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Today’s Ypulse Youth Advisory Board review comes from Michael Hayball who made it out to theaters for the opening weekend of comic book flick “Kick-Ass.” I had fully intended to do the same but… somehow it just didn’t work out. Unfortunately for the studios behind the film, which fell seriously short of box office expectations, it looks like I wasn’t the only one. For a few theories on what went wrong on the marketing end, check out “5 Reasons Kick-Ass Failed”on CinemaBlend. Meanwhile below, Michael clues us in on what the would-be moviegoers missed.

As always, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com… or just leave a comment below.

YAB Review: Kick-Ass

What was the biggest draw?

The biggest draw was that it was a good looking movie with an 11 year-old girl killing people. Plus, McLovin was in it.

How much did you know beforehand?

Well, I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of, much less read the series beforehand. All I knew about the movie was what I saw the teaser trailers featuring Hit Girl and Big Daddy. And I LOVED it. With the extreme over-the-top reality that the trailers presented, I knew I HAD to see this. It was the same with “Zombieland.” With the piano crashing on top of the zombie, and the “Rules” I knew I was in for a campy type experience.

Describe your moviegoing experience

I watched it at a local movie theater with an interesting girl whom I’d asked on a date.

Sum it up

After being mugged in front of people who watch and do nothing, Dave Lizewski orders a green scuba outfit and moonlights as the superhero “Kick-Ass” even though he has no training whatsoever. After a few misfires (and by misfires I mean he gets the second part of his name handed to him), he successfully fights off three criminals while a bunch of bystanders film him and subsequently make him famous. This stunt catches the attention of other amateur superheroes Hit-Girl and Big Daddy, and drug lord Frank D’Amico who become his allies and foe, respectively.

So, what’d you think?

“Kick-Ass” didn’t kick ass. It was good at parts, but the third act was a downer. It was kinda cliché at points, especially after Kick Ass is all, “people care about me,” and then the love interest says more or less “I care about you,” (I kept that as generic as possible to avoid spoilers). However, the whole bit about a pre-teen killing people isn’t as horrifying as you would think; the director makes it sillier than anything else. Although hearing an 11-year-old use hardcore swear words and getting shot in the chest will throw you for a loop when you see it for the first time.

As for the positives, Nicolas Cage was good as Big Daddy with very campy delivery and Hit-Girl herself was excellent — Chloë Grace Moretz could be the next Dakota Fanning. Overall, it was an okay movie worth a viewing on DVD or Blu-Ray, if you’re inclined, but not really something to go out of your way to see.

About Michael

Michael lives a simple life in Allen Park, MI. When he is not attending Henry Ford Community College for his Associates, he can be seen chatting and socializing around campus and the local coffee shop. He enjoys a good iced caramel cappuccino, or a regular coca-cola. Michael loves what he calls “The Blog Music,” and he was and still is raised on a steady diet of electronic music and old-school hip hop. Michael hopes to work for Spin magazine one day, and screams like a little girl every time a new issue comes to the local coffee shop.

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Categorized under: Movies & Music, Youth Advisory Board

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