KickAss 2 by SHINYGOODGUY

CINEMA

KickAss 2

POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Thursday, April 10, 2014 20:18
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 9404
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Friday, August 16, 2013 6:13 PM

Where do I begin. Well, for starters, it's not as good as the first Kick Ass. There, I said it. I so wanted to like this movie, so much so, that when I heard they were making the sequel, I put it on must-see list.

I'm actually torn because parts of KA2 were brilliant, invoking memories of the original. But when you hear a half-assed attempt of the Banana Splits theme song during a brawl between our heroes and a den full of low-lifes, well I couldn't help but think that the writers and producers got lazy and tried to cash in on the original's popularity. Wait a minute, that's what they're supposed to do. But it was a cheap and tawdry trick, my intelligence, or lack thereof, was insulted.

Which brings me to the script. Like my writing here, it was uneven and had fits and starts, and I kept waiting for the movie to get rolling. Then a funny line or moment would suddenly appear and I thought - Finally! - but it would be followed by questionable edits and melodramatic moments. It seemed as though they couldn't make up their mind whether they wanted a teen comedy or a satiric statement on the ills of vigilante justice.

It felt as though the writers were splitting off into two different directions. Maybe that's why the movie felt somewhat schizophrenic. In the first one, the theme was taking individual responsibility as a parent and as a teen in our You Tube society, but all the while having fun with over-the-top action and performances. Jim Carrey, as Colonel Stars and Stripes (rolls off the tongue, doesn't it) was actually quite good, would most likely appear on Fox and Friends and be bosom buddies with Bill O'Reilly, was in the wrong movie. The Colonel should have been a character in 1970's Joe (about a right-wing factory worker starring Peter Boyle as Joe). Carrey's character, for all intents and purposes seemed oddly out of place or, should I say, out of character both for Carrey and the movie's half-baked satirical leanings. It just wasn't funny.

In other words, it took itself too serious. The main message (I could feel the writers hammering away) was the difference between the real world and the comic book world. Are they kidding me? I came to laugh, have a good time and be entertained, not to be preached to. Oh, I get that movies can be used to send such messages, but it's supposed to be FUN. There also seemed to be a message to teens regarding individuality and living one's life and not that of their stuffy old parental units. Sorry, but they already got the memo guys, it's called YOLO. I actually was lectured by my grandniece, who's 16, about that.

There were some flashes of comic brilliance sprinkled throughout, mostly involving sex, bathroom humor and 50 Shades of Grey (you'll see), but not enough for me to recommend going to the movieplex and shelling out big bucks. By the way, if you do go, don't bring anyone under 13. This one's strictly for the teens and above; there's salty language and some bloody violent scenes.

There is one saving grace, Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl. As in the first movie, she steals this one as well, but the script wasn't at all kind to her. Still she manages to pull off the heist as her energy and guile almost saves this movie. Notice I said - almost.

Damn, I really thought this would top Kick Ass, but without Nick Cage and Mark Strong, it just didn't quite do the trick for me. Love you Hit Girl, call me!

SGG

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Saturday, August 17, 2013 1:18 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

I too want to like this move. Sadly, Jim Carrey's character sounds like a parody of the exact thing he's been mouthing off against while OFF screen, so no matter how good an effort he makes, it's bound to come off as pure sarcasm, at best.

I think I'll wait for it on Netflix.

Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

Resident USA Freedom Fundie

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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Saturday, August 17, 2013 2:45 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Damn, I really thought this would top Kick Ass, but without Nick Cage and Mark Strong, it just didn't quite do the trick for me. Love you Hit Girl, call me!

Hit Girl is Awesomeness! She is what River can't be because River is not designed for ridiculing comic book violence.

". . . Possibly only Nic Cage could seem to shoot a small girl point-blank and make it, well, funny. Say what you will about her character, but Chloe Grace Moretz has presence and appeal. Then the movie moved into dark, dark territory, and I grew sad."
"Many children that age would be, I dunno, affected somehow, don't you think, after killing eight or 12 men who were trying to kill her? I know, I know. This is a satire. As I often read on the Internet: Hahahahaha."
"Will I seem hopelessly square if I find “Kick-Ass” morally reprehensible and will I appear to have missed the point?" - Roger Ebert on Kick-Ass (2010) If Ebert were alive, he would have given Kick-Ass 2 (2013) fewer stars than the first movie.

