Kick-Ass

Chin down, thumbs up. I like Matthew Vaughn for his approach to filmmaking alone, but the actual result far outweighs my sympathy. Kick-Ass has everything that a proper pop culture film of its time should have - losers, the internet, comic books, crazy humor, absurd violence, and a hefty helping of hyperbole. You can't go wrong by putting this all into one mix, polishing the visuals, and throwing exactly the right music into the playlist. I doubt I'll come across a more musically and editing-packed scene in the movie theater this year than the FPS shootout in the warehouse. Other than that, Nicolas Cage is back in form and Chloe Moretz is the cutest little cutie. Edit: It’s not the movie of the year (The Social Network is a bit different caliber after all), but it is definitely the most stylish movie. (05/11/2010)

An forthright treat within the genre that has no significant weak point. As much as I appreciated the complexity and "that extra something" with Watchmen, with Kick-Ass I similarly appreciate the pure honesty and, of course, the fact that it's just insanely good. :) I was a little worried about how Matthew Vaughn would handle the action, but Hit-Girl's killer rampage and catchphrases, to which there really is no other comment than fucking awesome!!!, left me in no doubt that a new cult among comic book adaptations had been born. Vaughn deserves to make a proper buck already too, which he could (and should) do this time. An outrageously hopped-up soundtrack, excellent lines, a great cast, and above all incredibly energetic and distinctive direction make Kick-Ass one of the films of the year. I'm looking forward to the second one. (05/07/2010)

Gorgeous movie. One of the last ones where certain scenes truly gave me chills while watching in the cinema. The scene in the warehouse is simply captivating, and every time I've seen the movie again, twice if I'm not mistaken, it absolutely blows me away. A beautiful example of how a comic can look great in a movie, mainly because it's an amazing source material and they picked excellent actors. Perfect casting. I fell in love with Chloë here, purely platonically, because I admire her as an actress. Damn, just thinking about that amazing scene in the warehouse gives me chills again. (02/10/2014)

We all suspected it, we all believed it, but it wasn't until the final credits that we were relieved that it really is such a blast as it was supposed to be. When I was afraid after the trailers that Kick-Ass would bring some cool action with a lack of emotions, I couldn't be more wrong. If there's something missing in the movie, it is precisely the inner processes of the main characters. Dave Lizewski is a character who literally corresponds to the teenage anonymous archetype and you will experience every success or failure with him to the last drop. And who's to blame? It's Matthew Vaughn, who quotes, upgrades, or retells everything you can remember, but at the same time creates an unexpectedly grand spectacle out of the whole story. In moments when you realize that the film is made under far more modest conditions than usual blockbusters, yet you feel the intoxication it brings, which perhaps only the biggest blockbusters can provide, it's clear to you that something great has come with this group. For me, a very strong 85% on the first watch and a necessity for further screenings. Right after it finishes, there is so much that it requires additional enjoyment. P.S.: The huge spectacle repeats itself and jumps to the highest level of experience. The best cinema experience in a long time. And a solid hundred. (05/10/2010)

Nomen est omen. A comic book movie about kids that isn’t for kids by any stretch of the imagination. Because gallons of blood flow, severed limbs pile up and an eleven-year-old girl accompanies the butchering of dozens of human bodies with cussing that would even make the proverbial trooper blush. But hold on, despite all of the above, this is an inventive movie and as much as it is bold and funny at the beginning, it changes smoothly into a serious and very heavy affair. Matthew Vaughn simply proves from the third time that he is special, very special. Which is good, really good. (04/29/2010)