Kick Ass 2 - Cinema Review

How does one defend the shit physics of Kick Ass 2? That was the main question circulating my friends and I in the aftermath of the blockbuster. Seemingly trivial and crude but actually representing a more serious idea, it suitably reflects the film itself. The focus on this instead of the film’s major themes is telling of the movie’s clouded message. The first Kick Ass was something of a satire on superhero movies or at least the closest we’ve had since Watchmen and whilst it provided a very quirky but realistic view on vigilantism it eventually became the thing it was seemingly parodying.

Kick Ass two is in many ways, everything a sequel should be. Bigger and better in almost every way, but with more power comes more responsibility and the film struggles with its own complex themes and mixed messages. The basic premise centres on the revenge of the former villain’s son and Kick Ass’s own wish for expansion in the superhero occupation. Hit Girl meanwhile, is struggling to integrate into normal society and spurn her superheroine upbringing.

 

The film’s style is thankfully intact with its quirky blend of dark humour, graphic violence, teenage problems and high school turmoil all present but somewhat pushed for space in this very loaded story. It keeps you engaged and adequately raises the stakes at the right moments but upon reflection and your own reintegration into the real world the faults and muddied message flare up.

The film seems to be saying that the real world needs real heroes, not costumed vigilantism, and the consequences for such flamboyance are stark and unforgiving. This is without a doubt darker than the first film with some quite horrifically real consequences coming back to burn our protagonist. The film gives most of them the attention, impact and handling they deserve, with the exception of Jim Carrey’s Colonel Stars And Stripes, who gets all the screen-time in the trailers and disappointingly little in the actual movie.

Ex-Mafia Born Again Christian Superhero played by Jim Carrey...that shouldn't need any other justification.

The consequences and events all lead back to this message of the heroes being in over their heads, of things getting out of hand. It’s a depressing message to be certain and the main characters themselves seem to be bored out of their minds without their past-times to enamour and give them purpose. So what message does this ultimately give? That the real world is safe but dull, full of financial worries, non-heroic pursuits and lacklustre careers. That trying to follow a dream like Kick Ass will lead to real danger and real loss.

The film definitely feels more real and the darkness I previously mentioned is shocking and thought provoking, especially when the film seems to be setting up for a trilogy overall. Without spoiling too much our protagonist Kick Ass seems to be unable to kick his habit and the question now is whether his superheroism is an obsession, a convoluted death wish of sorts or whether a third film will finally give him another purpose in life.

Deeper meanings and messages aside there is a lot to enjoy with Kick Ass 2. It’s a great cinema experience mixing drama, comedy and action, even elements of somewhat confused romance. If it does bite off more than it can chew, it should be commended for trying to handle such heavy topics. 

Some may view Kick Ass as a needlessly crude and offensive series but whilst I disagree regardless of the statement’s accuracy it is a movie quite unlike any other comedy or superhero film currently showing. If the gore (and other bodily fluids) don’t dissuade you from viewing, Kick Ass 2 is a powerful if bloated sequel to what is proving a unique, adventurous and strangely charming series.

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa - Cinema Half-Review

A film debut for Steve Coogan’s most successful character has been a long time in the works, and he, along with Armando Iannucci have finally decided to make their move in 2013. Potential pitfalls of an Alan Partridge movie are deftly sidestepped with a plot straight from Alan’s action movie fantasies. Pat Farrell is the film’s antagonist and Alan’s ex-colleague who takes his involuntary resignation particularly badly; to the extent that he arms himself and takes the radio station hostage. This interesting set-up allows the character to shine without resting the entire film’s structure on his shoulders.

The film gets into things surprisingly quickly, with a brief set-up of Alan’s current career in radio and the threat of takeover from another company, followed by the siege scenario erupting from within. Classic Partridge behaviour is merged near-seamlessly with action in an amusingly cramped domestic British setting.

