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Rating: Country: USA Release Date: August 3, 2010 Distributor: Lionsgate Director: · Matthew Vaughn Cast: · Aaron Johnson · Christopher Mintz-Plasse · Chloe Moretz · Nicolas Cage Related Sites: · IMDb: Kick-Ass Grade: A+

Back in January of 2001, I had a short story published, "The Secret Origin of Jerry," which involved a sub-ordinary guy who asked the question, "Why hasn't someone tried to become a superhero?" -- and who then took up the task himself with less than stellar results. So when I saw the concept for "Kick-Ass," I was gladdened to see that someone else was finally thinking the same thing. I mean, with all the things we have in our everyday life that were only found in science-fiction fifty years ago, why should the costumed vigilante be the sole holdout?

"Kick-Ass" tackles the question using supergeek Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson, "The Illusionist") as the one who explores the question. His friends, Marty and Todd (Clark Duke and Evan Peters) answer him with realism: a costumed superhero would get his ass kicked, because there's no such thing as super powers. This does not deter Dave from his obsession, however, as he puts together a costume on a budget and takes to the streets -- where he is predictably mangled. But from the jaws of defeat he snatches a bit of victory: a number of his bones were replaced with metal rods, and his nerves were damaged to the point of a quasi-neuropathy, so he can take a lot more pain than he used to. Several months of recovery later, he's back in action, and this time Kick-Ass (the name he's taken for himself) becomes an almost accidental sensation.

Kick-Ass's exploits, which reverberate throughout the blogosphere, provide inspiration to former cop Damon Macready (Nicolas Cage), who spent several years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Already proficient with (and in possession of) a vast number of weapons, and harboring a severe grudge against crimeboss Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong, "Sherlock Holmes") over the loss of his wife, Damon has included his young daughter Mindy in his vendetta, training her to be a fantastic fighter at the expense of childhood innocence (and language). Seeing Kick-Ass in action, young Mindy (Chloe Moretz, My Friends Tigger & Pooh) proposes they hide their identities in a similar fashion, and the duo take to the streets as Big Daddy and Hit-Girl. The difference between them and Kick-Ass? They know what they're doing, and they're really good at it. So good, that the big bad guys start to take notice, and a price is put out... on the wrong head.

"Kick-Ass" is a violent, profane love letter to the lifelong comics fan, and Matthew Vaughn's transfer from the comics to the screen is flawless. The homage to "Spider-Man" where Kick-Ass prepares to run across a rooftop and jump across an alley was a pricelessly funny scene, and almost all of Hit-Girl's dialogue was jaw-droppingly shocking. Knowing that there's a planned sequel -- "Kick-Ass: Balls to the Wall" -- is something that makes this reviewer very happy.

This three-disc home entertainment release is more filled with extras than your average San Diego Comic Con goody bag. On the Blu-ray, the viewer has the option of toggling the "Ass-Kicking Bonusview Mode." Here, you see the feature presentation in a picture-in-picture while Vaughn comments as he watches the same film on his widescreen. You also cut away (from Vaughn) to get additional behind-the-scenes footage while the action on the screen continues apace. And if this is just too eye-boggling for you, you can always watch the film with just the audio commentary from Vaughn.

There's a multi-chapter making-of featurette in which Vaughn is interviewed, along with Millar, Johnson, Moretz and others. You'll see test screenings, green screen shots, and other visual effects goodies, and see the cast and crew discussion panel at the 2009 SDCC.

With "It's On! The Comic Book Origin of Kick-Ass," Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. talk about how they came up with the comic book concept (which, apparently, had nothing to do with either of them reading my short story). Like myself, Millar thinks it odd that nobody has ever really tried it (although the Internet is starting to fill up with some tongue-in-cheek real life superheroes). You'll also get to see Romita draw some pages of an issue, and then see even more of his artwork in "The Art of Kick-Ass," where you'll also see photos and concept artwork for the costume design.

The "Marketing Archive" wraps up the remainder of the bonuses I could partake of, including the red band trailer. Not having D-Box or BD Touch, and having no need of Metamenu or Bookmarks, I'll leave those options for the exploration of those with better home theater systems than mine.

This release also includes the feature film on a DVD (no bonuses), and a digital copy disc for transfer to your Windows or Mac compatible device.