, falling a bit flat and is not the finest piece of cinema you will see this year. The established characters are tired and possibly a bit too old in this one. The lack of comedy is noticeable and in places the film is down right depressing. I was expecting something a lot more light hearted and was disappointed.

Not an alltogether bad film, but I was expecting a lot more...

5/10





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