Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

With a name like Kick-Ass 2, it’s obvious that this film is a superhero sequel with some balls.

The first Kick-Ass told the story of everyday fan boy Dave Lizewski’s transformation from loser to the first real-life superhero, Kick-Ass. He meets other heroes, such as the tough-as-nails 11-year-old Hit Girl, beats up thugs, and eventually takes down a dangerous mob boss. However, as Dave’s father stresses in this new installment, in the real world, actions always come with consequences.

Chris D’Amico, son of the previously mentioned, and previously murdered mob boss, is out for revenge as the world’s first super villain. In the mean time, Hit Girl and Kick-Ass part ways, with Hit Girl attempting to live a normal life away from the mask, while Dave delves deeper into the world of caped crusaders, joining up with a team of heroes known as Justice Forever.

Much like the first film, Kick-Ass 2 is a different breed of superhero film. In a world filled with brooding billionaires and big-budget super teams, it’s refreshing to get a taste of something completely different. Kick-Ass 2 is an ultra-violent superhero comedy that pulls no punches, and is sure to please audiences.

The best way to describe Kick-Ass 2 is fun. This movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, and packs in some great and hilarious comedic moment in-between absolute bloodbaths and foul-mouthed mayhem.

What makes Kick-Ass 2 even more enjoyable is that it doesn’t rely on building up hype for some bigger blockbuster being released next summer. Regardless of how popular it may be, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a self-perpetuating advertisement for itself at this point, and as DC scrambles to compete, things don’t look good for the genre. However, Kick-Ass 2 doesn’t waste time hyping up something that hasn’t happened yet. It is fun, enjoyable, and exciting without relying on the gimmick of a potential franchise.

Many Kick-Ass original cast members returned for the sequel, while some new faces were added as well. Jim Carrey plays ex-mob enforcer turned superhero Colonel Stars and Stripes, and Donald Faison of Scrubs introduces Dr. Gravity. Despite Carrey’s recent protest of the level of violence in film (which I’m sure will be forgotten when he takes a look at his earnings from the film) he puts on a stellar performance as Col. Stars and Stripes.

Overall, Kick-Ass 2 highly improves on the level of fun from the first film, and even improves on the often violence-for-the-sake-violence attitude of the shock-value comic book it is based on. This film shows that superheroes don’t have to be brooding badasses, alien orphans, playboy aristocrats, or gods on earth. Sometimes, they can be dorky losers or 11-year-old girls. The film is best described by an improvised line delivered by Col. Stars and Stripes: “If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?”