"The must-read book for all psychopaths!" is on the Kick Ass 2 comic book cover. The second movie stays closer to that spirit than the first, which is not smart for a director transferring violence on paper to film. Film can be just too real, with the wrong director, for the joke to be fun in the new form.

Writing for Nick Cage and Mark Strong possibly calmed the first movie's screenplay, hard as that is to believe. Once the two father figures are dead, scriptwriter/director Jeff Wadlow just pushed the throttle to the firewall. The only speed limit was avoiding an X rating. Who thinks writing for crazed Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes was going to slow down Kick-Ass 2?

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Saturday, August 17, 2013 4:38 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
(you'll see)...

Oh, no I won't. Hated the first one, have no interest in the sequel.

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 3:06 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

In July 2013 comic, Hit Girl was in jail. With source material like that, a Kick Ass 3 movie might not be made.

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 7:10 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

The problem I saw with Carrey's character was that he played it straight, as though a camera crew was following the "Colonel" while on patrol in his neighborhood during a taping of the new hit reality show Street Justice Forever.

It just felt out of place, but that's how the whole movie felt - like something was missing, out of place. It took itself too serious. There was very little in the way of fun, and it made me feel I was being preached to.
It was gross and way over the top at times, like in the first Kick Ass, but gone was the humor (except for a few brief instances). I could have done without the gangster-type influence and mob-like action, again it was the wrong movie for that (that was better done in Sister Act with the great Harvey Keitel).

Strong was perfect as the elder D'Amico, his take on the character was pitch perfect - you could almost see him having fun with it.
And Cage was fantastic as Big Daddy, you could definitely see him having fun with it. Kick Ass kicks Kick Ass 2 in the ass (try saying that 5 times fast).

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:

I too want to like this move. Sadly, Jim Carrey's character sounds like a parody of the exact thing he's been mouthing off against while OFF screen, so no matter how good an effort he makes, it's bound to come off as pure sarcasm, at best.

I think I'll wait for it on Netflix.

Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

Resident USA Freedom Fundie

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 7:17 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

Brace yourself, the movie ended in such a way as to suggest a 3rd installment. Heaven help us!

But, as Big Daddy said, it's more like ass kicked, if the box office doesn't pull off a major coup over other movies in the next few weeks.
The theatre was half empty on opening night - not a good sign.

I suggest Hollywood find a way to make a movie with just Hit Girl, oh and by the way, ditch those screenwriters - horrible.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by two:
In July 2013 comic, Hit Girl was in jail. With source material like that, a Kick Ass 3 movie might not be made.

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 7:21 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

I expected no less.......I thought you would "not like" this one....
a handful of the "jokes" were funny, but then the rest of the movie happened.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
(you'll see)...

Oh, no I won't. Hated the first one, have no interest in the sequel.

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 7:22 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

Ebert would have hated this movie, I have no doubt about that.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by two:
Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Damn, I really thought this would top Kick Ass, but without Nick Cage and Mark Strong, it just didn't quite do the trick for me. Love you Hit Girl, call me!
Hit Girl is Awesomeness! She is what River can't be because River is not designed for ridiculing comic book violence.

". . . Possibly only Nic Cage could seem to shoot a small girl point-blank and make it, well, funny. Say what you will about her character, but Chloe Grace Moretz has presence and appeal. Then the movie moved into dark, dark territory, and I grew sad."
"Many children that age would be, I dunno, affected somehow, don't you think, after killing eight or 12 men who were trying to kill her? I know, I know. This is a satire. As I often read on the Internet: Hahahahaha."
"Will I seem hopelessly square if I find “Kick-Ass” morally reprehensible and will I appear to have missed the point?" - Roger Ebert on Kick-Ass (2010) If Ebert were alive, he would have given Kick-Ass 2 (2013) fewer stars than the first movie.

"The must-read book for all psychopaths!" is on the Kick Ass 2 comic book cover. The second movie stays closer to that spirit than the first, which is not smart for a director transferring violence on paper to film. Film can be just too real, with the wrong director, for the joke to be fun in the new form.

Writing for Nick Cage and Mark Strong possibly calmed the first movie's screenplay, hard as that is to believe. Once the two father figures are dead, scriptwriter/director Jeff Wadlow just pushed the throttle to the firewall. The only speed limit was avoiding an X rating. Who thinks writing for crazed Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes was going to slow down Kick-Ass 2?

