by Ryan Pollard
Summary: Kick-Ass 2 is partly likeable and fun, and Chloe Grace Moretz is still outstanding, despite failing to achieve the wit and anarchy of the flawless original.
3/5 Average
The original Kick-Ass shook up the superhero genre when it hit screens back in 2010. It was unlike any comic-book movie that had ever come before, the tone was anarchic, the language was foul and the violence brutal. In the hands of writer/director, Matthew Vaughn, and co-writer, Jane Goldman, it was an absolute blast from start to finish, exciting, funny and hugely entertaining, an instant cult-classic and became this reviewer’s favourite film of all time. Set three years after the first installment, Kick-Ass 2 begins with Kick-Ass/Dave Lizewski having hung up his mask and Hit-Girl/Mindy Macready coming to terms with the loss of her father. But both have to return to their crime-fighting ways when Chris D’Amico, hero-turned-villain in the first movie, has become ever more troubled since witnessing his crime-boss-father’s murder at the hands of Kick-Ass. Hungry for revenge, he adopts an S&M ‘emo’ look, builds an evil empire and changes his identity from Red-Mist to The Motherf%&*!r. Matthew Vaughn now takes a producing credit, with Jeff Wadlow taking over in scripting and directing.
The three main returning characters return on top-form. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is still likeable and charming as the titular hero, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse is an absolute storm as The Motherf%&*!r as he creates a new spin on the character that’ll make you both abhor and sympathize with, however it’s Chloe Grace Moretz still shines and steals the show as Hit-Girl. Her combination of fierceness and vulnerability as she goes on her unhinged coming-of-age story is excellent. Jim Carrey is on scenery-chewing form as Colonel Stars & Stripes, leader of the rag-tag superhero group, Justice Forever. In spite of his clear insanity, he brings heart and soul to the film, despite being on-screen for only 15 minutes. The film certainly looks great, with Jeff Wadlow delivering action throughout the film that’s not for the faint-hearted, especially in the climatic brawl between Hit-Girl and muscle-bound monster, Mother Russia, and there were a few moments of laughter in certain sequences.
While great scenes peppered throughout – mainly the climactic battle – Kick-Ass 2 certainly lacks the spark, wit and surprise of the original. As with great tradition, a sequel will often lack the freshness and originality of its predecessor and Kick-Ass 2 never quite manages to escape the long, overcasting shadow of the original. The swearing and verbal obscenity isn’t anything like as funny and snappy as in the first film. There are ways of using swearing and obscenity in films in a way that is witty, sharp, and almost, Shakespearean but with Kick-Ass 2, it was just used in a juvenile, playground way. For example, when the villainous Red-Mist changes his name to The Motherf%&*!r, it was like the filmmakers was trying to find the rudest word to call their villain, and it just felt imbecilic.
So in the end, Jeff Wadlow is certainly no Matthew Vaughn. Kick-Ass 2 is somewhat both disappointing and cynical, which was a shame when the first film felt anything but. That’s not to say Kick-Ass 2 is a total failure, because with those three characters, there is going to be some stuff in there that works. The target audience will probably like it, laugh and be excited by it but they probably won’t love it. So, whilst it’s there in the cinema and everyone’s having a good time, it’ll be fine but it doesn’t have any of the wit and integrity of the original.
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