A brash, ultraviolent superhero satire with real pop energy, sharp comic-book styling, and a memorable breakout turn from Chloë Grace Moretz. It’s messy and knowingly juvenile at times, but the action, pacing, and attitude make it an easy recommendation for viewers who like their genre films loud, self-aware, and a… Read more
Kick-Ass
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Action · Crime
Fri · 1h 58m
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage
Overview
Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.
Director
Matthew Vaughn
Cast
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage
Curator Review
Verdict
A brash, ultraviolent superhero satire with real pop energy, sharp comic-book styling, and a memorable breakout turn from Chloë Grace Moretz. It’s messy and knowingly juvenile at times, but the action, pacing, and attitude make it an easy recommendation for viewers who like their genre films loud, self-aware, and a little mean.
Best for
fans of darkly comic superhero movies
viewers who like stylized violence and fast pacing
people drawn to subversive coming-of-age stories
audiences who enjoy comic-book movies with a crude edge
Skip if
you want sincere, earnest superhero storytelling
graphic violence against kids is a dealbreaker
you dislike crass humor and adolescent shock tactics
you prefer grounded crime action over comic-book exaggeration
Overview
Kick-Ass is a gleefully nasty riff on superhero wish fulfillment, turning nerd fantasy into a blood-splattered disaster movie with punchlines. Matthew Vaughn keeps it moving with candy-colored visuals, comic-book snap, and enough momentum to make the movie feel like a dare that mostly pays off.
Worth noting
What really sticks is the contrast between the film’s juvenile self-mythology and its genuinely vicious action. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the title character with awkward sincerity, but Chloë Grace Moretz steals the movie by making Hit-Girl both hilarious and frighteningly competent.
Bottom line
The movie’s satire is blunt rather than subtle, and some of its humor has aged better than other parts. Still, it remains a high-energy, influential genre mashup that works best when you accept it as a reckless, R-rated comic-book prank with real style.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Lucy (4.5★) · 4475 likes
no offense but deadpool who?
sarah (3.5★) · 4136 likes
i just think that aaron taylor-johnson
hyatt (3★) · 3765 likes
the most inaccurate part of this movie is how no girl wants aaron taylor johnson
giovana :) (4★) · 2681 likes
aaron taylor johnson hottest man on earth dude had no ugly phases zero ugly phases i am obsessed i want him to be my boyfriend so bad you people dont understand
Charlie (3.5★) · 2637 likes
how much do you wanna bet nicholas cage dressed up in a batman suit and called himself Big Daddy way before he got this part?
Themes
superhero parody, wish fulfillment, coming-of-age, vigilantism, comic-book aesthetics, dark comedy, stylized violence, teen identity
Topics
superhero satire, dark comedy, action-comedy, vigilante, coming-of-age, stylized violence, comic-book adaptation, teen rebellion, R-rated, 2010s