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{{Short description|2010 superhero black comedy film}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Kick-Ass
| name = Kick-Ass
| image = Kick-Ass film poster.jpg
| image = Kick-Ass film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| alt = The foreground features the superhero Kick-Ass in his green and yellow costume. Against a black background the words KICK-ASS are written in yellow block capitals. <!-- Alternative description needed, [[WP:ALT]] -->
| alt = The foreground features the titular superhero, Kick-Ass, along side three other superheroes, against a black background with the film's title . <!-- Alternative description needed, [[WP:ALT]] -->
| director = [[Matthew Vaughn]]
| director = [[Matthew Vaughn]]
| producer = {{ubl|Matthew Vaughn|[[Brad Pitt]]|Kris Thykier|Adam Bohling|Tarquin Pack|David Reid}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Matthew Vaughn
* [[Brad Pitt]]
* Kris Thykier
* [[Adam Bohling]]
* Tarquin Pack
* David Reid
}}
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
| writer = {{ubl|Matthew Vaughn|[[Jane Goldman]]|[[Mark Millar]] {{small|(Comic book)}}|[[John Romita, Jr.]] {{small|(Comic book illustrator)}}}}
* [[Jane Goldman]]
| narrator = [[Aaron Johnson (actor)|Aaron Johnson]]
* Matthew Vaughn
| starring = {{ubl|Aaron Johnson|[[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]]|[[Chloë Moretz|Chloë Grace Moretz]]|[[Nicolas Cage]]|[[Mark Strong]]}}
}}
| music = {{ubl|[[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]]|[[Henry Pryce Jackman]]|[[Marius de Vries]]|[[Ilan Eshkeri]]}}
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Kick-Ass (comic book)|Kick-Ass]]''{{efn|name=BookOne}}|[[Mark Millar]]|[[John Romita Jr.]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Aaron Taylor-Johnson|Aaron Johnson<!--- Please read [[Template:Infobox film#Credits]] before changing this --->]]
* [[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]]
* [[Chloë Grace Moretz]]
* [[Mark Strong]]
* [[Nicolas Cage]]
}}
| music = {{Plainlist|
* [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]]
* [[Henry Jackman]]
* [[Marius de Vries]]
* [[Ilan Eshkeri]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Ben Davis (cinematographer)|Ben Davis]]
| cinematography = [[Ben Davis (cinematographer)|Ben Davis]]
| editing = {{ubl|[[Pietro Scalia]]|[[Jon Harris]]|Eddie Hamilton}}
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* [[Pietro Scalia]]
| studio = {{ubl|[[Marv Films]]|[[Plan B Entertainment]]}}
* [[Jon Harris (director)|Jon Harris]]
| distributor = {{ubl|[[Universal Studios|Universal Pictures]]|[[Lions Gate Entertainment|Lionsgate]]}}
* [[Eddie Hamilton]]
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2010|03|26|United Kingdom|2010|4|16|United States}}
}}
| runtime = 117 minutes<ref name="bbfc" /><!-- UK BBFC 117m 12s --> <!-- US DVD runtime: 117:41 -->
| country = {{ubl|{{FilmUK}}|{{FilmUS}}}}
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[Marv Films]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/66519-KICK-ASS?sid=640ff570-9367-4297-b04b-f8e8067de140&sr=12.363004&cp=1&pos=0|title=Kick-Ass|work=[[American Film Institute]]|access-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Plan B Entertainment]]<ref name=afi/>
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]]<ref name=afi/> (United States)
* [[Focus Features|Focus Features International]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus Features Int'l nabs 'Kick-Ass'|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Ali|last=Jaafar|date=19 November 2009|access-date=17 November 2021|url=https://variety.com/2009/biz/news/focus-features-intl-nabs-kick-ass-1118011596/}}</ref> (Uncredited; select territories; through [[Universal Pictures]])
}}
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2010|03|12|[[South by Southwest|SXSW]]|2010|03|26|United Kingdom|2010|04|16|United States}}
| runtime = 118 minutes<ref name="bbfc" />
| country = United Kingdom<br />United States<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/844934|work=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=10 November 2012|title=Kick-Ass|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820052132/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/844934|archive-date=20 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $28–30 million<ref name="the-numbers" /><ref name="mojo">{{cite web| title = Kick Ass (2010)| url = https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=kickass.htm | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | publisher = Amazon.com | access-date = 26 November 2013}}</ref>
| budget = $28 million<!-- NOTE: Vaughn specifies USD$28 exactly, at about 14 minutes --><ref name="vaughn-interview" /><ref name="the-numbers" /><!-- early estimate was $30 million --><ref name="hr20080805" />
| gross = $96,100,206<ref name="mojo" />
| gross = $96.2 million<ref name="mojo" />
}}
}}
'''''Kick-Ass''''' is a 2010 [[superhero]] [[Thriller (genre)|action thriller]]/[[Black comedy|comedy]] based on the [[Kick-Ass (comics)|comic book of the same name]] by [[Mark Millar]] and [[John Romita, Jr]]. The film was directed by [[Matthew Vaughn]], who co-produced the film with actor [[Brad Pitt]], and co-wrote the screenplay with [[Jane Goldman]]. The film's general release was on 26 March 2010 in the United Kingdom and on 16 April 2010 in the United States.


'''''Kick-Ass''''' is a 2010 [[superhero film|superhero]] [[black comedy film]] directed by [[Matthew Vaughn]] from a screenplay by [[Jane Goldman]] and Vaughn. It is based on the [[Marvel Comics]]'s [[Kick-Ass (comic book)|comic book of the same name]]{{efn|name=BookOne|Later retitled to ''Book One'' of ''Kick-Ass: The Dave Lizewski Years''}} by [[Mark Millar]] and [[John Romita Jr.|John Romita Jr]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/v468124|title=Kick-Ass (2010) - Matthew Vaughn {{!}} Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related|website=[[AllMovie]]|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-14}}</ref> and is the first film in the [[Kick-Ass (franchise)|''Kick-Ass'' franchise]].
The film tells the story of an ordinary teenager, Dave, who sets out to become a real-life superhero calling himself "Kick-Ass". Dave gets caught up in a bigger fight when he meets Big Daddy, a former cop who, in his quest to bring down the evil drug lord Frank D'Amico, has trained his 10-year-old daughter to be the ruthless [[vigilante]] Hit-Girl.


It tells the story of an ordinary teenager, [[Kick-Ass (character)|Dave Lizewski]] ([[Aaron Taylor-Johnson|Aaron Johnson]]), who sets out to become a [[real-life superhero]], calling himself "Kick-Ass". Dave gets caught up in a bigger fight when he meets Big Daddy ([[Nicolas Cage]]), a former cop who, in his quest to bring down the crime boss Frank D'Amico ([[Mark Strong]]) and his son Red Mist ([[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]]), has trained his eleven-year-old daughter ([[Chloë Grace Moretz]]) to be the ruthless vigilante [[Hit-Girl]].
''Kick-Ass'' has generated some controversy for its profanity and violence, particularly for the character Hit-Girl. The film received mostly positive reviews.<!-- NOTE: Intro summarizes article. There is no need to repeat the citations again here so long as they are verifiable in the article. See [[Wikipedia:LEAD#Citations]] -->


<!-- NOTE: Intro summarizes article. There is no need to repeat the citations again here so long as they are verifiable in the article. See [[Wikipedia:LEAD#Citations]] -->
== Plot ==
The film was released in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2010, by [[Universal Pictures]], and in the United States on 16 April, by [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]]. Despite having generated some controversy for its profanity and strong violence performed by a child, ''Kick-Ass'' was well received by both critics and audiences. In 2011 it won the [[Empire Award]] for [[Empire Award for Best British Film|Best British Film]]. The film has gained a large [[cult following]] since its release on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]].


[[Kick-Ass 2 (film)|A sequel]], written and directed by [[Jeff Wadlow]] and produced by Vaughn, was released in August 2013, with Johnson, Mintz-Plasse, and Moretz reprising their roles. In January 2024, Vaughn announced that a third film, titled ''[[Stuntnuts Does School Fight]]'' and directed by [[Damien Walters]], had secretly been greenlit, cast, and had completed filming.<ref name="Future_Collider" />
Dave Lizewski ([[Aaron Johnson (actor)|Aaron Johnson]]) is a normal teenager who wonders why nobody has ever decided to become a [[superhero]] like the ones in the [[comic books]], so he decides to become a [[real-life superhero]], despite having no [[Superpower (ability)|superpowers]] or training. During his first attempt to fight crime, Dave is beaten, stabbed, and hit by a car. Some of Dave's nerve endings are damaged as a result, giving him an enhanced capacity to endure pain, and metal plates are placed in his skeleton to support his bones. After a painful recovery, Dave returns to school only to find out that his longtime crush, Katie Deauxma ([[Lyndsy Fonseca]]), is interested in him, but only because she thinks he is [[homosexuality|gay]]. Dave goes along with this in an effort to spend time with her.


==Plot==
Undeterred by his setback, Dave continues to patrol the streets. One night, he comes upon a gang fight and defends the single victim from his attackers. A bystander records the event, as well as Dave calling himself "Kick-Ass". The video becomes a [[YouTube]] phenomenon, and Dave sets up a [[MySpace]] account so people can contact Kick-Ass.
[[Kick-Ass (character)|Dave Lizewski]] is an ordinary teenager who lives in [[Staten Island, New York]]. Inspired by comic books, Dave plans to become a real-life superhero. He purchases and modifies a scuba diving suit and arms himself with batons. During his first outing, he gets stabbed and hit by a car. After recovering, he gains a capacity to endure pain and enhanced durability due to having some bones replaced with metal. In his absence from school, a rumor spreads that he is gay. As a result, his longtime crush, Katie Deauxma, immediately attempts to become his friend. Unhappy with the misunderstanding, Dave nevertheless appreciates the opportunity to get closer to Katie.


Dave returns to crime-fighting and gains notoriety after saving a man from a gang attack. Calling himself "Kick-Ass", he sets up a [[Myspace]] account where he can be contacted for help. Responding to a request from Katie, he confronts a drug dealer, Rasul, who has been harassing her. At Rasul's place, Kick-Ass is quickly overwhelmed by Rasul's thugs. Before they can kill him, two costumed vigilantes, [[Hit-Girl]] and her father, Big Daddy, intervene, easily slaughter the thugs and leave with their money. After coming home, Dave realizes he is in over his head and plans to give up crime-fighting. However, Hit-Girl and Big Daddy pay him a visit and encourage him.
Katie tells Dave that she is being harassed by a drug dealer, so he convinces her to ask Kick-Ass for help. Kick-Ass tracks down the drug dealer to deliver a warning, he threatens the drug dealer, [[taser]]s him, but is subdued by the dealer's henchmen, who appear intent on killing him. He is rescued by child costumed vigilante Hit-Girl ([[Chloë Moretz|Chloë Grace Moretz]]), who kills his attackers and then leaves with her father, Big Daddy ([[Nicolas Cage]]). They later easily track down Kick-Ass, and inform him that they can work together, and they will keep in contact.


Big Daddy's real identity is Damon Macready, formerly an honest cop. Framed by Mafia boss Frank D'Amico, he was jailed. His wife committed suicide, leaving behind his daughter, Mindy. Against the protest of his former partner Marcus Williams, Damon trains himself and Mindy in preparation for getting revenge on Frank. They have been undermining Frank's operations by raiding his warehouses, robbing his money and destroying his drugs. Frank believes Kick-Ass is responsible for the attacks and targets him, though he mistakenly kills a party entertainer who is dressed like Kick-Ass. Frank's son Chris suggests a different approach and poses himself as a new vigilante named "Red Mist" and befriends Kick-Ass.
Big Daddy is revealed to be Damon Macready, a former cop who was framed by local crime syndicate leader Frank D'Amico ([[Mark Strong]]) because D'Amico saw him as a threat to his organization and framed him as a drug dealer. While Damon was in prison, his wife overdosed on sleeping pills and died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Mindy. After his release, Damon trained Mindy to fight crime as Hit-Girl and he became Big Daddy.


