Kick-Ass

It's clear that Vaughn does not draw the line. As I explained before, Kick-Ass is a film that commercially exploits satire to justify child violence. That is my opinion and so far, I've seen no arguments that could make me think otherwise.

I am not easily offended by films. The only ones I can think of are Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and Sŕlo. People underestimate the power of the movie experience. HK, you say that the makers of Kick-Ass do not draw the line, but that it is us that draw it. Imo, a filmmaker has the duty to draw the line somewhere, and when you show a kid getting beaten up by an adult under the pretence of it being only a satire, that is crossing the line.

Your argument of "if you don't like it, don't see it" is invalid imo, because if that's the case, then filmmakers can just show everything in movies, as long as it's accepted by whatever committee that determines the film's rating. So that would mean that I can make my satirical underage sex movie and justify it by saying: well, if you don't like it, don't see it! That would be all too easy.

Coincidentally, I've just read a quote by Peter Jackson that Mark put on the forum: "Film is such a powerful medium. It's like a weapon and I think you have a duty to self-censor." He said this of his own movie The Lovely Bones, but it sums up the issue I have with Kick-Ass.

This may not be a popular opinion that I'm putting forward here, but I've never backed off from voicing what I believe in. Until today I had only read a few Belgian reviews on Kick-Ass, which were all positive, so maybe I am being an old-fashioned moral crusader here. But I don't mind as I've got this man on my side .

Ebert is really inconsistent with these type films. He is saying, in a nutshell, that Kick-Ass is reveling in violence with no consequences, yet, he praises Tarantino film's such as Kill Bill and Inglorious Basterds.

IMO, it still boils down to this

We are still talking about (fake) violence in movies, not (real) child pornography or even real life violence for that matter. AND there is a HUGE moral line that has to be crossed (in my opinion it won't be crossed) to include fake, situational, or ironical child pornography in a film. I guess it is an agree to disagree moment

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For you it's crossing the line, for them it wasn't. That's how morals and principals work.

That's right. That's exactly how it works.

Again, that's how it works. Personally I'd have no problem with that, because it's fake. It's a fiction. So long as you're not breaking any laws or grooming children, no real sex, etc, then it's a film. You don't have to like it, in fact, no one has to like it, but that doesn't mean it can't be made.


That's his decision. That's his right and that's his opinion. All of which are valid and he made his film guided by those morals. Maybe 20 years ago he'd have thought differently? Maybe, in 20 years time, he'd make it differently? Who knows?

Like you, I don't care if it's old fashioned or not. It's your opinion and you're right and entitled to voice it. Also, I'm not trying to change your mind. Just saying why I disagree and think you're wrong. Film is like football, it's all opinions.

I love when these movies send people off on these great discussions. Good stuff peoples.

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We are both the source of the problem and the solution, yet we do not see ourselves in this light...

I also like this movie... I watch it online, and the story was something different that the other here movies. So I guess that this movie is cool.

This movie was OK, asskick himself was really a dumbass but hey at least he got the girl and she was smoking! the whole batman myth in the beginning was pretty hilarious, but that microwave scene was seriously ouch! ya the little girly killing machine was brutal but man did she have some serious kung-fu skillz

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Daniel Craig movies

I liked it. The action sequences were fun with a brilliantly matched soundtrack, and it was unabashedly over the top and colorful. Weakest part for me was the mobster dialogue, that could have been a bit juicier. Great fun though. Still trying to decide what the minimum age of viewers would be....

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I hate such movies which have kind of ninjas or karate in it!

What is its message though? "Anyone can dress up as a superhero and beat people up." Great message, that one (!)

As for a movie just being a movie, in 1993 two ten year olds murdered a toddler- they'd been reared on certificate 18 horror films and violent video games. Movies can influence people- obviously that doesn't mean we should all make non-offensive Care Bears movies, but to say that movies have no influence on behaviour is naive.

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You cannot have it both ways. A dancer who relies upon the doubtful comforts of human love can never be a great dancer. Never. (The Red Shoes, 1948)

I've not seen the film, but I would say that if the film had a message (which I don't know if it did or not) it might be that if people started to stand up for or back up someone in trouble, then maybe there'd be less violence and fear, not more. Of course, maybe it's the opposite. Maybe it reinforces what we're told, that you shouldn't get involved as you're likely to get hurt and to leave it to the professionals.

I'm really going to have to pull you up on this one. On the assumption that you're talking about the Bulger case (which I do) it sounds like you've read and taken the tabloid line on this and believed everything you've read.

They hadn't been reared on 18 Cert films, it'd been discovered that they'd watched Child's Play 3 the week before. Also, at the time, I'm fairly sure that Child's Play 3 was a 15 rated film, which was then raised to 18 after this.

My real problem with your comment though, isn't these little points, it's that it conveys belief (even if it wasn't what you meant) that watching a film or even many films of a certain type can result in acts like this. It's absolute nonsense, IMO. That you can become desensitized to something through repeated viewings I completely agree with. But that's a big jump to committing murder or kidnapping a child, etc and there's no evidence to support that leap.

Loved this movie tbh, thought it was a brilliant watch

It wasn't what I meant but I can understand how it would come across as that. I was trying to say what you've said- that you can become desensitized to violence through watching lots of violent movies. Obviously there are other factors that would push people to actually commit that violence, but the desensitization is still disturbing enough in itself. Not that we should all stop watching films with violence in, but the argument that films have no impact except as entertainment is flawed. Yes, it's naive to believe that everybody who watches violent films will go out and commit violence but it's equally naive to believe that watching a lot of excessivly violent films has no effect on them and their perception of violence.

saw this for the first time the other day and expected it to be somewhat decent, i was impressed with everything and found myself laughing at the little girl often. Kick ass was also funny as well as McLovin haha. definitely worth watching if you have the time!

Really liked the movie. I'm not sure what people get so offended about - it was in no way realistic or anything.

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Cheers,
Vic

I like this movie alot. One of my favorite superhero films. Kick Ass 2 was pretty decent too imo.

Heh, I'd forgotten I'd posted this. These days my opinion of the film has dropped by a couple of popcorn boxes, though.

I'm reaallly late with this thread. I don't get on my laptop much, so please forgive me.

I bought this flick and Kick-Ass 2 at the buy/sell store, for my grandson. It looked like a kid's movie to me, with all the colorful costumes and whatnot. He's only 6, and boy, am I thankful I watched one first.

These are NOT for kids. The violence is overly gratuitous, and the language is more vulgar than a porn movie.

That being said, I have to be honest...I enjoyed both movies. I've seen comments about how bad it is, how unbelievable, etc, etc.

These are the kind of flicks you have to just, you, go with it. Suspend belief, and not pick it apart.

My only complaint is why it's called Kick-Ass. It should be called Hit Girl. She's the star.

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Why, thank you!

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“The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.”
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Maybe you should check the rating of the film then before you buy for young children.

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"Kick-Ass 2" Sometimes funny and extremely violent by the book sequel that continues the concept of regular citizens becoming heroes.