Kick-Ass

*** stars

It's nice to know that there are filmmakers out there like Matthew Vaughn who are willing to take some big risks with their features. And it's no surprise to me that his latest film Kick-Ass matches those expectations. However, I was surprised that it did hardly anything else but that. This is a fun, over-the-top, and stylistically violent film that has moments of greatness until it outstays its welcome.

At 127-minutes, it was hard to tell exactly where this film was going around the 90-minute mark. This is a story of an ordinary high-school "geek" named Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), one who likes comic books and dreams about the idea of becoming one. While I wish that there were more to this character than the "geek" stereotype (example: spends his Friday nights alone in his room jerking it to his teacher), it's certainly the perfect person you want to see become a superhero. One day, he ponders this idea, and does just that. He buys a cheap green and yellow costume online (that appropriately channels a rejected blue man's group costume) and hits the streets ready to tackle some crime. When he musters up the courage to approach some punks stealing a car, he nobly tries to stop them.

Then he gets stabbed.

Great way to introduce your hero, wouldn't you say?

Fortunately for Dave, he survives the ordeal and is willing to answer the call once again. This time he's much more successful. After taking down some thugs in a parking lot in front of a group of spectators, his actions are taken to the Internet where he becomes the biggest online sensation ever. He's on top of the world. That is until other superheroes decide to join in.

Meet the characters who steal the movie. Hit-girl (played by Chloe Moretz, who you might recognize as the little sister from 500 Days of Summer) is a pre-teen murdering machine, trained by her psycho, revenge-seeking father Damon Macready, aka Big Daddy. Nicholas Cage is in top form here as the wicked father, showing off his genius in a supporting role. Hit-girl and Big Daddy decide to bring Kick-Ass along for some, well, ass-kicking. They must stop an evil mob boss named Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong) and his nerdy son Chris, aka Red Mist, from taking them down. Christopher Mintz-Please (in case you steal need the damn reference, it's McLovin from Superbad) fits the character perfectly.

The plot is pretty standard in the world of comic-book movies, but it's the style and ultra-funny action scenes from Matthew Vaughn that makes Kick-Ass one hell of an entertaining ride. I'll admit my disappointment in the film's disguise of breaking Hollywood rules, by succeeding in its violence but becoming dependent on the conventions of a third-act script. When I saw the theatrical trailer for this film, I was excited that it looked like it was willing to go there. The film itself went there for the first 90-minutes, but it came crawling back in need of a conclusion.

Reviews For Movies In Theaters Now

Clash of the Titans
** stars

There is nothing about this Clash of the Titans remake that is really necessary. The script is formulaic, the visuals are sub-par, and the 3-D is strictly a gimmick. This is probably stuff you already know, so take it or leave it. If you're a moviegoer in need a summer movie fix, Clash of the Titans is a mild sedative. If you're a moviegoer who cringes at the thought of 3-D, side-effects include a hangover.



The Runaways
*** stars

About 20 twenty minutes into The Runaways, I kind of had the idea of where the movie was going. This is a by-the-numbers movie about the beginning of a band's formation, their journey to the top, and or course, their inevitable downfall. However, the film demands a sudden urgency thanks to strong performances by Dakota Fanning (portraying Cherie Currie) and Kristen Stewart (Joan Jett), and the absolute scene-stealing Michael Shannon.

The Ghost Writer
**** Stars

Roman Polanski may be involved in a low point in his personal life, but as a filmmaker, the man is still at the top of his game with The Ghost Writer, an intelligently taut and excitingly written political thriller. Ewan McGregor is perfectly cast as the ghost writer who will write the memoirs for former UK Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). After dominating British politics, Lang has retired with his wife in the United States. The character McGregor portrays has one job, to help him finish his book. Instead, he gets involved with a scandal Lang has been tied to. Eventually, it comes to a point where no one is safe, and the memoir's that involve highly sensitive material gets in the wrong hands. As a movie, The Ghost Writer is chalked full of wildly suspenseful scenes. It goes from a good movie to a great movie in the second half, turning into a powerful movie that is a relevant statement of uncovering secrets in order to do what's right. You can rule out Polanksi the person if you are repulsed by his personal life, but don't rule out Polanski the filmmaker just yet. This is the best film of the year so far.

Hot Tub Time Machine
*** Stars

As far as farces go, Hot Tub Time Machine ranks close to the top in terms of ridiculousness. As far as comedies ago, it’s not on par with The Hangover, but it’s worthy enough to be considered as the best hot tub movie ever made (whatever that means). In other words, it’s pretty damn funny. I love a movie with a premise that’s really out there, but I hate it when the movie feels they have to explain how the concept works. For example, did anyone really care how Phil Connors relived Groundhog Day over and over? No, it would have ruined the movie. So don’t expect Hot Tube Time Machine to waste it’s time on the scientific exploration of how the four main characters are accidentally sent back to 1986 by a hot tub time machine. Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking: the best title for a movie since Snakes on a Plane.