If you've seen the first Kick-Ass film, or even just seen the trailer for Kick-Ass 2, then you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the comedy - action movie. Perhaps even without any prior knowledge, the title itself can give you some indication of what is to come. And it definitely lives up to expectations, predictable in a way which still allows it to be brilliant.
Kick-Ass 2 starts a few years after the original, Dave is in college and Mindy has just started. Kick-Ass has been lying low from the superhero action and Hit Girl has been training every day. That is until her adoptive Dad asks her to quit and she reluctantly agrees. Dave seeks help from a new group of Superheo including Colonel Stars and Stripes and his dog. Along with this new motley crew, who believe in justice and getting the bad guys, Kick-Ass must assume a new superhero standing in order to bring down Chris D’Amico’s The Motherfucker; out to avenge his father’s death.
Another role that is high entertaining is Colonel Stars and Stripes who is played brilliantly by Jim Carey. You don’t realize it is him as he’s been given a lot of makeup, and it is a welcome change from his often silly roles. The other heroes all have interesting stories, and particularly the blossoming relationship between Kick Ass and Night Bitch gives another element to the proceedings.
There's even a cringe - worthy scenes with Mindy trying to fit in at High School. The girls watch a Union J video (some British teen boy band for those of you who don't know/care) and all become 'soaking' in the words of one of the perfect Barbies. It's painful to watch, but that's what makes it brilliant, you see Mindy as just an ordinary teenage girl trying to navigate high school, because let's not forget that she's only fifteen. This character development is a welcome juxtaposition with all the action and one liners, and allows us to see another side to her character. It all ends in tears though, when Mindy goes on a date, only to be set up and abandoned in the woods. She is devastated, and curls up in a ball of self pity and tears. Mercifully this doesn't last for long (if you want more then watch Mean Girls!) and she is soon drawn back into the world of the heroes and villains when Dave reminds her of who she really is.
Disappointingly, as we draw to the end, the fighting is chaotic, messy and, pretty unprofessional looking. In some ways, it adds to the fighting because it isn’t supposed to be spot on. These are ordinary people have taken to the street, most of them aren't trained and they don't know how to use a gun properly. It's like playing make believe, only this time lives are at stake.
Overall, Kick-Ass 2 is thoroughly enjoyable and the Hit Girl development is worth a watching. In fact, I full endorse a Hit Girl spin off series because I’d definitely watch that. Whilst it is pretty much the same pace as the first it, it is worth a watch because our characters have grown up, and there new characters to root for. It is still, well, kick ass.
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