Movie Review: Kick-Ass gets the job done

Editor's note: Review may contain spoilers.

If I were to pick one word to describe this movie, it would indeed be its very own title: kickass.

For the past few years, Hollywood has been feeding America the super hero fads. This movie, however, does a perfect job of poking fun at the super hero concept but not in a cheesy Not Another Teen Movie way. It's classy.

Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass, played by Aaron Johnson, is your typical comic book nerd who one day gets the idea to be a shining light in the diverse city he lives in. His two best friends don't offer the best support; however he decides to follow through. He orders his costume and keeps his new identity a secret. The evolution of this character is definitely satisfying, as he proves that there is a hero in everyone.

He starts out awkwardly doing little things around his neighborhood, like finding a lost cat. Eventually, he accidentally disrupts a fight and beats the hoodlums to a pulp, which is caught on camera. From that point on, he becomes famous, because it is played all over YouTube and on the local news.

The audience can relate to Kick-Ass because he is just an average high school student with insecurities trying to do good for society, but also strives to find his own identity throughout everything. He certainly isn't a professional, which is what adds to the hilarity, and he definitely gets beaten up a lot.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse, better known as Superbad's McLovin, plays the character of Chris D'Amico/Red Mist. The boy may have some chance to play outside his typical typecasted role of the ultimate nerd. His character is the son of a gangster drug lord of the city who is responsible for most of the crime. When his father notices Kick-Ass, he assumes he is the one interfering with his business. However, he is not the only vigilante in the city.

There are two other unknown vigilantes. Big Daddy, played flawlessly by Nicholas Cage, and Hit Girl, played by the fearless Chloe Moretz, make the best super hero duo. What makes them special is that they are father and daughter, an unlikely pair, especially since she is only eleven and has as much knowledge about fighting and weapons as Rambo does, thanks to Big Daddy's teachings. The dialogue between them and the bond they have, not to mention Hit Girl's vulgar language, is the best part about the movie. Hit Girl will definitely slap you in the face with pure satisfaction as you see her take charge and avenge. She makes the entire movie.

D'Amico, who only wants his father's approval and involvement with the family business, decides to step in. He creates Red Mist, a false vigilante, only to befriend Kick-Ass so he can lure him to his father to be "taken care of."

At this point in the movie, the action is about to reach its climax. Just when you think there's already been enough hardcore action, there's more to come taken to the next level of intensity, all done in good taste.

A love film, of course, is embedded into the story to add that extra component to the plot. It adds to the evolution of Kick-Ass's character, because he is the nerd that wins the most beautiful girl's heart. He finds himself, is taken under the wing of Hit Girl and Big Daddy, and literally kicks butt. The plot thickens as more and more events unfold, but I won't spoil everything. There is definitely potential for a sequel.

I recommend this movie to absolutely anyone, even if you aren't necessarily into the super hero fads. There are enough satirical moments about super heroes and plenty of hilarious action in this movie to keep you entertained. This movie allows any comic nerd, or individual who wishes they were a vigilante to laugh at themselves. More importantly, it's to celebrate the inner nerd, because underneath the mask is someone who just wishes they could make a difference, even if they are their own hero.

Rating: 5/5