Monthly Archives: August 2013

Movie Reviews

Movie Review – Kick-Ass 2

Leave a comment

Kick-Ass 2

Directed by Jeff Wadlow

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moritz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Leguizamo, Morris Chesnut, Clark Duke, Augustus Pew, Donald Faison, and Jim Carrey.

Backstory

Kick Ass was a fun little film when it came out in 2010. It tried to answer the age old question, what would superheroes be like in the real world? It almost answered that question, but kind of turned into a typical superhero film near the end. But, it did have a cliffhanger ending, and I was kind of curious to see what would come next. Original director Matthew Vaughn, so Jeff Wadlow took on the director’s chair. And with Nicholas Cage having died in the first film, we got another once great actor now known for weird and eccentric roles, Jim Carrey. Would this sequel live up to the first one?

Plot

It’s been 2 years since Kick Ass and Hit Girl took down the drug lord Frank D’Amico, and they’ve given up their superhero lives. However, they did inspire many, many people to take up the superhero life. Seeing those other heroes on 6 o’clock news every night, though, soon get Kick Ass longing for the superhero life again, and before long, he’s once again suiting up and patroling the streets. Kick Ass soon joins up with a fledgling superhero group called Justice Forever, lead by the militant Colonel Stars and Stripes. Kick Ass tries to get his old friend Hit Girl to suit up again, but she chooses not to, having made a promise to her adoptive father that she’d leave that life behind her. For young Hit Girl has new challenges. She’s going to need all her superhero training to tackle the new challenges of the mean girls in high school and her surging hormones. But all is not well. Chris D’Amico, the son of Frank D’Amico, has sworn vengeance on Kick Ass, and remakes himself as the Motherfucker, the world’s first supervillain. Before long, Kick Ass and the Motherfucker are heading towards a final showdown. Can Kick Ass save the day? Will Hit Girl don her mask once again?

What I Liked

This is actually a very nice coming-of-age story, as Kick Ass and Hit Girl struggle with their dual identities and try to figure out who they are. The heart and soul is Hit Girl, as she tries to figure out her adolescence. And her final comeuppance on the mean girls is disgusting and hilarious. Jim Carrey is really good, and almost unrecognizable, as Colonel Stars and Stripes. It’s also very funny, even though a lot of the humour is shock humour.

What I Didn’t Like

Well, it is bloodier and more violent than the first one. It does drag a little bit in the middle, and does start to feel a bit repetitive in some places.

Final Assessment

It’s good. If you like the first one, you’ll probably like this one.

3 Nibs

Movie Reviews

Movie Review – The Wolverine

Leave a comment

The Wolverine

Directed by James Mangold

Starring Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamato, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Brian Tee, Hal Yamanouchi, Will Yun Lee, and Famke Janssen.

Backstory

Wow, has the X-Men movie franchise really been going for 13 years now? Remarkable. And up front, at the centre of the franchise, has always been Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. We just knew Wolverine would eventually get his own film, but the first attempt, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, didn’t come across so well. So when they announced another Wolverine film, and it would focus on Wolverine’s time of Japan, I was excited. Jackman has long gone on record as saying Wolverine’s time in Japan is his favourite story arc, so this is the story that Jackman has wanted to tell. Would this be the definitive version of Wolverine?

Plot

Following the death of Jean Grey (see X-Men: The Last Stand), the man known as Logan has retreated into himself, and is living in the wilderness of the Yukon. One day, he’s approached by a mysterious woman named Yukio, who wants to take him to Tokyo. Many years ago, as a POW in Japan during World War II, Logan saved a solider named Yashida, and now, a billionarie and near death, Yashida wants to extend his thanks to Logan. Upon arriving, Yashida says he’s developed a process to transfer Logan’s healing factor to himself. Logan refuses this deal, and Yashida soon dies. Mariko, Yashida’s granddaughter and heir to the family fortune, soon becomes the target of assassins. So, Logan leaps into action to protect Mariko. But, something is wrong. His healing factor no longer works! Can Logan save Mariko, and get to the bottom of this scheme?

What I Liked

It’s always good to see Jackman back as Wolverine. At this point, Wolverine is Jackman’s James Bond. It’s the role he knows best and will always be best associated with. The Japanese setting really is a great change of pace, showcasing Wolverine as a stranger in a strange land. There’s some really great action scenes. Fukushima, as Yukio, is an interesting character. There’s lots to love.

What I Didn’t Like

The superheroics are kept to a minimum, so much so that when the big comic book movie climax happens, it does seem a little out of place. And as that climax rolls around, it does start falling back on some superhero movie cliches.

Final Assessment

I really enjoyed it. It was a nice, dark, return to form for Wolverine, and a worthy addition to the X-franchise.

3 Nibs