There’s a variety to the humour and it will likely appeal to most audiences, though I think the majority of them will be long-term partridge fans as opposed to newcomers. I’d like to be wrong however as the film does an admirable job of balancing accessible laughs with a relatively tense atmosphere. There are a few lulls towards the later part of the film where it’s possible to lose interest but it sparks up again for the finale.

Pleasantly, context is only likely to make such images funnier.

Familiar characters like Lynn and Michael are more than simple cameo appearances, yet the film doesn’t rely too heavily on running jokes or old character interactions. It blends the old and the new fairly evenly ensuring a wide appeal to fans and newcomers alike. Overall the film isn’t anything mindblowing but is impressive for a first feature outing for the character. The humour will depend largely on your tastes as to whether it’s amusing or side-splitting, personally I was somewhere in between but I’m miserable so take that how you will. 

It’s here I realise that a good comedy film primarily consists of comedy and comedy is highly subjective so there’s little else I can say about Alpha Papa. If you’re a partridge fan you’ll likely enjoy it and even if you’re not, there are much worse films currently showing you could subject your eyeballs to. 

Gutless (Part One)

My hand quivers as i reach for the glass. I have to concentrate not to spill the liquid all over my bedroom floor. I swallow down a sombre gulp. No matter what i do, i can't wash away the pain. I gaze weakly and forlorn towards the clock, with it's indifferent limbs hanging limp. I've been waiting for this all day; denying myself in the hope that i can become a better person. Surely now it's okay to start, the preparation alone will take several minutes.

The rooms downstairs all mock me as i trudge half-deluded towards ecstasy. Just a few simple motions and the method is set in place. Maybe tomorrow i'll come clean, i just need today to ease out of it, that's all. I stand there sweating, longing for another hit. I'm not addicted i just feel strongly that it can't come soon enough.

The scars from years of abuse swell and stretch with my breathing, the tumour is only growing bigger. I run a hand across its blubbery surface and feel a shame and disgust deep inside myself. The time finally comes and i rush into things too quickly. It's over already and yet i feel no different. I need more but i know that more will never be enough, not until the day has lost all hours in which to abuse. I scrape the residue onto my palette and tell myself i'm better than this.

I walk solemnly through the graveyard towards where i meet my supplier. A man strolling with two slim, healthy dogs passes me. I've already prepared for the meeting despite my claims to not do this today. The sky threatens rain and cars shine their spotlights straight at me, exposing my ugly, overlapping frame.There's still time to turn back. I walk faster towards the meet.

The supplier is always friendly enough, although i know the procedures backwards at this point. I try to kid myself into thinking this is just a walk outside on a cool night, that my hands aren't still shaking and i'm not desperate for another score. I get my hands on the stuff and walk home far faster than i was able to on the way down. I take out my phone and make a few ripples with contacts but they're unlikely to reply. Just stones falling into a pond.

I pass healthier, prettier people on the way back and all i can think of is how they're judging me. The trees hiss in the wind and the atmosphere begins to spit down on me. We all need a little something to get by, why should it be so frowned upon? and yet i know there will be nothing close to a smile left in me once it's all over. Just the ever-present craving for more.

I finally slam the door behind me and one of my housemates greets me in his own annoying but earnest manner, whilst an uncomfortable vapour hangs around the other. They mock me from a distance as i pant and sweat and prepare my next shot at the stuff. I take it upstairs so i can have these ever dwindling moments of peace in privacy. I rip open the package and look upon my prize with desire and premature regret. There's a single momentary heartbeat before i gorge myself on the indulgence until there's nothing left and a sickening self-loathing boils deep within myself.

It doesn't matter though. I've had my fix and everything is right in the world whilst i'm under, i just need to keep my mind off the overall effects and how i can't afford to keep doing this. A darkness has covered the world with an indifference like sleeping on a steel floor. Heavy rain descends outside my window and i watch as the floodgates fully open, and just when i was doing so well...