Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

Kick-Ass was a movie that both entertained and shocked audiences with its rebellious patent of taking the superhero genre and spinning into a raunchy hard-R satire with its unapolegetic delivery of ultra violence and subversive humor. It answered the witty question of why no one in real life every tried to be a superhero. Whether it or not it offended you with its morally reprehensible material (particularly from the violent and foul-mouthed Hit-Girl), it made for a wildly bold transcendence of its genre thanks to director Matthew Vaughn behind the wheel. It is sad to say that Vaughn didn't make his return to the director's chair for this sequel and is instead replaced by Jeff Wadlow whose previous effort was 'Never Back Down'. Upon watching this follow-up to the original, it seems like Wadlow may not have been the best replacement. Lacking the ironic flair and falling short of the anarchic comedic spirit that made the first film wildly entertaining, this film stands as a disappointing continuation of its predecessor. Set roughly three years after the events of the first film, Dave Lizewski (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has left his life as the crime-fighting machine in favor of picking up on his high school life. That is not the same for Mindy MacCready (played by Chloe-Grace Moretz), now 15, who is still out in the streets suited up as Hit- Girl taking down the baddies. After getting caught sneaking out by her now-guardian Marcus (played by Morris Chestnut), she is forced to give up her life of crime-fighting and go to school as a normal teenage girl. Meanwhile, Dave decides to jump back into his superhero alter- ego and recruits a band of others superhero wannabes lead by Colonel Stars-and-Stripes (played by Jim Carrey). This leads them into a battle against the former Red Mist star Chris D'Amico (played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse) who adopts a new super villain alter-ego known as The Mother F@%#er, in attempt to seek revenge against Kick- Ass who killed his father in the last film. Matthew Vaughn brought a clever source of audacious meta-humor and an unyielding push for stylized violence and profane dialogue for the purpose of establishing a unique portrayal of the comic book genre to the original. That is what made the film vastly entertaining. Jeff Wadlow tries following his footsteps, but his attempt comes to subpar results. Whereas the violence and profane were wittily perpetrated to establish a slick comedic edge, Wadlow cuts slightly back on the edgy humor in favor of toothless sex jokes and attempts at bodily humor that almost never seem to land. And when it comes down to taking the character and setting them in the crime-fighting action, the results are less funny and fall inconsistent with some jarring tonal shifts and stabs at dark humor that occasionally get off-putting. While the action sequences following Kick-Ass and his buddies are fun and retain roughly the same amount of bloodshed displayed in the original, less time is spent with the last film's show-stealer Hit-Girl whose time on screen is reduced in favor of segments focusing on Mindy Macready exploring her life as a high school girl joining a clique of snobby school chicks, a subplot that not only feels overly derivative from 'Mean Girls', but hinders the pacing of the plot . Thus, the majority of the show is handed to Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Kick-Ass who, while likable, lacks the level of charisma to Chloe Grace Moretz's Hit- Girl; while a large portion to handed to Christopher Mintz-Plasse's supervillain ego whose evil demeanor feels often too vicious and over-the-top to even contribute to the darkly funny atmosphere. Jim Carrey's Colonel Star-and-Stripes, a role the actor now detests due to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting months prior, is no show stealer here; though shines with a little twinkle of charm. In the end, it is fair to say Jeff Wadlow succeeds at making the film self-aware of itself while breathing a few nice action scenes to engage in the adrenaline- fueled testosterone, even if his style of humor falls short of Matthew Vaughn's comedic beauty. Kick-Ass 2 is a moderately entertaining sequel that may boast a sense of excitement in terms of feeding audiences with its energetic action muscle, but falls shallow to the bold humor and subversiveness that ravaged the beauty of its predecessor. It comes to show that more often than not, it follow-up signals a step down from the franchise. But could the return of Matthew Vaughn helped? It is certain.

Kick @$$ 2 is not as bad as most people say it is but it was still bad. When the first came out I thought it looked stupid so I did not see it. I wanted to see this one because Jim Carry (my favorite actor) was in it. So I quickly saw the first and loved it. But this one definitely disappoints. Jim Carry's character was cool but died way earlier than in the comic. It also did not have the same feel of the first and was nowhere near as vulgar or violent as the first. And also did not like how HitGirl was not as bad @$$ like the first. It also was not as dark as the first. In some ways like in the comic mother fu%%er rapes katie but in the movie he is about to but doesn't. That was good but in general he was not as sadistic as in the comic. They made it very cartoonist as well. There was some good stuff. The plot was good. The fight scenes were good but not that violent. And overall the characters were good. If you liked kick @$$ you'll probably hate this one but you should still give it a try. Its only 90 minutes.

I remember when this movie came out, I loved it so much. I like these movies because there's no way things would go well for anyone who decided to just become a superhero. These movies are violent, brutal and emotionally so rough. But now that I've seen this movie too many times, I notice how tacky the screen writing is. Especially during those scenes where Mindy clashes with the popular high school girls. Girls can be mean, but you wouldn't know that listening to these girls talk. Still fight scenes are fun, character designs are amazing, and there's something in Kick-Ass movies that just couldn't be done in typical DC or Marvel movies, some kind of irony that could never work in Avengers. Of course Deadpool comes close, but Deadpool's not a typical Marvel movie, is it?

Like its predecessor this is also a movie that tries to fit to much in the same bag. Being the sequel this tries even more. Expect stylized violence, "touching" moments, some romance, revenge, deceit, black humor and maybe the most ridiculous super(?) villain ever who also has the most ridiculous nickname ever.Chloë Grace Moretz is the protagonist here, like in the previous installment, yet is credited third. She literally kicks ass having practically superhuman powers despite the fact that the movie tries to "keep it real" and constantly reminding that "this is the real world" and "superheroes do not exist".It is a colorful movie (the ridiculous costumes add that too) but its pace is terrible. Yes, there is a big finale/final fight and the usual sentimental scene in the end, but the movie fails to achieve a proper rhythm.Younger audience might like it better but the forced messages and morales might annoy them too.Overall: If you liked the first one obviously you will check it out, but is far less interesting and the master villain is too ridiculous to fear him even if his acts are atrocious.