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Review: Kick Ass
The opening frames of Matthew Vaughn’s Kick Ass – a homemade hero’s ill-fated leap of faith from a huge building, only to crash hard onto a parked car tells us straight up that this isn’t your average comic book movie. And thank god. The credo of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr’s big screen adaptation “with no power comes no responsibility” is apt, Kick Ass will literally kick your ass, and make no mistake, you’ll love every second of it.
Dave Lizewski is average, super average in fact. He’s no Peter Parker or Clark Kent, he’s not destined for greatness and he’s sick of it. Inspired by his love of comics and perplexed at why no one has tried it before, he suits up and hits the streets, one brawl in front of a camera phone wielding crowd later and he’s an overnight sensation.
Pretty soon he attracts the attention of the lethal father/daughter vigilantes Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Bordering on the psychotic and bent on taking down mob boss Frank D’Amico, these guys are the real deal. As reality begins to hit home so do the consequences of his actions and before long he finds he’s in over his head.
A return to form for Nicholas Cage playing two sides of the same coin, the dweeby Damon Macready and the take-no-crap Big Daddy. From the Adam West inflection in Big Daddy’s voice to his sweet yet anarchic relationship with his daughter Mindy, the film picks up pace whenever the two hit the screen. Meanwhile Mark Strong provides a real villain, a Tony Soprano type who’s determined to send a message to any other potential caped crusaders, aided by his son Chris who’s desperate to prove his worth.
Unlike stars of the Marvel or DC universe, it’s not always happy endings for Mark Millar’s costumed heroes, the fact that Kick Ass could bite the big one at any moment creates a unique tension within the film. But where Kick Ass really lives up to the hype is during its high voltage fight sequences. Limbs are lost, bullets fly, blood squirts – all set against kicking tracks like Prodigy’s Omen and The Hit Girl’s Bad Reputation just to name a few – creating an awesomeness the likes of which you’ve never seen before.
It’s multiple references to comics; from Wolverine to Scott Pilgrim reinforce its real world twist, a nice change from the done-to-death textbook superhero movies we’ve come to expect. Kick Ass sports memorable turns from supporting cast Clarke Duke and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and seals Chloe Moretz status as one to watch - as the deadly, foul mouthed Hit Girl, she owns the film. Kick-Ass could be the Watchmen for a new age but definitely is 2010’s best film so far.
Kick Ass is in cinemas now.
Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour
Scott Pilgrim and the Epic Epicness.
Corey Haim: 1971-2010
It was announced today that once teen heartthrob and 80's movie megastar Corey Haim passed away from a drug overdose. Best known as being one half of The Two Coreys, along with his long time best friend Corey Feldman the couple took cinema by storm with a string of hits from the mid-eighties to early nineties.
Documentary: The Cove
(500) Days Of Summer - Reviewed
Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a strong believer in true love and believes that Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is 'the one'. Sadly, the new found girl of his dreams is sceptical about the concept of love. Nevertheless, after meeting at Tom's workplace, a greeting card company, they soon become romantically involved.
Scenes of their 500-day relationship are shown in a non linear format. Juxtaposing moments of utter bliss with soul-destroying anguish, it's during these highs and lows that we see each of their perceptions of the L word change and evolve.
Zooey Deschanel perfectly embodies the complex girl who got away - unsure of what she wants and afraid of commitment. She's the spanner in Tom's plans for a perfect relationship but also the cog that makes it all work.
Gordon-Levitt meanwhile proves that he can play a rom-com lead just as easily as playing an art-house hero, even if it isn't quite your average rom-com frontman role. Funny and likable throughout, it's through Tom that the films uplifting message is transferred.
With a kick-ass soundtrack to boot, (500) Days of Summer is an impressive first feature from Webb. Romance, comedy and drama, mixed with some crazy sequences thrown in to catch you off guard just when you think you've got it clocked. It's the feel good film which reflects modern relationships, reminding us all that love, fate and chance may come and go like Summer, but they do still exist.
(500) Days of Summer is available on DVD now.
I Love you Phillip Morris
Emotions fly high in the latest comedic offering from Jim Carrey. Based on real life events, I Love You Phillip Morris follows the unusual story of Steven Russell, a family man who after surviving a car crash has an epiphany and realises he's gay.
Nice working with you, Dr Venkman
However, on Monday 8th February 2010, the penny dropped and it was announced that Pete Venkman had died, or is going to die at least. Speaking to The Daily Mail no less, Murray put an end to the rumours surrounding his involvement, “I said to them, 'I'll do it if you kill me off in the first reel” stated the star, adding “So now they are going to have me as a ghost in the film."
All the original cast had signed on, Rick Moranis even said he’d come out of retirement for it, and fans had just about come to terms with the inevitable fact that younger-busters will be introduced. Murray was always the hold out, but fans endured holding on to the thought that one day they’ll see the foursome busting some ghosts one last time.
All that has been dashed away. So with nothing left to lose, I’ll stop biting my tongue and just say how a Ghostbusters 3 should go down. I’ll even provide a working title, ready for it?.
'Old Ghostbusters’ – simple as that. It’s a no brainer.