Kick-Ass 2

Prequel to this movie: Kick-Ass (2010)

Of all the movie reviews I’ve had to do over the years, this is both the easiest and most difficult to write. The easy part is the suggestion of whether or not this movie is acceptable for Christian viewers; I think the title says it all. If you are offended by the title, this is probably not the movie for you. On the other hand, I always try to find some redeemable qualities in the movies I view, and this film made it difficult to find something positive.

This film is a sequel to 2010’s “Kick-Ass.” Many of the same characters return: Dave Lizewski, aka the title character Kick-Ass, Mindy Macready, aka foul mouthed Hit-Girl, and Chris D’Amico, formerly Dave’s friend and Red Mist, is now the vulgarly titled villain, the Motherf***r. New characters joining them are Colonel Stars and Stripes (played by Jim Carrey) and Dave/Kick-Ass’s new love interest, Night B***h. There are many other new superhero and villain wannabes thrown into the mix, and most of their names are just as uncouth as the others.

The plot this time revolves around Dave and Mindy trying to give up the superhero life. Unsuccessful in the attempt, Dave joins the Justice Forever team led by Colonel Stars and Stripes and made up of several new heroes. Chris D’Amico, formally good hero Red Mist, emerges as a new super-villain and forms his own team of villains. Because of this new group and their brutal acts, the police set out to arrest any costumed people. When the team of super-villains kidnap Dave, Mindy reemerges as Hit-Girl to save him. Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl reunite to take down the new villains and restore the good names of superheroes.

The inappropriate content in this film is too numerous to name. The violence is over-the-top and gratuitous, but done in a quick comic book like action style. There is hitting and kicking that draws blood, beatings, stabbing, shooting, throat slashing, bone breaking, electrocution, and an attempted rape. The sexual content is extreme, but the only nudity is a brief shot of two women topless. Teenagers have sex, though nothing graphic is shown, and discuss sex throughout the film. This film is also just as vulgarity laced as the first. There are around 50 f-words and at least 20 uses of other vulgar words.

There is not much redeemable material in this film. There are strong friendships and relationships and friendships tested by the trials they go through. Dave and Mindy stand up for each other but are not necessarily good role models. This film, like the first, lacks anyone who could be put forth as a positive role model for young adults. I remember enjoying the first film because I thought the violence and foul words coming from a young girl were funny. I hate to admit, but I enjoyed this film while I was watching it, as well, becoming submerged in the action. But as a more mature Christian, I would never want my children to watch either of these films and mimic the behavior presented. These movies are colorful, quick, and action packed, but there are many better and more positive superhero movies available today.

There are many Bible verses that apply to whether or not someone should view this type of film, but the one that kept springing to my mind was Proverb 4:23:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Putting violent images in our heads is not the best way to keep our hearts Christ-centered. As I said, if you like the action filled superhero movies, there are many better choices available with move positive characters.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme—additional instances not mentioned above—OMG (3), “Jesus Christ” (2), “Jesus” (2), “Oh Sweet J*s*s,” “For Chr*st sake,” “G*d-d*mn,” “Oh G*d” / Sex/Nudity: Extreme

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

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• Neutral
• Non-viewer comments