Chris plans to lure Kick-Ass into Frank's lumber warehouse and unmask him. However, they find the warehouse on fire and Frank's men dead. Red Mist retrieves a hidden camera he earlier placed in the warehouse, and he sees recorded footage of Big Daddy killing the men and burning the warehouse. Red Mist and Kick-Ass part ways. Frank watches the footage and learns of Big Daddy. Following the event, Dave decides to quit being Kick-Ass. He reveals his identity to Katie and clears up the misunderstanding about him being gay. She forgives him and becomes his girlfriend. However, Red Mist contacts him again and tricks him into revealing Big Daddy and Hit-Girl's location.
Believing Kick-Ass to be responsible for damage done to his organization, D'Amico orders his men to find and eliminate him. After D'Amico kills an imposter dressed as Kick-Ass, his nerdy son, Chris ([[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]]), suggests a different approach. Chris will pose as a superhero named Red Mist to trick Kick-Ass into trusting him, and lead him into a trap. Red Mist meets Kick-Ass, bringing him to D'Amico's warehouse to "ambush" his men. Instead, they find the building on fire with everyone inside dead. Red Mist retrieves surveillance footage which shows that Big Daddy is responsible.


Realizing the seriousness of his situation, Dave wants to quit being Kick-Ass. He tells Katie the truth, and she understands and eventually becomes his girlfriend. Some time later, Dave finds urgent messages from Red Mist, requesting they meet, and to find Hit-Girl and Big Daddy. Kick-Ass leads Red Mist to one of the Macready's safe houses, with D'Amico's men following. Red Mist shoots Hit-Girl, knocking her out of a window. Big Daddy and Kick-Ass are captured and taken to a warehouse to be beat and tortured in a live Internet broadcast. Kick-Ass and Big Daddy are severely beaten, and Big Daddy is set on fire, when Hit-Girl, who survived by wearing a bulletproof vest, arrives and kills the gangsters, and destroys the camera trying to film the unmasking of Kick-Ass and Big Daddy. However, Big Daddy is badly burned and dies from his injuries. Kick-Ass tries to convince Hit-Girl to quit, but she plans to finish what her father had started, and Kick-Ass reluctantly agrees to help.
At one of Big Daddy's safe houses, Red Mist shoots Hit-Girl out of a window, and Frank's men capture Big Daddy and Kick-Ass. Frank intends to have his thugs torture and execute his captives in a live Internet broadcast, despite Chris's protests to let Kick-Ass go. While Kick-Ass and Big Daddy are being beaten by Frank's gangsters, Hit-Girl, having survived the shooting, storms the hideout and kills all the gangsters. During the fight, one thug sets Big Daddy on fire. Big Daddy and Mindy say a tearful farewell before he dies of his burns. Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl resolve to defeat Frank once and for all. Hit-Girl infiltrates Frank's headquarters and kills numerous guards and henchmen before running out of bullets.


Posing as a schoolgirl, Mindy enters D'Amico's headquarters and kills most of the henchmen in the penthouse, but runs out of ammunition. Just as one of D'Amico's thugs is about to shoot her with a [[Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon|rocket launcher]] stolen from Macready's safe house, Kick-Ass, armed with a [[jet pack]] fitted with [[gatling gun]]s that Big Daddy had purchased prior to his death, kills the remaining men. He then takes on Red Mist and they knock each other out. Hit-Girl fights D'Amico, but she is eventually overpowered by him. As D'Amico is about to finish off Hit-Girl, a revived Kick-Ass fires the rocket launcher, blasting D'Amico out of the window where he explodes in mid-air. Red Mist comes around to find Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl leaving on the jet pack.
When Hit-Girl is cornered by the thugs, Kick-Ass arrives on a jet pack fitted with miniguns and kills the remaining thugs. Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl then take on Frank and Red Mist. Kick-Ass fights Red Mist, which results in them knocking each other out. Frank overpowers an exhausted Hit-Girl. Before he can kill her, Kick-Ass regains consciousness and blasts Frank out of the window with a bazooka, killing him. Red Mist then regains consciousness, grabs his father's samurai sword, and pursues Kick-Ass in order to continue their fight just in time to see Kick-Ass and Hit Girl fly away on the jet pack.


Hit-Girl and Kick-Ass retire from crime fighting to live a more normal life. Mindy, now in the custody of Damon's ex-partner Sergeant Marcus Williams, enrolls at Dave's school. Dave explains a new wave of superheroes have been inspired by his endeavor. In the final shot, Red Mist, having taken over his father's business, dons a new mask and declares war on the new hero population quoting the [[Joker (comics)|Joker]], "as a great man once said, 'Wait'll they get a load of me'".
Dave and Mindy retire from crime-fighting; Marcus becomes Mindy's guardian again, and she enrolls at Dave's school. Meanwhile, Chris sits in his father's office, dressed in an upgraded suit, preparing to seek revenge on Kick-Ass for killing his father. Facing the camera, he says, "As a [[Joker (Jack Napier)|great man]] once said, 'Wait'll they get a load of me'", before firing a gun at the screen.


== Cast ==
==Cast==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Aaron Johnson (actor)|Aaron Johnson]] as Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass.
* [[Aaron Taylor-Johnson|Aaron Johnson]] as [[Kick-Ass (character)|Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass]], a high school geek who seeks to be a superhero
* [[Nicolas Cage]] as Damon Macready/Big Daddy. Brad Pitt, the film's producer, was considered for the role. Vaughn described Cage's performance as a little bit [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]] and a little bit [[Adam West]]. A character in the film even says his costume looks like that of [[Batman]].<!-- from about 2 minutes in --><ref name="vaughn-interview">{{cite video
* [[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]] as Chris D’Amico / Red Mist, son of crime boss Frank D'Amico
| people = [[Jonathan Ross]], [[Matthew Vaughn]]
* [[Chloë Grace Moretz]] as [[Hit-Girl|Mindy Macready / Hit-Girl]], daughter of Big Daddy, raised as a vigilante since birth
| title = Jonathan Ross interviews Matthew Vaughn
* [[Mark Strong]] as Frank D’Amico, a New York mafioso with the city in his grip
| url = http://timesonline.typepad.com/blockbuster_buzz/2010/03/kick-ass-video-chat-embed.html
* [[Nicolas Cage]] as Damon Macready / Big Daddy, an ex-cop turned vigilante seeking payback against Frank D'Amico for destroying his family
}}
* [[Lyndsy Fonseca]] as Katie Deauxma, Dave Lizewski's girlfriend
(Video){{Dead link|date=August 2010}}
* [[Clark Duke]] as Marty Eisenberg, Dave Lizewski's friend
</ref>
* [[Evan Peters]] as Todd Haynes, Dave Lizewski's friend
* [[Chloë Moretz|Chloë Grace Moretz]] as Mindy Macready/Hit-Girl. Vaughn commented on the maturity of Moretz, who said that because she has four older brothers, she was no stranger to much of the language in the script.<!-- time offset 10:50 --><ref name="vaughn-interview" /><!-- 4 brothers --><ref name="mtv-moretz" />
* [[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]] as Chris D'Amico/Red Mist, Frank D'Amico's son.
* [[Sophie Wu]] as Erika Cho, Katie's friend
* [[Omari Hardwick]] as Sergeant Marcus Williams, Macready's former partner
* [[Mark Strong]] as Frank D'Amico, head of a criminal organization.
* [[Lyndsy Fonseca]] as Katie Deauxma
* Stu Riley as Huge Goon
* [[Michael Rispoli]] as Big Joe
* [[Michael Rispoli]] as Big Joe, Frank D'Amico's enforcer
* [[Yancy Butler]] as Angie D'Amico
* [[Jason Flemyng]] as Lobby Goon, the building doorman
* [[Elizabeth McGovern]] as Mrs. Lizewski
* Garrett M. Brown as Mr. Lizewski
* [[Sophie Wu]] as Erica Cho
* [[Dexter Fletcher]] as Cody
* [[Dexter Fletcher]] as Cody
* [[Clark Duke]] as Marty
* [[Jason Flemyng]] as Lobby Goon
* [[Xander Berkeley]] as Detective Gigante, NYPD Sergeant on D'Amico's payroll
* [[Evan Peters]] as Todd
* Kofi Natei as Rasul, a drug dealer who was causing problems for Katie
* [[Xander Berkeley]] as Detective Gigante, police officer working for D'Amico
* [[Corey Johnson (actor)|Corey Johnson]] as Sporty Goon
* [[Omari Hardwick]] as Sergeant Marcus Williams, former partner of Damon Macready
* [[Adrian Martinez (actor)|Adrian Martinez]] as Ginger Goon
* Stu 'Large' Riley as Huge Goon, a bodyguard to the D'Amico family.<!-- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250777/fullcredits#cast -->
* Katrena Rochell as Female Junkie
* [[Craig Ferguson]] as Himself
* [[Randall Batinkoff]] as Tre Fernandez
* [[Tim Plester]] as Danil
* Omar Soriano as Leroy
* [[Garrett M. Brown]] as Mr. Lizewski, David's father
* [[Elizabeth McGovern]] as Mrs. Lizewski, David's deceased mother
* [[Yancy Butler]] as Angie D'Amico, Frank D'Amico's wife
* [[Deborah Twiss]] as Mrs. Zane
* [[Craig Ferguson]] as himself
{{div col end}}
Series-creator Millar, a native of [[Scotland]], asked Scottish television children's-show host [[Glen Michael]] to make a [[cameo appearance]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/ayr-news/2008/10/10/from-ayrshire-to-hollywood-for-cavalcade-legend-102545-21986750/ |title=From Ayrshire to Hollywood for Cavalcade legend |last=Lawrence |first=Edwin |date=10 October 2008 |newspaper=[[Ayrshire Post]] |access-date=16 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218202803/http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/ayr-news/2008/10/10/from-ayrshire-to-hollywood-for-cavalcade-legend-102545-21986750/ |archive-date=18 December 2008 }}</ref> although his role was cut from the film.<ref name="dailyrecord">{{cite news|date=22 March 2010 |first=Rick |last=Fulton |title=Cartoon Cavalcade legend Glen Michael's cameo role is cut from new movie Kick-Ass |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/03/22/cartoon-cavalcade-legend-glen-michael-s-cameo-role-is-cut-from-new-movie-kick-ass-86908-22130118/ |newspaper=The Daily Record |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324223316/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/03/22/cartoon-cavalcade-legend-glen-michael-s-cameo-role-is-cut-from-new-movie-kick-ass-86908-22130118/ |archive-date=24 March 2010 }}</ref> Millar was also set to make a cameo as a Scottish alcoholic but the scene was cut from the film.<ref name="mtv-5things">{{cite web|date=16 April 2010|first=Eric|last=Ditzian|title='Kick-Ass': Five Things You Need To Know|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1637258/20100416/story.jhtml|publisher=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124223100/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1637258/kickass-five-things-need-know.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 January 2011}}</ref> [[WCBS-TV]] news reporters [[Maurice DuBois]], [[Dana Tyler]], and Lou Young make [[cameo appearance]]s along with [[Marvel Comics]] creator [[Stan Lee]].


