Kick-Ass: Cinefantastique Podcast 1:10
Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) takes on mob boss Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong).
Cinefantastique’s Horror, Fantasy & Science Fiction Podcast returns with a blow-by-blow knock-down debate regarding the merits (or lack thereof) in the new comic-book superhero fantasy KICK ASS, starring Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, and Nicolas Cage. Does the film kick ass, or does it fall flatter than an empty cape? Also on the agenda, the usual round-up of news, recommendations, and home video releases.
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I had to shut the podcast off when I reached the comment that Kick-Ass becomes a supporting character in his own film. Nothing could not have been further from the truth and I am dismayed at the intellectual laziness that comment displayed. Kick-Ass is the sole reason for the crime boss discovering Big Daddy. If Kick-Ass had not shown up, then Red Mist would not have been created, nor would the teddy bear have been placed in the warehouse and all the events that follow from that incident would not have happened.
Also, those events that follow are perfectly set-up in the beginning of the film, when Kick-Ass describes his origins as not being rooted in the avenging of a tragedy, but in childish curiosity. Both Big Daddy and Hit-Girl HAVE a tragedy to draw upon and they act accordingly, answering criminal brutality with equally brutal poetic justice. At the film’s conclusion, Kick-Ass does the very same, as he has a tragedy of his own making to avenge and make right.
You make some good points, but even if you don’t think Kick-Ass is reduced to a supporting character, wouldn’t you agree that he is at least upstaged by Hit Girl?
And, strictly speaking Kick-Ass is not the sole reason for D’Amico discovering Big Daddy. The descriptions from D’Amico’s men are part of the reason, along with the cell phone picture of Big Daddy. Had it not been for Dave Lizewski putting on the green wet suit, D’Amico would not have made the mistake of thinking Kick-Ass was the one messing with his operation. Who knows? If he hadn’t wasted time trying to track down Kick-Ass, D’Amico might have found Big Daddy sooner.