Kick-Ass 2 
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopeher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Faison, Lyndsy Fonseca, Augustus Prew, Morris Chestnut, Jim Carrey, Lindy Booth, Clarke Duke
Directed by: Jeff Wadlow
Rated: R
Run Time: 103 mins
Genre: Action/ Comedy/Crime
Opens August 16th
By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com
Hey Phoenix Film Fans! If you’re in the mood for an action film this weekend, the sequel to the 2010 hit “Kick-Ass”, “Kick-Ass 2” opens in theaters nationwide. Missing from the sequel is Nicolas Cage’s character “Big Daddy” but gains a quirky comedic actor, Jim Carrey. How does the film fare? Read on to find out.
When we find Dave Lizewski a.k.a. Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), he’s a high school senior who has retired from the real-life super hero game. Others have joined the ranks of real-life superheroes, and after the death of Big Daddy, it was best to lie low. Now that he has had a taste of the real life action he wants more and is generally bored with regular life.
On the other hand, Mindy Macready a.k.a. Hit Girl is trying to get through life without Big Daddy, adjust to a new life under the guardianship of her father’s old partner Det. Marcus Williams (Morris Chestnut) and being a high school freshman. As much as she wants to avenge her father’s death, Marcus makes Mindy swear that she will give that life up and focus on being a teenager. Easier said than done as she and Dave have been training together taking on the degenerates of the city. After getting caught again, Mindy is forced to give up Hit Girl for good but can she deny such a strong part of herself when there are people that need her help?
While Mindy deserts Dave, he finds a new crop of super heroes to help him patrol the town. Under the wing of General Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), Dave/Kick-Ass teams up with his friend Marty aka Battle Guy (Clarke Duke), Dr. Gravity (Donald Faison), Night Bitch (Lindy Booth)Insect Man (Robert Emms) and Tommy’s Parents (Steven Mackintosh and Monica Dolan). They have a new set of foes as Chris D’Amico has risen an army of evil vigilantes to avenge his father’s death and to kill Kick-Ass. Under his new identity, The Motherf8%&*& (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), he assembles some of the most ruthless killers known. Can Kick-Ass and his new team stop the M.F. before it’s too late or will they meet the worst fate under this maniacs rule?
Over the top and über violent are probably the best two words to sum up this sequel. Although the characters were more colorful, literally and figuratively, something was missing that created the same impact the first film delivered in entertainment. Perhaps that the focus was more on Hit Girl and less on Kick Ass, but the plight of a high school girl from a male's point of view is rather ridiculous and uninteresting as told from a comic book-esq style. The action sequences will keep viewers on the edge of their sets but what made the first film so unique was the dynamic that Kick Ass had with his friends and his now nemesis, Chris D’Amico. Overall the comedic tone and violent action sequences are entertaining, but unsuitable for small children. Catch “Kick-Ass 2” When it opens in theaters starting Friday August 16, 2013.
