Kick-Ass (2010)

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

Writers:

Jane Goldman (screenplay), Matthew Vaughn (screenplay),

Stars:

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Garrett M. Brown, Chloë Grace Moretz

7 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson	...	Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass (as Aaron Johnson)
Garrett M. Brown	...	Mr. Lizewski
Evan Peters	...	Todd
Deborah Twiss	...	Mrs. Zane
Lyndsy Fonseca	...	Katie Deauxma
Sophie Wu	...	Erika Cho
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Mrs. Lizewski
Christopher Mintz-Plasse	...	Chris D'Amico / Red Mist
Stu 'Large' Riley	...	Huge Goon (as Stu Riley)
Johnny Hopkins	...	1st Gang Kid
Ohene Cornelius	...	2nd Gang Kid
Mark Strong	...	Frank D'Amico
Michael Rispoli	...	Big Joe
Corey Johnson	...	Sporty Goon
Kenneth Simmons	...	Scary Goon

Storyline

Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training.

---

Plot Keywords:

comic book | high school | superhero | training | teenager | 

---

Taglines:

Have fear. They're here.

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use - some involving children

Details

Official Sites:

Lionsgate [us] Official Facebook

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 April 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kick-Ass - Un superhéroe sin super poderes

Filming Locations:

All Star Lanes, Whiteleys Shopping Centre, Bayswater, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$19,828,687 (USA) (16 April 2010)

Gross:

$48,043,505 (USA) (25 June 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marv Films, Plan B Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After being rejected by every studio they approached, Matthew Vaughn raised the budget at a dinner party and made the movie independently. Vaughn ultimately sold the movie to Universal for more than he had originally asked them for.

---

Goofs

After Hit Girl in schoolgirl uniform shoots her way into the lobby of Damico's building, she pulls her roller suitcase and sets it near the elevator perpendicular to the wall. Then Hit Girl is shown at a different angle, and the suitcase is now at an angle and almost parallel to the wall.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Dave Lizewski: I always wondered why nobody did it before me. I mean, all those comic books, movies, TV shows. You think that one eccentric loner would've made himself a costume. I mean, is everyday life really so exciting? Are schools and offices so thrilling that I'm the only one who fantasized about this? Come on, be honest with yourself. At some point in our lives we all wanna be a superhero.
Dave Lizewski: That's not me,by the way. That's some Armenia guy with a history of mental health problems.

---

Connections

References The Spirit (2008)

---

Soundtracks

"Omen"
(Liam Howlett / Tim Hutton / Maxim Reality (as Keith Andrew Palmer))
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd./Perfect Songs Ltd.
© Superhero Media Ltd. administered by Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Performed by The Prodigy
Licensed courtesy of Cooking Vinyl
(p) 2009 Cooking Vinyl Ventures Prodigy Ltd. under exclusive worldwide license to Cooking Vinyl Ltd.
Courtesy of Take Me To The Hospital Ltd.

User Reviews

KICK-ASS kicked my ass

This is definitely the best movie of 2010 so far, hands down. Not only is it insanely funny throughout, it has a great story and in-your-face action that will (pun intended) kick your ass.

It's the story of a high school comic book nerd who decides he's going to take up being a costumed hero because no one else will. Early on he discovers that society could care less about the evils that be, and he takes it upon himself to do something about it. But of course none of the "super heroes" in the movie actually have powers, because it's about real people kicking real ass. Early on you'll find the protagonist, Dave, is a pushover and even as his costumed alter-ego, Kick-Ass, he can't succeed in anything he does. He comes off as an extremely unlikable character, but as the story unfolds and he gets mixed up with other costumed heroes who really do kick ass, he slowly becomes the perfect anti-hero and a character which will most likely be a new icon in popular culture.

The script for the film is remarkably well written and it managed to combine hilarious comedy with incredibly graphic, stylized violence. Never have I seen a movie that combined the two so well. One moment, you'll be crying from laughter and the next you'll be squinching at a little girl slaughtering grown men with the slightest of ease.

The directing was top-notch and this is the first film i've seen from Matthew Vaughn. If Kick-Ass doesn't put him on the map as one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood then I don't know what will.

The acting was superb from the entire cast, especially from veteran Nicolas Cage. He played his part perfectly and I couldn't see any one else as Big Daddy. As impressed as I was with Cage's performance, I was blown away with how well Chloe Moretz, Hit-Girl, played her part. She definitely stole the show.

I honestly couldn't recommend this movie more, and it has become one of my new personal favorites. Kick-Ass is a film about finding your identity and daring to do something no one else will. Yet it's also an intricate tale of revenge, which is masterfully crafted to be one of the most entertaining pieces of fiction I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.

10 out of 10