An image of [[Matthew Vaughn]]'s wife, model [[Claudia Schiffer]], appears prominently on a billboard poster.<ref>[http://io9.com/5519261/important-easter-eggs-to-look-for-while-watching-kick+ass Important Easter Eggs To Look For While Watching Kick-Ass] [[Gawker Media]]</ref><ref name="ObserverFrench">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/apr/04/kickass-film-review|title=Kick-Ass|newspaper=[[The Observer]]|date=4 April 2010|access-date=1 July 2011|first=Philip|last=French|location=UK}}</ref> [[John Romita Jr.]] appears without his face being shown: "I was a barista. ... [T]hey asked me to look at the camera, then turn and turn the television on with a remote control. And then they edited out my face! I laughed and laughed — I was the only authentic New Yorker in the scene and they edited out my face for not looking authentic enough! Then the producer, Tarquin Pack ... changed my first name to Tony: Tony Romita. 'Why'd you do that?' I asked. 'Well, "Johnny Romita" wasn't tough enough.'"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3id503dcc818cb6cb4a633b700c6ca1d2a|title=Drawing power: 'Kick-Ass' co-creator John Romita, Jr. on the comics-movie connection|work=[[Film Journal International]]|date=13 August 2013|first=Frank |last=Lovece| author-link=Frank Lovece|archive-date=27 October 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131027010952/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3id503dcc818cb6cb4a633b700c6ca1d2a|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Series-creator Millar, a native of [[Scotland]], asked Scottish television children's-show host [[Glen Michael]] to make a [[cameo appearance]]<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/ayr-news/2008/10/10/from-ayrshire-to-hollywood-for-cavalcade-legend-102545-21986750/ | title = "From Ayrshire to Hollywood for Cavalcade legend" | last = Lawrence | first = Edwin | date= 10 October 2008 | newspaper = [[Ayrshire Post]] |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> although his role was cut from the film.<ref name="dailyrecord">{{cite news
| date = 2010-03-22
| author = Rick Fulton
| title = Cartoon Cavalcade legend Glen Michael's cameo role is cut from new movie Kick-Ass
| url = http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/03/22/cartoon-cavalcade-legend-glen-michael-s-cameo-role-is-cut-from-new-movie-kick-ass-86908-22130118/
| newspaper = The Daily Record
}}
</ref>
[[WCBS-TV]] news reporters [[Maurice DuBois]], [[Dana Tyler]], and Lou Young make [[cameo appearance]]s.


== Development ==
==Production==
{{Anchors|Production|Development}}
===Development===
{{Anchor|Production|Development}}
The rights to a film version of the comic book were sold before the first issue was published.<ref><!-- Cite comic --> See notes by Millar in the comic. Issues 3. Quote: "As you read these words in early June, an official announcement should have been made on the movie, too, with the director name and a 2009 release date inked into the cinema schedule."</ref>
The rights to a film version of the first volume of the comic book series were sold before the first issue was published.<ref><!-- Cite comic --> See notes by Millar in ''Kick-Ass'' #3: "As you read these words in early June, an official announcement should have been made on the movie, too, with the director name and a 2009 release date inked into the cinema schedule."</ref> Developed in parallel, the film writers took a different story direction, to reach many of the same conclusions. Comic book writer [[Mark Millar]] acknowledges the differences, explaining that a comic usually has eight acts, while a film usually has a three-act structure.<ref name="Millarmoviefreak">{{cite web| date = 2 August 2009| last = Fetters| first = Sara Michelle| url = http://www.moviefreak.com/artman/publish/interviews_markmillar.shtml| title = Mark Millar Kicks ''Ass'' and Writes Comics| publisher = Moviefreak.com| access-date = 21 January 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714122241/http://www.moviefreak.com/artman/publish/interviews_markmillar.shtml| archive-date = 14 July 2011| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Millar initially considered having ''[[American Jesus (comics)|American Jesus]]'' adapted and communicated to Matthew Vaughn about that concept, but Vaughn switched to ''Kick Ass'' after Millar mentioned it and sent some materials to Vaughn.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Couch|first1=Aaron|last2=Burton|first2=Byron|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/why-kick-ass-was-movie-no-studio-would-touch-1290480/|title="No Studio Would Touch It:" The Big Gamble Behind 'Kick-Ass'|work=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=2020-04-16|accessdate=2022-10-30}}</ref>


{{Anchors|Writing}}
{{Anchor|Writing}}
Vaughn notes that, "We wrote the script and the comic at the same time so it was a very sort of collaborative, organic process. I met [Millar] at the premiere of ''[[Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust]]''. We got on really well. I knew who he was and what he had done but I didn't know him. He pitched me the idea. I said, 'That’s great!' He then wrote a synopsis. I went, 'That’s great, let’s go do it now! You write the comic, I’ll write the script.'"<ref name="cbrmv">{{cite web
Vaughn said that, "We wrote the script and the comic at the same time so it was a very sort of collaborative, organic process. I met [Millar] at the premiere of ''[[Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust]]''. We got on really well. I knew who he was and what he had done but I didn't know him. He pitched me the idea. I said, 'That's great!' He then wrote a synopsis. I went, 'That's great, let's go do it now! You write the comic, I'll write the script.{{' "}}<ref name="cbrmv">{{cite web | date = 24 August 2009| last = Philbrick | first = Jami| title = Vaughn & Goldman talk 'KICK-ASS'| url = http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22657| website=[[Comic Book Resources]]| access-date =29 March 2010 }}</ref> [[Jane Goldman]], one of the screenwriters, said that when she works with Vaughn she does the "construction work" and the "interior designing" while Vaughn acts as the "architect."<ref>{{cite news| date = 16 April 2010| last = Kennedy | first = Lisa| url = http://www.denverpost.com/entertainmentlastold/ci_14884689| title = The fan-girl behind comic adaptation's Hit Girl|work=Denver Post| access-date =24 January 2011}}</ref>
| date = 2009-08-24
| last = Philbrick | first = Jami
| title = Vaughn & Goldman talk "KICK-ASS"
| url = http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22657
| publisher = Comicbook Resources
| accessdate = 2010-03-29
}}
</ref>
{{rquote|right|With ''Kick-Ass'', the book's just out and now the movie's out six weeks later. And I think that's the way things are going to go now, because to go to [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s [[A-list|B and C-list]] characters and try to get movies out them – what's the point of that?|[[Mark Millar]]<ref>{{cite news | title = Kick-Ass changes comic book films forever in a single blow | date = 29 March 2010 | publisher = [[The Guardian]] | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/mar/26/kick-ass-comics-film-adaptations | author = Ben Child| accessdate = 2010-04-10 | location=London}}</ref>}}
The comic was written at the same time as the script. Millar commented that screenwriters Jane Goldman and Vaughn had made a "[[chick flick]]",<!-- at about 8 minutes --> having placed more emphasis on the character emotions, and particularly in having softened the character of Katie Deauxma.<ref name="vaughn-interview" /> Other changes included having Red Mist be known to be a secret antagonist from the start, as well as making him less outright villainous, and D'Amico's mob initially thinking Kick-Ass is the one slaughtering their men.


{{quote box|align=right|width=33%|quote = With ''Kick-Ass'', the book's just out and now the movie's out six weeks later. And I think that's the way things are going to go now, because to go to [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s [[A-list|B and C-list]] characters and try to get movies out [of] them; what's the point of that?|source= —[[Mark Millar]]<ref>{{cite news| title = Kick-Ass changes comic book films forever in a single blow| date = 29 March 2010|work=The Guardian |location=UK | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/mar/26/kick-ass-comics-film-adaptations| first= Ben| last = Child| access-date =10 April 2010| archive-date = 18 April 2010| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100418175505/http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/mar/26/kick-ass-comics-film-adaptations}}</ref>}}
In the [[Kick-Ass (comics)|original comic-book]], Big Daddy was revealed to be not an ex-cop, but a former accountant who had been motivated to fight crime by a desire to escape from his life and by his love of comic books. In the film, his purported origin and motivations are genuine: writer [[Mark Millar]] considers that the revelation about Big Daddy's background would not have worked in the film adaptation, and would have "messed up the structure of the movie"<ref>[http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/writer-mark-millar-on-kick-ass-99655 Writer Mark Millar on 'Kick Ass'], ''craveonline.com''</ref> The comic's artist [[John Romita, Jr]] stated that Big Daddy's story in the film "works better stopping short (...) You love him better in the film".<ref>[http://efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=3008 KICK-ASS Interview: John Romita, Jr. (Part I of V)], ''efilmcritic.com''</ref>


Millar said that screenwriters Goldman and Vaughn had made a "[[chick flick]]",<!-- at about 8 minutes --> having placed more emphasis on the character emotions and particularly in having softened the character of Katie Deauxma.<ref name="vaughn-interview">{{cite video|people=[[Jonathan Ross]], [[Matthew Vaughn]]|title=Jonathan Ross interviews Matthew Vaughn|url=http://timesonline.typepad.com/blockbuster_buzz/2010/03/kick-ass-video-chat-embed.html|work=Times Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326112230/http://timesonline.typepad.com/blockbuster_buzz/2010/03/kick-ass-video-chat-embed.html|archive-date=26 March 2010}}(Video)</ref> Millar stated that a film audience would have difficulty accepting Dave and Katie not being together, while a comic audience would more easily accept that idea.<ref name="Millarmoviefreak" /> Frank Lovece of ''[[Film Journal International]]'' said that Katie is "much less ''[[Mean Girls]]''" in the film than in the comic and that the romance between Dave and Katie "proves a needed counterbalance to the otherwise pervasive sense of optimism being stripped away layer by layer, down below angry [[Cynicism (contemporary)|cynicism]] and headed straight down the hole to [[nihilism]]".<ref name="Lovece">{{cite web|last=Lovece|first=Frank|date=5 April 2010|title=Film Review: 'Kick-Ass'|url=http://fj.webedia.us/content/film-review-kick-ass|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190614170824/http://fj.webedia.us/content/film-review-kick-ass|archive-date=14 June 2019|access-date=14 June 2019|work=Film Journal International}}</ref> Kenneth Turan of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said "the romance provides an appealing backdrop that the more unnerving aspects of the film play out against."<ref>{{cite news| date = 16 April 2010| last = Turan| first = Kenneth| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-16-la-et--kickass-20100416-story.html | title = Movie review: 'Kick-Ass'|work=Los Angeles Times| quote = ... the romance provides an appealing backdrop that the more unnerving aspects of the film play out against.}}</ref> Other changes included having Red Mist be known to be a secret antagonist from the start, as well as making him less outright villainous, and D'Amico's mob initially thinking Kick-Ass is the one slaughtering their men.
The climax to the film differs significantly from the comics as well, with the use of the jetpack and bazooka: Millar called this "necessary" as "we’re building up so much stuff that we needed some Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star moment". <ref>[http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/writer-mark-millar-on-kick-ass-99655 Writer Mark Millar on 'Kick Ass'], ''craveonline.com''</ref> Comic writer Stephen Grant noted that the film "cheated" on its premise of a 'real life' superhero by having these increasingly fantastic events and that this was "why it works. That's where much of the humor comes from... when the film finally makes the notion [the fantasy] ''explicit'' we're already so deep into the magician's act that our instinct is to play along". <ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25751 Permanent Damage review of the film]</ref>


[[File:4.25.13MarkMillarByLuigiNovi34.jpg|thumb|Creator [[Mark Millar]] signing posters for the movie and copies of the comics sequel, ''Kick-Ass 2'', during an appearance at [[Midtown Comics]] in Manhattan.]]
In the [[Kick-Ass (comic book)|original comic-book]], Big Daddy is characterised not as an ex-cop, but as a former accountant who had been motivated to fight crime by a desire to escape from his life and by his love of comic books. In the film, his purported origin and motivations are genuine: writer Mark Millar stated that the revelation about Big Daddy's background would not have worked in the film adaptation and "would have ruined the movie."<ref name="crave">{{cite web | url = http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/writer-mark-millar-on-kick-ass-99655 | first = Ahmad T. | last = Childress | date = 5 April 2010 | title = Writer Mark Millar on 'Kick Ass' | work =[[CraveOnline]] | access-date = 17 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100610091134/http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/writer-mark-millar-on-kick-ass-99655 | archive-date = 10 June 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref>


The comic's artist, John Romita, Jr., stated that Big Daddy's story in the film "works better stopping short ... You love him better in the film".<ref>{{cite web| date = 13 April 2010| first= Mel | last= Valentin| url = http://efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=3008| title = KICK-ASS Interview: John Romita, Jr. (Part I of V)| work=eFilmCritic.com}}</ref>
{{Anchors|Themes}}
Both the comic and the film reference popular contemporary web sites. Kick-Ass buys his costume on auction site [[eBay]]; the video of his fight is posted on [[YouTube]]; and he keeps in contact with his fans through social networking website [[MySpace]]. D'Amico even threatens to expose Detective Gigante by posting incriminating photos of him on [[Facebook]].


