MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Kick-Ass’ is not your average comic book movie, but still kicks ass

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Superman can fly, Spiderman can web his way out of a sticky situation and Batman has an awesome utility belt with all sorts of fancy gadgets.

But Kick-Ass, a comic book geek dressed in a wetsuit, is good at one thing: getting his ass kicked.

This violent, blood-bath of a film is not for the faint of heart — or those with virgin ears. Yet it offers a somewhat satirical peek into the world we live in: a society that thrives on crime while bystanders turn a blind eye to those in need of help.

Based on a series of graphic novels of the same name, “Kick-Ass” features an everyday kid who decides to try and make a difference in the world he lives in.

Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) and his friends love to read comic books.

As Lizewski witnesses the crime in his city, he begins to wonder why no one has ever tried to become a real superhero like the ones that exist in comics.

Deciding to step up and become a superhero himself, he dons a wetsuit and creates a superhero alias: Kick-Ass.

However, as Lizewski begins his crime-fighting endeavors, he quickly discovers that unlike Superman, he is not invincible, and getting punched and kicked in the face repeatedly has serious medical consequences.

Barely escaping death after his first criminal encounter, he teams up with two other vigilante heroes, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and his daughter, Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz), to take down the crime boss Frank D’Amico (Mark Strong), who is responsible for much of the corruption in New York City.

Lizewski discovers his crime-fighting calling may be more than he bargained for.

“Kick-Ass” effectively blends intense action with a healthy dose of comic relief.

The film adaptation does a good job of following the events of the graphic novel, though there are some pretty big changes in the movie version.

The film offers a solid flow and the pacing is great: comic relief often follows the intense, graphic scenes throughout the film.

However, “Kick-Ass” is the source of a lot of controversy. Hit-Girl, played by 13-year-old Chloe Moretz, has a potty-mouth that would make even the filthiest toilets seem squeaky-clean.

In addition to her extensive profane vocabulary, Hit-Girl also rivals Uma Thurman’s character in the “Kill Bill” series in terms of destructive prowess. She knows how to slice a bad guy to pieces, and does so many times throughout the film.

“Kick-Ass” offers an intense action experience and likeable characters that you will easily grow attached to. If you’re a fan superheroes and comics, “Kick-Ass” presents a unique take on the superhero experience.

Four stars out of five