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 10:18 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Brace yourself, the movie ended in such a way as to suggest a 3rd installment. Heaven help us!

IMDb is reporting it made only 13.6 million, and has it in fourth place following The Butler, We're The Millers and Elysium. That 3rd installment is looking less likely right now.

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Sunday, August 18, 2013 1:23 PM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
That 3rd installment is looking less likely right now.

An eleven year old girl as an ultra-violent crime-fighter is cute. Marvel comics did similar with baby Avengers, a one-shot comic, an idea that is only good once. Chloe Grace Moretz is no-longer a little girl, she is now a little woman, and she is not so cute. Three years from now she will be even less cute cutthroat Hit-Girl. I think Shirley Temple could explain to her how that works. www.imdb.com/name/nm0000073/

I predict no Kick-Ass 3. The actors will be too old and the time for this story has passed.

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Monday, August 19, 2013 2:21 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

I figured the 1st movie would be more of an homage to Spiderman, with a bit more humor and a whole lot less fx stuff. I figured they'd 'keep it real' more, and play on the every day problems of being a super hero vs what we're use to seeing in comic books.

And there was that, but man, it did swerve into some darker, more graphic territory than I expected.

Unfortunate that the character of Hit Girl gets lost. I really liked her in the first movie.

Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

Resident USA Freedom Fundie

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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Monday, August 19, 2013 5:11 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:

I figured the 1st movie would . . . 'keep it real' more, and play on the every day problems of being a super hero vs what we're use to seeing in comic books.

And there was that, but man, it did swerve into some darker, more graphic territory than I expected.

It could have been worse. Kick-Ass 1, the movie, is superior to the comic because it ignored the comic. Unfortunately, Kick-Ass 2 was more respectful of its source material as if comic book writer Mark Millar is a gifted screenplay writer.

For Kick-Ass 1, which is funnier for you, the movie's or the comic book's final fight? See below.

In my opinion, if the scriptwriter for Kick-Ass 2 had been doing the adaptation for Kick-Ass 1, that dimwit would never have imagined a bazooka. Bazookas can be funny because it is ridiculous overkill. A cleaver is not funny. It is too ordinary, too real. Decide for yourself:

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Monday, August 19, 2013 5:24 AM

ZEEK

Maybe going in with low expectations was a better plan. I went in expecting to be disappointed and came out thinking it was potentially the best movie of the summer. The movie was pure fun. The violence was still crazy, over the top, and funny. There were plenty of scenes that took unexpected and hilarious turns. I didn't think the movie took itself too seriously at all. I thought it was just funny and light hearted. Sure there were a couple scenes designed to move our characters along emotionally, but I didn't think they were any different from the ones in the first movie. Overall I give it two thumbs up and will be getting it on DVD for sure. I want Kick Ass 3 more than ever.

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Monday, August 19, 2013 6:15 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
Overall I give it two thumbs up and will be getting it on DVD for sure.

Then you need more thumbs for Kick-Ass 1.
Kick-Ass 2 attempted a triumphal ending but couldn't match Kick-Ass 1. What could be better than an ending with the victors flying over NYNY at dawn?

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Monday, August 19, 2013 6:39 AM

ZEEK

I actually always thought that ending was super cheesy. Which isn't too out of place in Kick Ass but it's usually about the time I get up and walk away because the good parts of the movie are over.

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Monday, August 19, 2013 8:08 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
I actually always thought that ending was super cheesy. Which isn't too out of place in Kick Ass but it's usually about the time I get up and walk away because the good parts of the movie are over.

Arguing about which Kick-Ass is better is like arguing which is better: Dredd (2012) or Judge Dredd (1995). The answer is obviously Dredd (2012), which could have been called Judge Cassandra Anderson, but was not because only people who read the comic know who she is. By the way, she is telepathic like River.

And what in the world is the connection? Before "Kick-Ass," Millar wrote Judge Dredd stories for British publisher 2000 AD. www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/your-subversive-comics-arent-nearly
-as-subversive-as-you-think-on-kick-ass-2-and-other-modern-pseudo-adult-comic-book-provocations

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Saturday, August 24, 2013 5:24 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

I expected a drop-off in shininess regarding Hit Girl, because, precisely as you stated, she's no longer a cute little girl, but a teenager. Still though, I was impressed with Chloe Grace Moretz. She nearly stole this movie, unfortunately the script wasn't up to snuff. The Motherfucker wasn't nearly as interesting as the elder D'Amico.