The climax to the film differs significantly from the comics, with the use of the jetpack and rocket launcher: Millar called this "necessary" as "we're building up so much stuff that we needed some [[Luke Skywalker]] blowing up the [[Death Star]] moment".<ref name="crave" /> Comic writer Stephen Grant argued that the film "cheated" on its premise of a "real life" superhero by having these increasingly fantastic events and that this is "why it works. That's where much of the humor comes from ... when the film finally makes the notion [the fantasy] ''explicit'' we're already so deep into the magician's act that our instinct is to play along".<ref>{{cite web | date = 15 April 2010 | first = Steven |last = Grant | title = Permanent Damage review of the film | url = http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25751 | work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>
The film was independently financed. Vaughn initially went to [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony]], which distributed ''[[Layer Cake (film)|Layer Cake]]'', but he rejected calls to tone down the violence. Other studios expressed interest but wanted to make the characters older.
Vaughn believed enough in the project to raise the money himself.<ref name="hr20080805">{{cite news
| date = 2008-08-15
| author = Borys Kit
| title = Matthew Vaughn ready to 'Kick-Ass'
| work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]]
| url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ide19bac7b91209a2e58975952de2e797
| quote = Vaughn, however, is such a believer in the project that he raised the money for the $30 million indie project himself.
}}
</ref>


Vaughn initially went to [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony]], which distributed ''[[Layer Cake (film)|Layer Cake]]'', but he rejected calls to tone down the violence. Other studios expressed interest but wanted to make the characters older.<ref name="hr20080805">{{cite news| date = 15 August 2010| first= Borys |last= Kit| title = Matthew Vaughn ready to 'Kick-Ass' | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]| url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matthew-vaughn-ready-kick-ass-117557 | quote = Vaughn, however, is such a believer in the project that he raised the money for the $30&nbsp;million indie project himself.}} {{Subscription required}}</ref> In particular, studios wanted to change Hit-Girl's character into an adult.<ref name="Olin">{{cite web|date=13 April 2010|last=Hartlaub|first=Peter<!-- coauthor=(posted by Andy Olin) -->|url=http://blogs.chron.com/peep/2010/04/from_mclovin_to_a_masked_man_i_1.html|title=From McLovin to a masked man in ''Kick-Ass''|work=Houston Chronicle|quote=They wanted to change the Hit Girl character to be, like, 25 years old.|access-date=29 January 2011|archive-date=1 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201032636/http://blogs.chron.com/peep/2010/04/from_mclovin_to_a_masked_man_i_1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Goldman said that while studio executives said that it would be less offensive to portray Hit-Girl as a teenager, Goldman argued that it would have been more offensive since, as a teenager, Hit-Girl would have been sexualized. Goldman said that Hit-Girl was not supposed to be sexualized.<ref name="Busch">Busch, Jenna. "[http://blastr.com/2010/04/how-kick-ass-killer-hit-g.php How ''Kick-Ass''<nowiki>'</nowiki> killer Hit Girl is like ''Alien''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Ripley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034053/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/how-kick-ass-killer-hit-g |date=1 December 2017 }}." ''[[Blastr]]'' (''[[Syfy]]''). 6 April 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011.</ref>
== Ratings ==
{{Anchors|Certification}}
In an interview with ''[[Total Film]]'', Aaron Johnson confirmed that the film stays true to the adult nature of the comic series by featuring a large amount of profanity and graphic violence. The film received an R rating by the [[MPAA]] for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use - some involving children, and it received a 15 rating from the [[BBFC]].<ref name="bbfc">{{cite web
| date= 26 February 2010
| title= Kick-Ass
| url = http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/468BAA2E2C8F4588802576D600411EEB?OpenDocument
| publisher = [[British Board of Film Classification]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-10
| quote = Contains strong language, once very strong, & strong bloody comic violence
}}
</ref><ref name="totalfilm">{{cite web
| title = Exclusive: Lauro Londe Talks Kick-Ass
| url = http://www.totalfilm.com/features/exclusive-lauro-londe-talks-kick-ass
}}
</ref> Director Matthew Vaughn felt the 15 certificate was about right and expressed some surprise at the film having received a PG-13 rating in France.<!-- time ~12 --><ref name="vaughn-interview" />


Vaughn had a little trouble adapting to film, as the film had no studio. The big studios doubted the success of an adaptation as a violent superhero, which made the film be independently financed, but this gave him the freedom to make the film the way he imagined, without having to worry about high censorship. Vaughn believed enough in the project to raise the money himself.<ref name="hr20080805" /> [[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]] (Red Mist) said that the creators of the film were wondering whether a distributor would pick up the movie. On the set Vaughn jokingly referred to ''Kick-Ass'' as something that was going to be "the most expensive home movie I ever made".<ref name="Olin" /> On 18 August 2009, it was announced that the film had been acquired for distribution in the United States and Canada by [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]].<ref>{{cite web | date = 18 August 2009 | first = Borys |last = Kit | title = Edgy superhero movie "Kick-Ass" nabbed by Lionsgate | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kickass/edgy-superhero-movie-kick-ass-nabbed-by-lionsgate-idUSTRE57H17F20090818 | work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>
== Filming ==
{{Anchors|Locations}}
Filming locations include Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at [[Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (Hamilton)|Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School]],<ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250777/locations</ref> Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and various locations in the UK, including [[Elstree Studios]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Kick-Ass (2010) Filming Locations
| url = http://www.ukonscreen.com/iiibgdc-Kick-Ass-(2010).html
| work = UK Onscreen
| accessdate = 2010-04-13
}}
</ref>


The 2D/3D animated comic book sequence in the film took almost two years to finish. Romita created the pencils, [[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]] did the inks, and [[Dean White (comics)|Dean White]] did the colours. Vaughn gave Romita a ''[[:wiktionary:carte blanche|carte blanche]]'' on the art direction of the sequence.<ref>Nadel, Nick. "[http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/03/17/mark-millar-john-romita-jr-kick-ass-premiere-qanda/ The Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. 'Kick-Ass' Post-Movie Q&A] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307083259/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/03/17/mark-millar-john-romita-jr-kick-ass-premiere-qanda |date=7 March 2011 }}". [[ComicsAlliance]]. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2011.</ref>
== Music ==
{{Anchors|Score}}
=== Soundtrack ===
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Kick-Ass (Music from the Motion Picture)
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = Various Artists
| Cover = Kick-asssdtk.jpg
| alt =
| Released = 29 March 2010 (UK)
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Pop music|Pop]] <br />[[Dance-pop]] <br />[[Pop rock]] <br /> [[Hard Rock]] <br /> [[Alternative Rock]]
| Length = 51:19
| Label = [[Polydor Records|Polydor Ltd.]] (UK)
| Producer =
| Reviews =
| Last album =
| This album =
| Next album =
| Misc = {{Singles
| Name = Kick-Ass (Music from the Motion Picture)
| Type = soundtrack
| single 1 = [[Kick Ass (song)|Kick Ass]]
| single 1 date = 2 May 2010 (UK)
}}
}}


===Filming===
The film's soundtrack album was released in the United Kingdom on 29 March 2010,<ref name="tracklist">{{cite web
{{Anchor|Locations}}
| title = Kick Ass – OST: Various Artists
Filming locations included [[Hamilton, Ontario]], Canada; Dip 'N' Sip Donuts on [[Kingston Road (Toronto)|Kingston Road]] in [[Toronto]],<ref name=tonight>''t.o.night'' ("Toronto's Free Evening Newspaper"), Toronto, 22–24 July 2011, p. 9.</ref> [[Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (Hamilton, Ontario)|Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=43.236949,-79.795418&spn=0.16733,0.20565&sll=43.150171,-79.238977&sspn=0.041892,0.051413&t=h&hq=Sir+Winston+Churchill+Secondary+School&hnear=Hamilton,+Hamilton+Division,+Ontario&z=12&layer=c&cbll=43.236989,-79.795092&panoid=AqNMyG15jvwR5FqH-11vuA&cbp=12,62.46,,0,15.1|title=Google Street View}}</ref><!-- Not IMDB. --> and "many Toronto landmarks that play cameos";<ref name="tonight" /> and various locations in the United Kingdom, including [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Kick-Ass (2010) Filming Locations| url = http://www.ukonscreen.com/iiibgdc-Kick-Ass-(2010).html| work=UK Onscreen| access-date =13 April 2010}}</ref>
| url = http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kick-Ass-Ost-Various-Artists/dp/B003AIEOBK
The opening sequence with Nicolas Cage was filmed in a sewage plant in east [[London]].<ref name="crave" />
| publisher = Amazon.co.uk
| accessdate = 2010-04-09
}}
</ref> and in the United States on [[iTunes]] on 30 March 2010.<ref>http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kick-a-s-music-from-motion/id363203291</ref>
The title song is by pop singer-songwriter [[Mika (singer)|Mika]], co-written by Jodi Marr and produced by [[RedOne]]. The song "Kick Ass" was confirmed as Mika's 10th official single in the United Kingdom and was officially released on 2 May 2010.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Mika's new 'KICK-ASS' single
| url = http://mikasounds.s04.pre.umguk.vvhp.net/news/view/783/Mikas_new_KICK-ASS_single
}}
</ref>


The Atomic Comics store in the film is based on the now-defunct real-life Arizona-based chain whose owner, Millar said, is a friend of artist John Romita Jr.<ref name="crave" />
The video for the single shows [[Mika (singer)|Mika]] as a helpless individual left in an alleyway after being mugged.<ref>{{youtube|KPnEhV0bgE0|MIKA – Kick Ass}}</ref> He begins to sing and as he does, the words of empowerment in the lyrics and his finding of an issue of the ''[[Kick-Ass (comics)|Kick-Ass]]'' comic inspire him to run for the rooftops and wail the chorus to the sky. As is the norm with most soundtrack singles, the video features intercut scenes from the film.<ref>{{cite news
Millar asked Mike Malve for permission to use Atomic Comics in the film, and a model version of Atomic Comics was created at the London pilot studio for use in the filming.<ref>{{cite web| date = 15 April 2010| last = Miller| first = Allison| url = http://media.www.ecollegetimes.com/media/storage/paper991/news/2010/04/15/Movies/Atomic.Comics.Appears.In.MuchHyped.Comic.Book.Flick-3905876.shtml| archive-url = https://archive.today/20110710165720/http://media.www.ecollegetimes.com/media/storage/paper991/news/2010/04/15/Movies/Atomic.Comics.Appears.In.MuchHyped.Comic.Book.Flick-3905876.shtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = 10 July 2011| title = Atomic Comics appears in much-hyped comic book flick| work = [[College Times]]}}</ref>
| title = Ass to be a screen hit
| url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2892186/Watch-exclusive-video-of-Mikas-title-track-for-film-Kick-Ass.html
| newspaper = [[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]
}}
</ref>


==Reaction==
The soundtrack song "Kick Ass" has received positive views by many websites such as Popjustice.com<ref>{{cite web
In January 2010, an uncensored preview clip of the film was attacked by family advocacy groups for its display of violence and use of the line "Okay, you [[cunt]]s, let's see what you can do now," delivered by [[Chloë Grace Moretz]], who was 12 years old at the time of filming. [[Australian Family Association]] spokesman John Morrissey said that "the language [was] offensive and the values inappropriate; without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes".<ref>{{cite news| date = 13 January 2010| title = Family outrage at film Kick Ass (''sic'') violence and swearing| url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/family-outrage-at-film-kick-ass-violence-and-swearing/story-e6frewz0-1225818799884/| work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]| location = Australia}}</ref>
| url = http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4534&Itemid=9
| title = Q: What do you get when you cross Mika with Lady Gaga's producer?
| publisher = Popjustice
| date = 2010-03-16
| accessdate = 2010-04-09
}}
</ref> and Digitalspy.co.uk <ref>{{cite news
| author = Robert Copsey
| title = Mika: 'Kick-Ass'
| url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a210264/mika-kick-ass.html
}}
</ref>


