John Murphy

Generally I hate going to see films in theaters due to the cost of the tickets and munchies. Rarely do I feel I've seen a film in theaters once that didn't make me feel like I'd been ripped off, and rarely have I ever seen a film there twice. This is a film I'd go to see again. If you're a fan of comic book or superhero films, or just plain old violent action movies you should in theory love this. Be aware this isn't the typical example of either of those genres. It's rated R for a reason: Hit Girl. An 11 year old killing machine who fights while we listen to Joan Jett in the background. She steals every scene, and for good reason. She's the most over the top character in the film (possibly the most over the top I've seen in some time). Rarely have I heard an audience cheer for someone killing bad guys the way I did for her. I think the guy next to me said he was in love, much like one of the films characters did after watching her kneecap, throat slit, and headshot her way through a pack of bad guys. She is awesome incarnate. There are a few flaws (which admittedly may be intentional given that this is a satirical parody) that prevent me from giving this a 4.0, but they are inconsequential. I?m rating this on whether or not I think you?ll feel robbed if you see it in a theater. And no. I do not believe you will. Comic fans should pay special attention to Nicholas Cage?s brutally satirical parody of Adam West as Batman. It?s his best role in years. Well maybe. His movies have kind of sucked lately so I stopped watching them, but this is the early Nick Cage I liked in films. So it?s the best role I?ve seen him play in years. One of the great conceits of Batman (and other human level comic vigilantes) is that they let opponents live. This film tears that apart showing that basically you can?t afford to do that because in real life the first time you lost a fight you?d be dead or crippled. It?s called Kick #!@%*# because that?s what happens to the main character. A lot. A turning point in the film comes when he meets Hit Girl and Big Daddy (nothing Freudian there?) and realizes he?s in way over his head and has little more to offer the world than good intentions. I do hope the planned sequel materializes.

An under-appreciated Guy Ritchie caper movie on nearly the same level as Snatch. Great dialogue and diverse and talented cast.

Because this film is so similar to Richie's other fantastic film "Snatch" (it shares multiple actors, general locations and environment, production & directing style, etc.) - it's a hard decision which one I like more. Most people seem to go with whichever film they happen to see first as their favorite... But both are excellent, and full of memorable characters, outrageous dialogue and storylines. Watch it again (and again)!

This film is excellent in so many respects, and worth watching again and again simply for that reason. But the cockney and other accents, wild plot line and converging stories also mean that you'll start to understand & appreciate it more with subsequent viewings. Pitt and Farina are perfect big name additions to this mostly British cast - but all characters are memorable and make this film a classic.