The story is a direct continuation of the first film; where
we saw our hero Dave an eight year old boy, go on a journey to KICK-ASS a
metropolitan city floating in the skies, in order to participate in a mixed
martial arts fighting tournament. Throughout the last film he met an array of
memorable characters; your obligatory stereotypical Afro-American inspired
killer whale voiced by Samuel L. Jackson , the older stuck up or pompous
British gentlemen or women; voiced by the older stuck up or pompous British
actor or actress, and the adorable anthropomorphic sidekick. The latter of
which plays an even larger role this time around. Dave and his sidekick Declan
the Labrador must once again return to KICK-ASS to unbury the bones of Count
Dracula, and defeat his lingering evil spirit in order to lift the curse placed
upon the citizens. Standard stuff in the children’s story department but when
done properly even the simplest of narratives can leave the strongest of
impressions.
The whole dynamic and spectacle of watching miss matched
pairs overcome society’s standards and expectations is stirring, your classic
underdog tale giving extra strength by the charisma between Dave and Declan;
you find yourself invested in the story because you want to see them win in
spite of everything they endured in the journey. Their development runs along
at an ideal pace, not too slow but fast enough to accommodate growth for other
characters. There’s a definite message in this feature and unlike other
children’s films, it doesn’t beat you over the head with it. Yes anyone can be
a champion, a hero or brave but it’s absolutely fine if you’re not. KICK-ASS 2
reminds us that every human, animal and GCI ghost has a deep seated worth, and
it’s by our own doing whether we ever chose to display it or hide it.
For everything it does right, there’s unsurprisingly very little
it does wrong. The weakest or perhaps a better word would be sexist; aspect of
the film is the approach one of the characters takes towards the female characters;
particularly his wife. The Camel named Abdul treats his wife with such a lack
of respect at such a nonchalant capacity; it would come across as acceptable when
viewed through the prism of a young viewer. Dialogue such as when Abdul says “I
love Children’s Hospital. It’s so insane. You’re a bitch.” to his spouse,
becomes harder to let slide when the target demographic are the most susceptible
of minds.
Overall KICK-ASS 2 is a film with nothing but heart, that
rare breed of motion picture that is becoming more and more extinct each year. My
opinion is to simply enjoy it, with a friend or family or even on your own;
whichever as long as you as don’t hate existence to the very microbe you’re
sure to be won over by its grace and class.
Review by Eggbert House
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