Moretz stated in an interview, "If I ''ever'' uttered one word that I said in ''Kick-Ass'', I would be grounded for years! I'd be stuck in my room until I was 20! I would never in a million years say that. I'm an average, everyday girl."<ref name="mtv-moretz">{{cite web| date = 20 January 2010| first= Larry|last= Carroll | title="Kick-Ass" star Chloe Moretz is One of 10 to Watch in 2010| website= [[MTV]]| url = http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1630006/story.jhtml| quote = Moretz: I would love to. I can't say anything about [the ending], but I would love to be Hit-Girl twice, three times, four times in my life.| archive-date = 7 May 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110507150052/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630006/kickass-star-chloe-moretz-one-10-watch-2010.jhtml}}</ref>
The song "Stand Up" by [[The Prodigy]] features in both the Teaser Trailer<ref name="trailer-teaser">{{cite web | author = | url = http://www.flicksandbits.com/?p=266 | title = Kick-Ass Teaser Trailer | publisher = Flicksandbits.com | date = 2009-11-11 | accessdate = 2010-04-09}}</ref> and [[Film trailer#United States MPAA rating cards|Red Band Trailer]].<ref name="trailer-redband">{{cite web | url = http://www.previewfilms.net/details.php?image_id=1086 | title = Kick-Ass Red Band Trailer | publisher = Previewfilms.net | date= | accessdate = 2010-04-09 }}</ref>
Moretz has said that while filming, she could not bring herself to say the film's title out loud in interviews, instead calling it "the film" in public and "Kick-Butt" at home.<ref name="scotsman-moretz">{{cite news| date = 24 March 2010
| first= Siobhan |last= Synnot| title = What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, punches and the odd four-letter word, when they're the surprise star of ''Kick-Ass''.| url = http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/-What-are-little-girls.6171794.jp| newspaper=The Scotsman | location=Edinburgh}}</ref>


Christopher Mintz-Plasse notes a hypocrisy that people were angry about the language but did not seem to be offended that Hit-Girl kills numerous people.<ref name="metro">White, Lucy. [http://e-edition.metroherald.ie/2010/04/14/ "Christopher Mintz-Passe: 60 Second interview"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815091232/http://e-edition.metroherald.ie/2010/04/14/ |date=15 August 2011 }}, ''MetroHerald'', 14 April 2010, p. 17 (Requires registration to view): "People are so angry at Chloe [Grace Moretz] for saying bad language but she murders a ton of people and no one seems to be offended by that."</ref>
A song featured in the film, but not on the soundtrack is "[[Crazy (Gnarls Barkley song)|Crazy]]", by [[Gnarls Barkley]]. This song is played in the Mistmobile while Kick-Ass and Red Mist cruise around town together.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://musicfromfilm.com/movies/kickass.php | title = Music from Kick-Ass | publisher = MusicfromFilm.com | date= | accessdate = 2010-09-01 }}</ref> Also, the version of "Bad Reputation" used in the film was by [[Joan Jett]] but the version on the soundtrack was by a band called "The Hit Girls".


===Ratings===
The song "Hey Little World" by [[The Hives]], which played in the theatrical trailers was also not included.<ref>{{cite new | url = http://www.gigwise.com/blog/55869/After-The-Supergrass-Split-Praise-Be-To-The-Average-Bands | publisher = GigWise | title = After The Supergrass Split, Praise Be To The Average Bands! | date = 16 April 2010 | first = Robert | last = Leedham | accessdate = 2010-04-25}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Certification}}
In an interview with ''[[Total Film]]'', Aaron Johnson confirmed that the film stays true to the adult nature of the comic series by featuring a large amount of profanity and graphic violence. The film received an R rating by the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]] for "strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use—some involving children", and it received a 15 rating from the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]].<ref name="bbfc">{{cite web| date= 26 February 2010| title= Kick-Ass| url = https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kick-ass-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjgyotc| publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]
| access-date =10 April 2010| quote = Contains strong language, once very strong, & strong bloody comic violence}}
</ref><ref name="totalfilm">{{cite web| title = Exclusive: Lauro Londe Talks Kick-Ass| url = http://www.totalfilm.com/features/exclusive-lauro-londe-talks-kick-ass| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130205100444/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/exclusive-lauro-londe-talks-kick-ass| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2013-02-05}}</ref>
Director Matthew Vaughn felt the 15 certificate was about right and expressed some surprise at the film having received a "PG rating {{sic}}" in France.<!-- time ~12 see [[Talk:Kick-Ass_(film)#French_ratings]] --><ref name="vaughn-interview" />


==Reception==
; Track listing
===Box office===
The film earned over $12&nbsp;million internationally in advance of opening in the United States.<ref name="the-numbers">{{cite web| title = Movie Kick-Ass| url = https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/KCKAS.php| work=The Numbers
| publisher=Nash Information Services| access-date =12 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="mojo" /> On its debut weekend in the United States it took in $19.8&nbsp;million in 3,065 theaters, averaging $6,469 per theater.<ref name="mojo" /> ''Kick-Ass'' was reported number one, ahead of ''[[How to Train Your Dragon (2010 film)|How to Train Your Dragon]]'' by $200,000, which was in its third week of release. On Saturday, 17 April 2010, it fell down to number three behind ''How To Train Your Dragon'' and ''[[Date Night]]''. On Sunday, 2 May 2010, it fell down behind ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010 film)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'', ''How To Train Your Dragon'', ''[[Furry Vengeance]]'', ''[[The Back-Up Plan]]'', ''Date Night'', ''[[Clash of the Titans (2010 film)|Clash of the Titans]]'' and ''[[The Losers (2010 film)|The Losers]]''. These numbers for ''Kick-Ass''{{'}}s debut weekend gross included non-weekend earnings, as the film was previewed during the Thursday night prior to its release.<ref>{{cite web| title = Weekend Box Office Results for April&nbsp;16–18, 2010| url = https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2724&p=.htm| quote = Kick-Ass distributor Lionsgate included the movie's 10&nbsp;pm Thursday previews in the weekend gross, when, objectively, the weekend is Friday-Sunday.| work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=Amazon.com| access-date =2 August 2010}}</ref> The film's final gross in the U.S. was $48,071,303 and $48,117,600 outside of the U.S. with a worldwide gross of $96,188,903.<ref name="mojo" />


The film was listed among the most infringed films of 2010; according to statistics on [[TorrentFreak]], the film was illegally downloaded over 11.4 million times, second only to ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar.]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ifc.com/fix/2010/12/the-most-pirated-movies-of-201 | title=The Most Pirated Movies of 2010 | first=Matt | last = Singer | publisher=[[IFC (U.S. TV channel)|IFC.com]] | date= 22 December 2010 | access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline =
| extra_column = Performed by
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| writing_credits =
| lyrics_credits =
| music_credits =
| title1 = [[Invaders Must Die#Track listing|Stand Up]]
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 = [[The Prodigy]]
| length1 = 5:08
| title2 = [[Kick Ass (song)|Kick Ass]] (Radio Edit)
| note2 =
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 = [[Mika (singer)|Mika]] vs. [[RedOne]]
| length2 = 3:11
| title3 = [[Can't Go Back]]
| note3 =
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 = [[Primal Scream]]
| length3 = 3:46
| title4 = There's a Pot Brewin'
| note4 =
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 = [[The Little Ones (band)|The Little Ones]]
| length4 = 3:13
| title5 = [[Omen (song)|Omen]]
| note5 =
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 = [[The Prodigy]]
| length5 = 3:54
| title6 = [[Make Me Wanna Die]]
| note6 =
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| extra6 = [[The Pretty Reckless]]
| length6 = 3:55
| title7 = [[The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)|Banana Splits]] (Kick-Ass Film Version)
| note7 =
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| extra7 = [[The Dickies]]
| length7 = 2:04
| title8 = [[Starry Eyed (song)|Starry Eyed]]
| note8 =
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| extra8 = [[Ellie Goulding]]
| length8 = 2:57
| title9 = [[This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us]]
| note9 =
| writer9 =
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| extra9 = [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]]
| length9 = 3:03
| title10 = [[One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This|We're All In Love]]
| note10 =
| writer10 =
| lyrics10 =
| music10 =
| extra10 = [[The New York Dolls]]
| length10 = 4:50
| title11 = Bongo Song
| note11 =
| writer11 =
| lyrics11 =
| music11 =
| extra11 = Zongamin
| length11 = 5:00
| title12 = Per Qualche Dollaro in Più ([[For a Few Dollars More]])
| note12 =
| writer12 =
| lyrics12 =
| music12 =
| extra12 = [[Ennio Morricone]]
| length12 = 2:53
| title13 = [[Bad Reputation (Joan Jett song)|Bad Reputation]]
| note13 =
| writer13 =
| lyrics13 =
| music13 =
| extra13 = [[Joan Jett and the Blackhearts|Joan Jett & the Blackhearts]] <!-- * Note this was credited as "The Hit Girls" but really performed by [[Joan Jett]] * -->
| length13 = 2:56
| title14 = [[An American Trilogy]]
| note14 =
| writer14 =
| lyrics14 =
| music14 =
| extra14 = [[Elvis Presley]]
| length14 = 4:31
}}


=== Score ===
===Critical response===
<!-- Review aggregation websites -->
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
On review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads: "Not for the faint of heart, ''Kick-Ass'' takes the comic adaptation genre to new levels of visual style, bloody violence, and gleeful profanity."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1217700-kick_ass|title=Kick-Ass (2010)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] assigned the film a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 38 mainstream critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web| title = Kick-Ass reviews at Metacritic.com | url = https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/kickass | work= [[Metacritic]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]| access-date = 18 April 2010}}</ref> American audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Kick-Ass" in the search box|publisher=[[CinemaScore]]|access-date=March 21, 2021}}</ref>
| Name = Kick-Ass: The Score
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = Various Artists
| Cover = Kick-Ass - Score.jpg
| alt =
| Released = 17 May 2010 (UK)
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Soundtrack]]
| Length = 1:06:33
| Label = [[Polydor Records|Polydor Ltd.]] (UK)
| Producer =
| Reviews =
| Last album =
| This album =
| Next album =
| Misc =
}}
The film's score was released on 17 May 2010 in the UK.<ref name="scoretracklist">{{cite web
| title = Kick Ass: The Score - Various Artists
| url = http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003MP19XC/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1274734757&sr=8-1
| publisher = Amazon.co.uk
| accessdate = 2010-05-24
}}
</ref> Two of the instrumentals in the film are altered versions of songs from other [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]] composed soundtracks. These are "In The House - In A Heartbeat" from ''[[28 Days Later: The Soundtrack Album]]'' and "Adagio in D-minor" track from the ''[[Sunshine (2007 film)|Sunshine]]'' soundtrack. The former was used in the scene where Big Daddy guns down D'Amico's men in the warehouse and the latter was used when Hit-Girl is trying to rescue Kick-Ass and Big Daddy. They are called "Big Daddy Kills" and "Strobe (Adagio in D Minor)" respectively on the ''Kick-Ass'' score. One track, "Walk To Rasul's" was composed by [[Danny Elfman]], who was referenced in the original comic.