And there was some ugliness with John Leguizamo's character, that seemed to be in the wrong movie. There was nothing funny about that scene. The violence, or, as I like to refer to it, the action was much better in Kick Ass 1. It flowed along with the story. The action in KA2 was actually violence, for shock value and seemed almost as an afterthought. "Oh yeah, we need to have something here."

Although I did like the way the Colonel's character was revealed. A good guy who was once bad, hmmmmmmmm. Interesting. But poorly developed. This movie had fits and starts in the storytelling department. In other words, the script was uneven, it flowed better in KA1. There were some funny moments but it never quite got any momentum. I heard that this movie had a lot of problems getting done and it showed up on the screen.

Again, my advice to Hollywood. Do a Hit Girl movie and forget Kick Ass.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by two:
Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
That 3rd installment is looking less likely right now.
An eleven year old girl as an ultra-violent crime-fighter is cute. Marvel comics did similar with baby Avengers, a one-shot comic, an idea that is only good once. Chloe Grace Moretz is no-longer a little girl, she is now a little woman, and she is not so cute. Three years from now she will be even less cute cutthroat Hit-Girl. I think Shirley Temple could explain to her how that works. www.imdb.com/name/nm0000073/

I predict no Kick-Ass 3. The actors will be too old and the time for this story has passed.

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

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Saturday, August 24, 2013 5:30 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

I'm with you, I really liked that "cheesey" ending.......it fit the modd perfectly. "Riding" off into the Sun rise....!?

;-)

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by two:
Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
Overall I give it two thumbs up and will be getting it on DVD for sure.
Then you need more thumbs for Kick-Ass 1.
Kick-Ass 2 attempted a triumphal ending but couldn't match Kick-Ass 1. What could be better than an ending with the victors flying over NYNY at dawn?

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

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Saturday, August 24, 2013 5:38 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

The hover machine guns and the Bazooka were the best things going in the movie's ending (aside from Hit Girl kicking ass to Bad Reputation). I loved the ending in Kick Ass - it was over the top (especially Elvis' song).

I can't remember one song or even a scene that sticks out for me in Kick Ass 2, but I could almost recite to you the songs and scenes from Kick Ass.
Now why is that!?

Kick Ass had a much better time telling the story. Better script. End of story.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by two:
Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:

I figured the 1st movie would . . . 'keep it real' more, and play on the every day problems of being a super hero vs what we're use to seeing in comic books.

And there was that, but man, it did swerve into some darker, more graphic territory than I expected.
It could have been worse. Kick-Ass 1, the movie, is superior to the comic because it ignored the comic. Unfortunately, Kick-Ass 2 was more respectful of its source material as if comic book writer Mark Millar is a gifted screenplay writer.

For Kick-Ass 1, which is funnier for you, the movie's or the comic book's final fight? See below.

In my opinion, if the scriptwriter for Kick-Ass 2 had been doing the adaptation for Kick-Ass 1, that dimwit would never have imagined a bazooka. Bazookas can be funny because it is ridiculous overkill. A cleaver is not funny. It is too ordinary, too real. Decide for yourself:

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, August 24, 2013 5:51 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

I'm sorely disappointed EC. This summer I thought that Superman would leave everyone in the dust, but alas it only managed a quick sprint. The second Star Trek movie was flat, despite all the explosions (my girlfriend was more interested in playing tonsil hockey), the Lone Ranger (I didn't bother).

About the only one that had me loving every minute was Pacific Rim.

So I don't think that it will happen, KA3 that is, but stranger things have happened. Remember, Hollywood is in comic book mode, and that means that they are banking on cashing in on just about anything in comics. I could be wrong, but.....................

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Brace yourself, the movie ended in such a way as to suggest a 3rd installment. Heaven help us!

IMDb is reporting it made only 13.6 million, and has it in fourth place following The Butler, We're The Millers and Elysium. That 3rd installment is looking less likely right now.

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Thursday, April 10, 2014 8:18 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

I liked it, but then I wanted to.
Jim Carrey is such a drag on most films he's in lately. Would have been much better without him.
I also wanted to give extra props to any series that Dodger Egbert insisted on Spoiling, and I'm glad he wasn't around to give SPOILERs this time again.

I was mostly wanting to see more of Hit Girl anyhow, like most probably were. Glad they didn't change actresses for the role.

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