This past weekend, we saw what very well may be the best comic book adaptation ever: "Kick−Ass" (2010). From the intense action sequences to the witty dialogue to the sharp commentary on comic books, the film really did kick ass. We feel it is our responsibility to recommend this film to our readers ... unless you are easily offended.
Parents and negative Nancies around the country are up in arms over the character of Hit−Girl. She, along with her father Big Daddy (played to perfection by Nic Cage), works to slice and dice New York's underbelly. Now, "Kick−Ass" certainly isn't the first film to feature femme fatales. After all, Uma Thurman hacked and slashed her way through hundreds of men in both volumes of "Kill Bill" (2003, 2004). The issue here is that the actress behind Hit Girl, Chloë Grace Moretz, was a mere 11 years old during filming. And she drops the C−word. Nope, not "cookies."
The public denunciation of "Kick−Ass" is best said in the words of Roger Ebert, who called the film "morally reprehensible." Many argue that Hit−Girl's action sequences numb adult viewers to the dangers of child abuse and have irreparably damaged the minds of innocent children.
This outcry isn't altogether surprising; there is a long history of supposed child exploitation in films. One of the first examples of this was the casting of 14−year−old Sue Lyon as the titular nymphet in Stanley Kubrick's "Lolita" (1962). Lolita's age was upped a few years to make the film a little less intense. In addition, the film chose to avoid the more lurid parts of Vladimir Nabokov's original book. Despite seeming comparatively tame, "Lolita" drew harsh criticism. The marketing team played off this controversy by posing the rhetorical question: "How did they ever make a movie of ‘Lolita?'" in successful trailers and posters.
Another notable example is Jodie Foster's Iris, a child prostitute in Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" (1973). Foster was merely 12 years old when she interacted with a psychopathic taxi driver played by Robert De Niro and an abusive pimp played by Harvey Keitel. Scorsese covered his tracks by replacing Foster with a body double (Foster's older sister) in certain (i.e. more sexually explicit) scenes.
Linda Blair was also considered for the role of Iris, but was turned down. At age 13, however, Blair went on to scare audiences with her role as the possessed girl in the "The Exorcist" (1973). Blair's character mutilates her own genitalia with a crucifix. So you can imagine how that went over … awkward turtle.
These films got heat for their casting; however, they have since gone down in history as great performances. As controversial as these roles were, the films were critical darlings and racked up plenty of nominations during awards season. In fact, Foster and Blair both received Supporting Actress nominations at the Oscars, and Lyons won a Golden Globe for "Most Promising Newcomer, Female." In a way, the inundation of fiercely positive reviews drowned out the ethical objections to casting.
"Kick−Ass" doesn't have the benefit of having a respected plot. Instead of deconstructing societal norms and sexuality like "Taxi Driver" and "Lolita," "Kick−Ass" satirizes comic book movies. It's a concept that doesn't take itself too seriously, and that is why the film failed to connect with square reviewers like Ebert. To us, Sue Lyon's sexually precocious Lolita and Chloë Grace Moretz's murderous Hit−Girl are more similar than not.
Nonetheless, we stand by our ruling. "Kick−Ass" did what it set out to do. If you go in expecting a wholesome superhero film like "Spider−Man" (2002), then yes, you will be offended. But, if you go in expecting an outrageous rip on the superheroes and America's fascination with violence and over−the−top action, then you will be blown away. Literally.
--
Zach Drucker is a sophomore majoring in International Relations, and Chris Poldoian is a sophomore majoring in Spanish. They can be reached at Zachary.Drucker@tufts.edu and Christopher.Poldoian@tufts.edu.
