FILM REVIEW: Kick Ass 2

Three years ago, Kick Ass put a much-needed boot up the backside of the comic book genre. Now it returns in an environment in which the cynical humour, gore and obscenities that made it stand out, are part and parcel of what we expect from these kinds of films.

Kick Ass 2

Director: Jeff Wadlow

Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jim Carrey, Morris Chestnut

Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is still a bit of a geek by day, and occasionally Kick Ass by night. But the movement he inspired of everyday people dressing up in costumes and defending the streets means there are a whole bunch of crazies running around at night.

Meanwhile, Mindy Macready (Chloe Grace Moretz) is, after the death of her Big Daddy, trying to be a normal high school girl living with her dad's best friend, Detective Marcus Williams (Morris Chestnut).

The problem is she's determined to carry on the work that her dad trained her to do, so when Dave asks for lessons, she's only too happy to oblige.

Then there's poor little rich boy without a dad, Chris D'Amico, who has hung up his Red Mist costume but discovers a new, more evil identity as The Motherf*** er bent on destroying Kick Ass in revenge for the death of his father.

All of which sets up the very obvious good guys versus bad guys in a battle-for-the-streets-of-New- York scenario that will make up the paper-thin plot.

With fewer laughs and less sly genre subversion than its predecessor, Kick Ass 2 tries to compensate by laying on the violence thicker than a truckful of All Gold. This is a little revolting at first, but it soon becomes part of the yawn.

Perhaps part of the blame for the film's lack of wit or real humour can be placed at the feet of director Jeff Wadlow, whose previous film was the mixed martial arts flick Never Back Down.

If it weren't for a standout performance from 16-year-old Moretz, most of this film wouldn't be worth the trouble.

Jim Carrey in a cameo as Colonel Stars and Stripes, leader of a band of Kick Ass-inspired justice fighters, made the news when he recently denounced the level of violence in the film and said he would no longer be associated with it. However, he should have been more worried about his lacklustre performance.

If you sit through the film and the credits, you'll also see the producers have allowed for the possibility of a third film, which would be a shame as there's only so many times you can remind people that the first film didn't need a sequel. What kicked ass three years ago, now kicks itself squarely in the ass.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

There's no story to speak of, just a familiar title, recycled characters and carnage. - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Sequel offers the blend of R-rated nastiness and candy-coloured action fans expect. - John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter

It rattles along, a laugh here, a laugh there, occasionally reminding you of the better film that preceded it. - Jeff Wadlow, The Independent