<!-- Critical response from the United Kingdom (i.e. local critics) -->
; Track listing
<!-- If you want to change this list see [[Template:Tracklist]] -->
<!-- Film was released in the UK first, UK critics first -->
In the United Kingdom, ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film extensive coverage by several of its critics and journalists.<ref>{{cite news| date = 12 March 2010| title = Kick-Ass: Britain's debt to American action films is underlined by this violent comedy about a superhero with no superpowers|work=The Guardian |location=UK | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/135252/kick-ass| access-date =10 April 2010}}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] gave the film 5/5 stars and called it an "explosion in a bad taste factory" and a "thoroughly outrageous, jaw-droppingly violent and very funny riff on the quasi-porn world of comic books; except that there is absolutely no 'quasi' about it."<ref name="The Guardian 1">{{cite news| date = 31 March 2010| first= Peter |last= Bradshaw| title = Kick-Ass: A hilarious, very violent black comedy puts a new twist on superheroics| url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/mar/31/kick-ass-review-film|work=The Guardian |location=UK
{{Track listing
| access-date =10 April 2010}}</ref> [[Philip French]], writing for ''[[The Observer]]'', called the film "relentlessly violent" with "the foulest-mouthed child ever to appear on screen, [who makes] [[Louis Malle]]'s [[Zazie dans le Métro|Zazie]] sound like [[Cosette]]" and one "extremely knowing in its appeal to connoisseurs of comic strips and video games."<ref name="ObserverFrench" /> David Cox<!--Not a journalist, a TV producer--> wrote an article published in ''The Guardian'', saying that the film "kicks the c-word into the mainstream [...] has inadvertently dispatched our last big expletive."<ref>{{cite news | date = 2 April 2010| first = David | last = Cox| title = Kick-Ass kicks the c-word into the mainstream | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2010/apr/02/kick-ass-bad-language | work = The Guardian | location = UK | access-date = 10 April 2010}}</ref>
| collapsed =
| headline =
| extra_column = Composer
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| writing_credits =
| lyrics_credits =
| music_credits =
| title1 = The Armenian Superhero
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 = [[Henry Jackman]]
| length1 = 1:59
| title2 = [[Invaders Must Die#Track listing|Stand Up]]
| note2 =
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 = [[The Prodigy]]
| length2 = 3:32
| title3 = Forcefield
| note3 =
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 = [[Marius de Vries|Marius Vries]]
| length3 = 1:05
| title4 = Watching
| note4 =
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 = Henry Jackman
| length4 = 1:01
| title5 = Man In The Mirror
| note5 =
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 = Henry Jackman
| length5 = 1:08
| title6 = A Punch In The Chest
| note6 =
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| extra6 = Marius Vries
| length6 = 0:45
| title7 = Roof Jump
| note7 =
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| extra7 = Marius Vries
| length7 = 1:31
| title8 = Time To Engage
| note8 =
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| extra8 = Henry Jackman
| length8 = 0:26
| title9 = Stabbing-Morphine
| note9 =
| writer9 =
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| extra9 = Marius Vries
| length9 = 1:56
| title10 = I'm Kick-Ass
| note10 =
| writer10 =
| lyrics10 =
| music10 =
| extra10 = Henry Jackman
| length10 = 1:16
| title11 = Famous
| note11 =
| writer11 =
| lyrics11 =
| music11 =
| extra11 = Marius Vries
| length11 = 2:22
| title12 = A Friend Like You
| note12 =
| writer12 =
| lyrics12 =
| music12 =
| extra12 = Marius Vries
| length12 = 0:43
| title13 = Walk To Rasul's
| note13 =
| writer13 =
| lyrics13 =
| music13 =
| extra13 = [[Danny Elfman]]
| length13 = 0:58
| title14 = Trick Or Treat?
| note14 =
| writer14 =
| lyrics14 =
| music14 =
| extra14 = Marius Vries
| length14 = 2:43
| title15 = Leaving Rasul's
| note15 =
| writer15 =
| lyrics15 =
| music15 =
| extra15 = [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]]
| length15 = 1:18
| title16 = Hit-Girl & Big Daddy
| note16 =
| writer16 =
| lyrics16 =
| music16 =
| extra16 = Marius Vries
| length16 = 2:39
| title17 = Damon & Marcus Comic Book
| note17 =
| writer17 =
| lyrics17 =
| music17 =
| extra17 = Henry Jackman
| length17 = 3:24
| title18 = I Miss You Both
| note18 =
| writer18 =
| lyrics18 =
| music18 =
| extra18 = [[Ilan Eshkeri]]
| length18 = 1:40
| title19 = Hunting Kick-Ass
| note19 =
| writer19 =
| lyrics19 =
| music19 =
| extra19 = Henry Jackman
| length19 = 1:04
| title20 = MistMobile
| note20 =
| writer20 =
| lyrics20 =
| music20 =
| extra20 = Henry Jackman
| length20 = 1:40
| title21 = Big Daddy Kills
| note21 =
| writer21 =
| lyrics21 =
| music21 =
| extra21 = Henry Jackman
| length21 = 2:50
| title22 = One Last Time
| note22 =
| writer22 =
| lyrics22 =
| music22 =
| extra22 = Marius Vries
| length22 = 0:57
| title23 = Sleepover
| note23 =
| writer23 =
| lyrics23 =
| music23 =
| extra23 = Marius Vries
| length23 = 1:57
| title24 = To Brooklyn Bridge
| note24 =
| writer24 =
| lyrics24 =
| music24 =
| extra24 = Marius Vries
| length24 = 1:42
| title25 = Safehouse / Ambush
| note25 =
| writer25 =
| lyrics25 =
| music25 =
| extra25 = John Murphy
| length25 = 2:34
| title26 = Showtime Pt. 2 (It's Only The End Of The World)
| note26 =
| writer26 =
| lyrics26 =
| music26 =
| extra26 = John Murphy
| length26 = 2:25
| title27 = Nightvision
| note27 =
| writer27 =
| lyrics27 =
| music27 =
| extra27 = John Murphy
| length27 = 1:57
| title28 = Strobe (Adagio in D Minor)
| note28 =
| writer28 =
| lyrics28 =
| music28 =
| extra28 = John Murphy
| length28 = 2:02
| title29 = Big Daddy Dies
| note29 =
| writer29 =
| lyrics29 =
| music29 =
| extra29 = Henry Jackman
| length29 = 1:33
| title30 = Hit-Girl Drives Home
| note30 =
| writer30 =
| lyrics30 =
| music30 =
| extra30 = John Murphy
| length30 = 1:42
| title31 = Marshmallows
| note31 =
| writer31 =
| lyrics31 =
| music31 =
| extra31 = Henry Jackman
| length31 = 1:12
| title32 = Choose Your Weapon
| note32 =
| writer32 =
| lyrics32 =
| music32 =
| extra32 = Ilan Eshkeri
| length32 = 1:26
| title33 = You Got Five Minutes
| note33 =
| writer33 =
| lyrics33 =
| music33 =
| extra33 = Marius Vries
| length33 = 0:35
| title34 = No Power, No Responsibility
| note34 =
| writer34 =
| lyrics34 =
| music34 =
| extra34 = Henry Jackman
| length34 = 1:16
| title35 = The Corridor
| note35 =
| writer35 =
| lyrics35 =
| music35 =
| extra35 = John Murphy
| length35 = 1:16
| title36 = Kitchen Stand Off
| note36 =
| writer36 =
| lyrics36 =
| music36 =
| extra36 = Ilan Eshkeri
| length36 = 1:19
| title37 = The Fight
| note37 =
| writer37 =
| lyrics37 =
| music37 =
| extra37 = Marius Vries
| length37 = 3:12
| title38 = Flying Home
| note38 =
| writer38 =
| lyrics38 =
| music38 =
| extra38 = Marius Vries
| length38 = 1:49
| title39 = True Identity
| note39 =
| writer39 =
| lyrics39 =
| music39 =
| extra39 = Henry Jackman
| length39 = 1:39
}}


Chris Hewitt of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine gave the film 5/5 and declared it, "A ridiculously entertaining, perfectly paced, ultra-violent cinematic rush that kicks the places other movies struggle to reach. ... the film's violence is clearly fantastical and cartoonish and not to be taken seriously."<ref>{{cite journal| first= Chris|last= Hewitt| url = https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kick-ass-review/| title = ''Kick-Ass'' (review)| journal=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date= 13 March 2010}}</ref>
== Release ==
''Kick-Ass'' was released in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2010.<ref>{{cite news | date = 23 March 2010 | last = Wilson | first = Ollie | title = Kick-Ass superheroes 'are real people' and 'can die' | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_10070000/newsid_10071400/10071434.stm | archiveurl = | archivedate = | work = BBC }}</ref> The film opened in Australia on 8 April.<ref>9 News, [Wilkins slams controversial film 'Kick-Ass'], 8 April 2010]</ref> The North American release was on 16 April by [[Lionsgate]].<ref>{{cite news
| date 2009-08-17
| title = ‘Kick-Ass’ Gets Distributor
| url = http://thefilmstage.com/2009/08/17/kick-ass-gets-distributor/
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| date = 2009-09-01
| title = Lionsgate Sets KICK-ASS For 16 April 2010; Moves THE EXPENDABLES To August!
| url = http://aintitcool.com/node/42220
| work = [[Ain't It Cool News]]
}}
</ref> France's opening was scheduled for 21 April.<ref>{{cite news | title=http://www.leparisien.fr/cinema/actualite-cinema/exclusif-quand-nicolas-cage-joue-les-super-heros-15-04-2010-887954.php | publisher=''[[Le Parisien]]'' | title=Exclusif : quand Nicolas Cage joue les super héros... | language=French | date=15 April 2010 | accessdate=2010-04-19 }}</ref>


<!-- International critics, American, Canadian, Australian -->
A screening of the unfinished film was shown at the 11th [[Butt-Numb-A-Thon]] film festival on 13 December 2009, where it was received with wild enthusiasm by the event's attendees.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43367 |title = "Fresh from BNAT Quint shows some love to KICK-ASS and has a rundown of the Iron Man 2 trailer!" | work = AintItCool.com | date = 2009-12-14 | accessdate = 2010-04-09 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 2009-12-14 | first = John | last = Gholson | title = 'Kick-Ass' Kicks Ass at BNAT | url = http://www.scifisquad.com/2009/12/14/kick-ass-kicks-ass-at-bnat/ | publisher = ScifiSquad.com | accessdate = 2010-04-09 }}</ref>
<!-- Film was released in the UK first, later in the US -->
Critics who enjoyed the film generally singled out its audacity, humour<!-- use British spelling article -->, and performances of the cast. Peter Howell of the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' gave ''Kick-Ass'' a top rating, writing that the production "succeeds as a violent fantasy about our perilous and fretful times, where regular citizens feel compelled to take action against a social order rotting from within."<ref>{{cite news | date = 15 April 2010 | first= Peter |last= Howell | title = Kick-Ass: A violent, five-alarm, four-star fantasy | url = https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/795714--kick-ass-a-violent-five-alarm-four-star-fantasy | access-date =19 April 2010 | location=Toronto | work=The Star}} {{Rating|4|4}}</ref>
''[[USA Today]]'' critic Claudia Puig praised Moretz as "terrific ... Even as she wields outlandish weaponry, she comes off as adorable."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2010-04-16-kickass16_ST_N.htm |title=The real hero of 'Kick-Ass' is a little girl: Chloe Moretz |first=Claudia |last= Puig |access-date=16 April 2010 | work=USA Today | date=16 April 2010}}</ref> [[Manohla Dargis]] from ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Fast, periodically spit-funny and often grotesquely violent, the film at once embraces and satirizes contemporary action-film clichés with [[Quentin Tarantino|Tarantino]]-esque self-regard."<ref>{{cite news| date = 16 April 2010| first = Manohla | last = Dargis
| title = Movie Review: Kick-Ass (2010)| url = https://movies.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/movies/16kick.html
|work=The New York Times| access-date =21 January 2011}}</ref> [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a B+, but noted that "personally, I just wish that the film had ended up a bit less of an over-the-top action ride."<ref>{{cite magazine| date = 15 April 2010| first = Owen |last= Gleiberman| title = Movie Review: Kick-Ass (2010)
| url = https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20360874,00.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100417072052/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20360874,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 17 April 2010|magazine=Entertainment Weekly| access-date =21 January 2011
}}</ref>


