Kick-Ass 2 Preview

An in-depth investigation into the hottest superhero movie of the Summer of Film 2013 and August's most anticipated motion picture.
In the case of Kick-Ass 2, I believe that the idea that second time's a charm is something that myself and a whole host of other eager fans are hoping will apply in a fortnight's time. Certainly, replicating the shock success and critical acclaim of 2010's hit cult comedy-drama Kick-Ass is no enviable task, and indeed matching and surpassing it would be a feat that would require a plethora of audacity and nerve on the part of the production team.

Nevertheless, if it's been done before so supremely, then perhaps there's no reason why it cannot be done again. With that in mind, here we've rounded up five crucial elements of this ambitious sequel's narrative and production that could make it a stellar entry in 2013's film roster yet. Pull out those batons, equip yourself with a suitably lame superhero name, and get ready for the hounds of hell to cry havoc as the ultimate battle for supremacy begins...

• LOSE THE GIRL, SAVE THE WORLD?- It would be oh-so-easy to assert that Dave Lizewski's life post-Kick-Ass would be full of accolades and fortunes, and yet this year's follow-up proves that such a reality is anything but the case. We know that Dave's girlfriend Katie is reduced here to a minor role, having parted ways with her former boyfriend due to the danger and pressure that his superhero alter-ego enables for their relationship. This leaves Dave and of course Mindy (Hit-Girl) in a situation whereby they're closer than ever both inside and outside of school, which is for the best, considering that as more costumed heroes join their cause, so too does an almighty army of riled super villains began to plan an all-out war on heroism.
• TAKE A BOW- We can't go any further without mentioning that once again, Kick-Ass 2 boasts one of the most impressive cast ensembles of recent times. Though Mark Strong and Nicholas Cage have naturally been removed from the list, as compensation we've acquired Jim Carrey into the mix, plus newfound stars Aaron Taylor Johnson (Anna Karenina, Savages), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad, Movie 43) and Chloe Grace Moretz (Let Me In, Hugo, Carrie) are all back in business as the trio of protagonists and antagonists Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Red Mist respectively. Red Mist has adopted a hilarious new persona this time around, but for fear of thrusting explicative language onto the blog, we'll leave the gut-wrenching reveal to the trailer below!
• WAIT UNTIL THEY GET A LOAD OF ME!- Red Mist's foreboding and confident assertion at the climax of Kick-Ass will have far more physical implications and manifestations within the next instalment. As you'll see in the final theatrical teaser, Red Mist recruits a new gang of villains to his cause at the head of a grand army awaiting a confrontation, including Mother Russia, Genghis Carnage and Black Death. Who knows what other hilarious puns on classic characters await us in the final piece? Discovering the answer will be just another addition to the menagerie of exciting elements awaiting us in the film itself...
• THE OTHER BATTLE OF NEW YORK- If you thought that the climactic battle of Avengers Assemble was impressive, then sufficed say that viewers truly haven't seen anything yet. Having read the original Kick-Ass 2 graphic novel, this writer can confirm with zestful anticipation that an altogether different Battle of New York will round off the follow-up in a few weeks' time, bringing hero against villain in a brutally realistic depiction of what havoc would ensue were superheroes to enter the real world.
• IT'S FAR FROM BEING OVER...As if all of those thrilling elements of Kick-Ass 2 weren't enough to justify its perusal of your hard-earned cash come mid-August, then one final lure should entice fans back to cinemas without a second thought. Writer Mark Millar has confirmed that his currently-drafting graphic novel Kick-Ass 3 will be adapted into a motion picture too, and given that Kick-Ass 2 climaxes in a cliffhanger in its original literary form, expect nothing less than to be left screaming at the screen, desperate for a resolution come the movie's end!

Kick-Ass 2 glides into cinemas worldwide (via jet-packs, naturally!) on August 14th.