Kick-Ass 2

Jeff Wadlow (2013)

98min

15 Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Terry Staunton

This second outing for teenage superheroes Kick-Ass and Hit Girl doesn't quite press all the buttons of its predecessor, but nevertheless it delivers a high level of action and comedy. Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Mindy Macready (Chloë Grace Moretz) are trying to adjust to the growing pains of normal high-school life but are forced to revive their alter egos when they're targeted by the vengeful, rich brat son (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) of the crime lord they defeated in the first film. Director Jeff Wadlow joins the franchise, but brings a more pedestrian tone compared with the lively and inventive original, and now that Moretz is a few years older, the shock of her spouting foul-mouthed dialogue is also dampened. Arguably, too much time is also spent reiterating the cheesy mantra of there being "a hero in all of us", but the violent set pieces and edgy humour remain the same. Plus Jim Carrey as another would-be vigilante gives the pot a pleasing stir.

Summary

Amateur superhero Dave joins a team of like-minded crimefighters, while lethal young vigilante Mindy retires and tries to be a normal teenager. Both of them become targets of Dave's twisted former friend, who has reinvented himself as the world's first supervillain. Action comedy sequel, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Jim Carrey.

Cast & Crew

Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass Aaron Johnson

Mindy Macready / Hit Girl Chloë Grace Moretz

Colonel Stars and Stripes / Sal Bertolini Jim Carrey

Chris D'Amico Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Javier John Leguizamo

Detective Marcus Williams Morris Chestnut

Marty / Battle Guy Clark Duke

Todd / Ass Kicker Augustus Prew

Katie Deauxma Lyndsy Fonseca

Dr Gravity Donald Faison

Night Bitch Lindy Booth

Angie D'Amico Yancey Butler

Tommy's dad Steven Mackintosh

Tommy's mum Monica Dolan

Black Death Daniel Kaluuya

Big Tony / The Tumor Andy Nyman

Katarina Drombovski / Mother Russia Olga Kurkulina

Uncle Ralph Iain Glen

Erika Cho Sophie Wu

Mr Kim Benedict Wong

Insect Man Robert Emms

Director Jeff Wadlow

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: UniversalGuidance: Violence, swearing, brief nudity.Available on: DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 9 Aug 2013

Comedy Drama

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