Other reviews were more negative. [[Roger Ebert]] found the film highly offensive and "morally reprehensible", giving it one out of four stars. He cited the coarse language and violence, particularly the scene in which Hit-Girl is nearly killed by D'Amico. "When kids in the age range of this movie's home video audience are shooting one another every day in America, that kind of stops being funny." Ebert's only notes of praise were for the performances of Cage, Johnson and Moretz. The movie made that week's "Your Movie Sucks" list of one-star movies.<ref name="ebert">{{cite news |date=14 April 2010 |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100414/REVIEWS/100419986/1023 |title=Kick-Ass |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=18 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418035801/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100414/REVIEWS/100419986/1023 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/your-movie-sucks.html |title=the Your Movie Sucks™ files |work=Roger Ebert's Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624124437/http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/your-movie-sucks.html |archive-date=24 June 2011 }}</ref>
== Controversy ==
In January 2010, an uncensored preview clip of the film was attacked by family advocacy groups for its display of violence and use of the line "Okay you cunts, let's see what you can do now," delivered by [[Chloë Moretz]], who was 11 at the time of filming. Australian Family Association spokesman John Morrissey claimed that "the language [was] offensive and the values inappropriate – without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes".<ref>{{cite news
| date = 2010-01-13
| title = Family outrage at film Kick Ass (''sic'') violence and swearing
| url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/family-outrage-at-film-kick-ass-violence-and-swearing/story-e6frewz0-1225818799884/
| work = Daily Telegraph
}}
</ref> Several critics like [[Roger Ebert]] and the [[Daily Mail]]'s Christopher Tookey accused the film of glorifying violence, particularly violence by young children <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100414/REVIEWS/100419986 Ebert's review of Kick-Ass]</ref>, while Tookey also claimed Hit Girl was "made to look as seductive as possible". <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1262948/Kick-Ass-Dont-fooled-hype--This-crime-cinema-twisted-cynical-revels-abuse-childhood.html Daily Mail review of Kick-Ass]</ref> Tookey's view on Hit Girl was strongly criticised, with many commentators - including the film editor of the [[Radio Times]] - wondering why he'd found the character sexualised, causing him to claim he was a victim of cyber-bullying. <ref>[http://www.movie-film-review.com/devFilm.asp?ID=15578 Response by Tookey]</ref>


Tim Robey of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' did not like the film either, rating it 1/5 and stating, "Matthew Vaughn's ''Kick Ass'' is hollow, glazed, and not quite there".<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news| date = 1 April 2010| first = Tim |last= Robey| title = Kick-Ass, review| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/7545480/Kick-Ass-review.html| newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]| location = London| access-date =10 April 2010}}</ref>
In response to the controversy, Moretz stated in an interview, "If I ''ever'' uttered one word that I said in ''Kick-Ass'', I would be grounded for years! I'd be stuck in my room until I was 20! I would never in a million years say that. I'm an average, everyday girl."<ref name="mtv-moretz">{{cite web
| date = 2010-01-20
| author = Larry Carroll
| title = 'Kick-Ass' Star Chloe Moretz Is One Of 10 To Watch In 2010
| url = http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1630006/story.jhtml
| quote = Moretz: I would love to. I can't say anything about [the ending], but I would love to be Hit-Girl twice, three times, four times in my life.
}}
</ref>
Moretz has said that while filming, she could not bring herself to say the film's title out loud in interviews, instead calling it "the film" in public and "Kick-Butt" at home.<ref name="scotsman-moretz">{{cite web
| date = 2010-03-24
| author = Siobhan Synnot
| title = What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, punches and the odd four-letter word, when they're the surprise star of ''Kick-Ass''.
| url = http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/-What-are-little-girls.6171794.jp
| newspaper = The Scotsman
}}
</ref>
Christopher Mintz-Plasse expressed surprise that people were angry about the language, but did not seem to be offended that Hit-Girl kills many people.<ref name="metro"><!-- title -->Christopher Mintz-Passe:60 Second interview <!-- author -->by Lucy White <!-- URL -->http://e-edition.metroherald.ie/2010/04/14/ <!-- work -->[[MetroHerald]] <!-- date -->2010-04-14 page 17.
Quote "People are so angry at Chloe [Grace Moretz] for saying bad language but she murders a ton of people and no one seems to be offended by that."</ref>

Millar, in contrast, said he thought "it’s the most naïve and idealistic movie I’ve seen in years because it’s about a wee guy who every night could get killed... It’s so hard when I was when I was watching it last night when he was fighting those three characters. There was something so nice about the fact that he was just waiting until the cops arrived. I see it as quite a sweet movie". <ref>[http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/writer-mark-millar-on-kick-ass-99655 Writer Mark Millar on 'Kick Ass'], ''craveonline.com''</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
{{Anchors|Critics}}
The film was met with generally positive reviews. Review aggregate website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave the film a rating of 75% based on 227 reviews, with an average score of 7.0/10.<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web
| title = Kick-Ass Reviews
| url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1217700-kick_ass/
| work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
| publisher = [[Flixster]]
| quote = Consensus: Not for the faint of heart, ''Kick-Ass'' takes the comic adaptation genre to new levels of visual style, bloody violence, and gleeful profanity.
| accessdate = 2010-06-24
}}
</ref>
Rotten Tomatoes' selected top critics gave the film a rating of 85% based on 13 reviews.<ref name="tomatoes-cream">{{cite web
| title = ''Kick-Ass'' Reviews (Cream of the Crop)
| url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1217700-kick_ass/?critic=creamcrop
| work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
| publisher = [[Flixster]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-16
}}
</ref>
[[Metacritic]] assigned the film a score of 66%, based on a weighted average of 38 reviews from mainstream critics.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web
| title = Kick-Ass reviews at Metacritic.com:
| url = http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/kickass
| work = [[Metacritic]]
| publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-18
}}
</ref>


[[Karina Longworth]] writing for ''[[The Village Voice]]'', was not impressed with the film's intended satire and themes: "Never as shocking as it thinks it is, as funny as it should be, or as engaged in cultural critique as it could be, ''Kick-Ass'' is half-assed."<ref>{{cite web| date = 13 April 2010| first = Karina| last = Longworth| title = Kick-Ass, Faster Than a Speeding Internet| url = http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-04-13/film/kick-ass-faster-than-a-speeding-internet/| work = [[Village Voice]]| access-date = 21 January 2011| archive-date = 15 January 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110115184749/http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-04-13/film/kick-ass-faster-than-a-speeding-internet/| url-status = dead}}</ref>
Critics who enjoyed the film generally singled out its audacity, humor, and performance from Chloë Moretz. Peter Howell of the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' gave ''Kick-Ass'' a top rating, noting that the production "succeeds as a violent fantasy about our perilous and fretful times, where regular citizens feel compelled to take action against a social order rotting from within."<ref>{{cite news | date = 15 April 2010 | author = Peter Howell | title = Kick-Ass: A violent, five-alarm, four-star fantasy | url = http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/795714--kick-ass-a-violent-five-alarm-four-star-fantasy | accessdate = 2010-04-19 | location=Toronto | work=The Star}} {{Rating|4|4}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'' critic Claudia Puig praised Moretz as “terrific...Even as she wields outlandish weaponry, she comes off as adorable.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2010-04-16-kickass16_ST_N.htm |title=The real hero of 'Kick-Ass' is a little girl: Chloe Moretz |author=Claudia Puig |accessdate=2010-04-16}}</ref>
Manohla Dargis from ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, “Fast, periodically spit-funny and often grotesquely violent, the film at once embraces and satirizes contemporary action-film clichés with Tarantino-esque self-regard.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/movies/16kick.html?partner=Rotten Tomatoes&ei=5083 |title=Movie Review: Kick-Ass (2010) |author=Manohla Dargis |accessdate=2010-04-16}}</ref>
''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a B+, but noted that “personally, I just wish that the film had ended up a bit less of an over-the-top action ride.” <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20360874,00.html |title=Movie Review: Kick-Ass (2010) |author=Owen Gleiberman |accessdate=2010-04-16}}</ref>
In ''[[Film Journal International]]'', former [[Marvel Comics]] writer [[Frank Lovece]] said the "delightfully dynamic" movie "actually improves on the comic by not metaphorically kicking in our hero's teeth ... and making him a sad-sack schmuck who was wrong about nearly everything." He found that, "Comedy-of-manners dry humor ... plays seamlessly amid scenes of stylized, off-camera mayhem."<ref>{{cite web | date = 5 April 2010 | authorlink = Frank Lovece | last = Lovece | first = Frank | url = http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/reviews/major-releases/e3id348f97334badeb3361f8c04555372d2 | title = Film Review: ''Kick-Ass''| work = [[Film Journal International]] }}</ref>


===Accolades===
Some critics were repulsed by its violence, inconsistent tone, and the unoriginality of its observations. [[Roger Ebert]] was especially disdainful of the film, awarding it only one star. He began his review with a question, "Shall I have feelings, or should I pretend to be cool? Will I seem hopelessly square if I find ''Kick-Ass'' morally reprehensible and will I appear to have missed the point?"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100414/REVIEWS/100419986 |title= Review: Kick-Ass |author= Roger Ebert |accessdate= 2010-04-14}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Awards}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 99%"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:20%;"| Award
! scope="col"| Date of ceremony
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient(s)
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Refh}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| [[The Comedy Awards]]
| rowspan="4"| March 26, 2011
| Comedy Film
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=15 February 2011 |title=Comedy Central/MTV Networks' Comedy Awards Announce Nominations |url=https://deadline.com/2011/02/comedy-centralmtv-networks-comedy-awards-announce-nominations-106588/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215083432/https://deadline.com/2011/02/comedy-centralmtv-networks-comedy-awards-announce-nominations-106588/ |archive-date=15 December 2014 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Molloy |first=Tim |date=11 April 2011 |title=The Comedy Awards: Finally, an Entertaining Awards Show |url=https://www.thewrap.com/comedy-awards-finally-entertaining-awards-show-26324/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021120536/https://www.thewrap.com/comedy-awards-finally-entertaining-awards-show-26324/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=[[TheWrap]]}}</ref>
|-
| Comedy Actress – Film
| Chloë Grace Moretz
| {{nom}}
|-
| Comedy Screenplay
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
|-
| Comedy Director – Film
| [[Matthew Vaughn]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Critics' Choice Movie Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| [[16th Critics' Choice Awards|January 14, 2011]]
| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Action Movie|Best Action Movie]]
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creed |first=Ryan |date=16 January 2011 |title=Critics Choice Awards 2011 Winners List |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/critics-choice-awards-2011-winners-list/story?id=12623121 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315065939/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/critics-choice-awards-2011-winners-list/story?id=12623121 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer|Best Young Performer]]
| Chloë Grace Moretz
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;"| [[Empire Awards]]
| rowspan="6"| [[16th Empire Awards|March 27, 2011]]
| [[Empire Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="6"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |date=27 March 2011 |title=In Full: Empire Awards 2011 Winners |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a311307/in-full-empire-awards-2011-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715212111/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a311307/in-full-empire-awards-2011-winners/ |archive-date=15 July 2019 |access-date=5 October 2019 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Empire Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Aaron Johnson
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Empire Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Matthew Vaughn
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Empire Award for Best British Film|Best British Film]]
| rowspan="2"| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Empire Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy|Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Empire Award for Best Newcomer|Best Newcomer]]
| Chloë Grace Moretz (also for ''[[Let Me In (film)|Let Me In]]'')
| {{won}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| [[MTV Movie Awards]]
| rowspan="3"| [[2011 MTV Movie Awards|June 5, 2011]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance|Best Breakout Star]]
| rowspan="2"| Chloë Grace Moretz
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ward |first=Kate |date=3 May 2011 |title=MTV Movie Awards 2011 nominees |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/05/03/natalie-portman-rob-pattinson-mtv-movie-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621170939/https://ew.com/article/2011/05/03/natalie-portman-rob-pattinson-mtv-movie-awards/ |archive-date=21 June 2015 |access-date=23 December 2022 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtv-movie-awards-2011-list-of-winners/ |title=MTV Movie Awards 2011: List of winners |last=Derschowitz |first=Jessica |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=6 June 2011 |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034501/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtv-movie-awards-2011-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Biggest Badass Star
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Fight
| Chloë Grace Moretz vs. [[Mark Strong]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"| [[People's Choice Award]]
| [[37th People's Choice Awards|January 5, 2011]]
| Favorite Action Movie
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 November 2010 |title=People's Choice Awards 2011 - Nominees |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a287060/peoples-choice-awards-2011-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303150208/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a287060/peoples-choice-awards-2011-nominees/ |archive-date=3 March 2020 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobin |first=Christian |date=6 January 2011 |title=People's Choice Awards 2011: The Winners |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a296264/peoples-choice-awards-2011-the-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614071731/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a296264/peoples-choice-awards-2011-the-winners/ |archive-date=14 June 2020 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"| [[Saturn Awards]]
| [[37th Saturn Awards|June 23, 2011]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Horror Film|Best Horror Film]]
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Saturn Awards">{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |date=24 June 2011 |title=Saturn Awards 2011 - Movie Winners in full |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a326566/saturn-awards-2011-movie-winners-in-full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006202858/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a326566/saturn-awards-2011-movie-winners-in-full/ |archive-date=6 October 2019 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| rowspan="5"| [[2010 Teen Choice Awards|August 8, 2010]]
| Choice Movie Actor: Action
| [[Nicolas Cage]]
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2010 |title=Teen Choice Awards 2010: Winners and Nominees |url=https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/zap-teen-choice-2010-nominees-winners-link-photogallery.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713184511/https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/zap-teen-choice-2010-nominees-winners-link-photogallery.html |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[The Morning Call]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stransky |first=Tanner |date=9 August 2010 |title=2010 Teen Choice Awards winners announced |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/08/09/teen-choice-awards-winners-201/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008141357/https://ew.com/article/2010/08/09/teen-choice-awards-winners-201/ |archive-date=8 October 2015 |access-date=22 December 2022 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain|Choice Movie: Villain]]
| [[Christopher Mintz-Plasse]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie - Action|Choice Movie: Action]]
| ''Kick-Ass''
| {{nom}}
|-
| Choice Movie: Female Breakout Star
| [[Chloë Grace Moretz]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Choice Movie: Male Breakout Star
| [[Aaron Taylor-Johnson|Aaron Johnson]]
| {{nom}}
|}


