To kick or not to kick, that is the question. Answer: better not.
First time around, the idea of a nerdy teenager dressing up as a flaky superhero and going out into the streets to be beaten senseless by bad guys was fun in bits. What made it work was Hit Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz), a preteen kung fu baby queen who took on the nasties and hospitalised them.
Second time around Hit Girl is grounded for more than half the film and forced to attend high school. Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has grown muscles and added to his team (Justice For Ever) a further group of wimps in costumes. Add to them Col Stars & Stripes (Jim Carrey) a born again ex-Mafia brutaliser and things take on a darker hue.
The evil one (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who calls himself an altogether unpleasant name, is another nerd in black leather with a gang of psychopaths, high on murderous intent. Suddenly it’s not funny anymore – it never was – and the film turns into a vicious, violent bloodfest.
PS: Ace Ventura, all is forgiven. Please come back.