==Release==
In the United Kingdom ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film extensive coverage by several of its critics and journalists.<ref>{{cite news | title = Kick-Ass: Britain's debt to American action films is underlined by this violent comedy about a superhero with no superpowers | publisher = [[The Guardian]] | url =
===Home media===
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/movie/135252/kick-ass | accessdate = 2010-04-10 | location=London | date=12 March 2010}}</ref>
In an interview, Matthew Vaughn said, "There is about 18 minutes of [deleted] footage, which is really good stuff. If the film is a hit, I'll do an extended cut."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wigler|first=Josh|title='Kick-Ass' Deleted Scenes... Revealed!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2596481/kick-ass-deleted-scenes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206114604/http://www.mtv.com/news/2596481/kick-ass-deleted-scenes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2016|access-date=2020-07-20|website=MTV News|language=en}}</ref>
[[Peter Bradshaw]] called the film an "explosion in a bad taste factory" and a "thoroughly outrageous, jaw-droppingly violent and very funny riff on the quasi-porn world of comic books – except that there is absolutely no 'quasi-' about it."<ref>{{cite news | title = Kick-Ass: A hilarious, very violent black comedy puts a new twist on superheroics | publisher=[[The Guardian]] | author = Peter Bradshaw | date=31 March 2010 | url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/mar/31/kick-ass-review-film | accessdate=2010-04-10 | location=London}} {{Rating|5|5}}</ref>
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 3 August 2010 in North America.
[[Philip French]], writing for ''The Guardian'''s Sunday associate paper ''[[The Observer]]'', called the film "relentlessly violent" with "the foulest mouthed child ever to appear on screen, [who makes] [[Louis Malle]]'s [[Zazie dans le Métro|Zazie]] sound like Colette" and one "extremely knowing in its appeal to connoisseurs of comic strips and video games."<ref>{{cite news
This version does not contain the aforementioned deleted content.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marshall|first=Rick|title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Kick-Ass' DVD & Blu-Ray Specs Revealed, Plus A Special Feature Sneak Peek!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2596818/kick-ass-dvd-blu-ray-specs-plus-a-special-feature-sneak-peek/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222235607/http://www.mtv.com/news/2596818/kick-ass-dvd-blu-ray-specs-plus-a-special-feature-sneak-peek/|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2018|access-date=2020-07-20|website=MTV News|language=en}}</ref>
| date=4 April 2010
Selling 1.4&nbsp;million units within its first week, one-third of these in Blu-ray format, ''Kick-Ass'' debuted at number one on the DVD sales chart.<ref>{{cite news
| first = Philip | last = French
| url = https://www.cnbc.com/2010/08/23/lionsgates-blockbuster-defense-vs-icahn.html
| title = Kick-Ass
| title = Lionsgate's Blockbuster defense vs. Icahn
| work = [[The Guardian]]
| date = 23 August 2010
| url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/apr/04/kickass-film-review
| first = Julia
| accessdate = 2010-04-10
| last = Boorstin
| location=London
| publisher=[[CNBC]]
| access-date =29 August 2010
}}
}}
</ref>
[[David Cox]] noted that the film "kicks the c-word into the mainstream...inadvertently dispatch[ing] our last big expletive."<ref>{{cite news
| date = 2 April 2010
| first = David | last = Cox
| title = Kick-Ass kicks the c-word into the mainstream
| url =
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/apr/02/kick-ass-bad-language
| work = [[The Guardian]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-10
| location=London
}}
</ref>
Tim Robey of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' did not like the film and stated, "Matthew Vaughn’s ''Kick Ass'' is hollow, glazed, and not quite there".<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news
| author = Tim Robey | date=1 April 2010 | title = Kick-Ass, review | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/7545480/Kick-Ass-review.html
| newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | accessdate = 2010-04-10 | location=London}}
{{Rating|1|5}}
</ref>
[[Christopher Tookey]] of ''[[The Daily Mail]]'' warned, "Don't be fooled by the hype: This crime against cinema is twisted, cynical, and revels in the abuse of childhood".<ref>{{cite news
| date= 2 April 2010
| first = Christopher | last = Tookey
| title = Don't be fooled by the hype: This crime against cinema is twisted, cynical, and revels in the abuse of childhood
| url =
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1262948/Kick-Ass-Dont-fooled-hype--This-crime-cinema-twisted-cynical-revels-abuse-childhood.html
| work = [[The Daily Mail]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-10
| location=London
}}
{{Rating|1|5}}
</ref>
Chris Hewitt of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine declared it, "A ridiculously entertaining, perfectly paced, ultra-violent cinematic rush that kicks the places other movies struggle to reach. ... [T]he film’s violence is clearly fantastical and cartoonish and not to be taken seriously."<ref>{{cite journal
| author = Chris Hewitt
| url = http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=135694
| title = ''Kick-Ass'' (review),
| work = ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''
| issue =
| pages =
| ISBN =
}}
{{Rating|5|5}}
</ref>

Both [[A.O. Scott]] and [[Michael Philips]] gave the film their signature "Skip It" rating in their review on ''[[At the Movies]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/index.html |title=At the Movies |author=Buena Vista Entertainment |accessdate=2010-04-14}}</ref> CinemaBlend accused the film of simply rehashing ideas from older superhero films, saying, "It's a subject which has already been covered endlessly by other movies, but Matthew Vaughn's film seems completely unaware of this fact, and bulls its way onward as if it's discovered something new."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/dvds/Kick-Ass-4546.html |title=Kick-Ass - Review |author=Josh Tyler |accessdate=2010-04-12}}</ref>
Karina Longworth was also not impressed with the film's intended satire and themes: "Never as shocking as it thinks it is, as funny as it should be, or as engaged in cultural critique as it could be, ''Kick-Ass'' is half-assed."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-04-13/film/kick-ass-faster-than-a-speeding-internet/ |title=Kick-Ass, Faster Than a Speeding Internet |author=Karina Longworth |accessdate=2010-04-13}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
The film earned over $12 million internationally in advance of opening in the United States.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web
| title = Kick Ass (2010)
| url = http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=kickass.htm
| work = [[Box Office Mojo]]
| publisher = [[Amazon.com]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-12
}}
</ref><ref name="the-numbers">{{cite web
| title = Movie Kick-Ass
| url = http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/KCKAS.php
| work = The Numbers
| accessdate = 2010-04-12
}}
</ref>
On its debut weekend in the United States, it took in $19.8 million in 3,065 theaters, averaging $6,469 per theater.<ref name="mojo" /> ''Kick-Ass'' was reported #1, ahead of ''[[How to Train Your Dragon (film)|How to Train Your Dragon]]'' by $200,000, which was in its third week of release. These numbers for ''Kick-Ass'''s debut weekend gross included non-weekend earnings, as the film was previewed during the Thursday night prior to its release. This has led to the speculation that ''How to Train Your Dragon'' would have been #1 for the weekend of April 16 had these earnings not been counted.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Weekend Box Office Results for April 16–18, 2010
| url = http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2724&p=.htm
| quote = Kick-Ass distributor Lionsgate included the movie's 10 p.m. Thursday previews in the weekend gross, when, objectively, the weekend is Friday-Sunday.
| work = [[Box Office Mojo]]
| publisher = [[Amazon.com]]
| accessdate = 2010-08-02
}}
</ref> The opening week numbers were considered by some analysts and the media to be a disappointment,<ref>{{cite web
| date = 19 April 2010
| first = Jordan
| last = Hoffman
| title = Why Did Kick-Ass Fail to Kick As Much Ass As Expected?
| url = http://www.ugo.com/movies/kick-ass-box-office
| publisher = [[UGO Networks]]
| accessdate=29 August 2010
}}
</ref><!-- Expand --><ref>{{cite news
| date = 2010-04-18
| title = 'Kick-Ass' opens somewhat soft but still may have plenty of kick
| url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/just-because-kick-ass-disappointed-doesnt-mean-its-a-flop.html
| newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-22
}}
</ref> though by others to be "fairly solid."<ref name="mojo-review">{{cite news
| date = 2010-04-19
| author = Brandon Gray
| title = Weekend Report: 'Kick-Ass' Opens Up a Can of Weak Sauce
| url = http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2724&p=.htm
| work = [[Box Office Mojo]]
| publisher = Amazon.com
}}
</ref>

The film's final gross in the U.S. was $48,071,303 and $47,960,570 outside of the U.S.<ref name="mojo" />
It has also made $17,600,000 in DVD sales to bring a total of $113,643,570.
{{Anchors|Awards}}

== Home media ==
{{Anchors|DVD|Video}}
In an interview Matthew Vaughn said, "There is about 18 minutes of [deleted] footage, which is really good stuff. If the film is a hit, I'll do an extended cut."<ref>{{cite video
| date = 2010-04-15
| author = Josh Wigler
| title = 'Kick-Ass' Deleted Scenes... Revealed!
| url = http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/04/15/kick-ass-deleted-scenes/
| work = MTV.com
| publisher = [[Viacom]]
}}
</ref>
The film was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on 3 August 2010 in North America.<ref>{{cite web
| date = 3 August 2010
| first = Nick
| last = McAnulty
| title = Sometimes being a hero takes more than leaping off of tall buildings
| url = http://www.mtv.ca/moviehead/article.jhtml?id=27628
| publisher = [[CTVglobemedia]]
| work = [[MTV Canada]]
| accessdate = 29 August 2010
}}
</ref> However, this version does not contain the aforementioned deleted content.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}
Selling 1.4 million units within its first week, one-third of these in Blu-Ray format, ''Kick-Ass'' debuted at number one on the DVD sales chart.<ref>{{cite news
| url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/38821668
| title=Lionsgate's Blockbuster defense vs. Icahn
| date=23 August 2010
| first=Julia
| last=Boorstin
| publpisher=[[CNBC]]
| accessdate=29 August 2010 }}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| date = 12 August 2010
| date = 12 August 2010
| title = “Kick-Ass” debuts at number one on the DVD sales chart
| title = "Kick-Ass" debuts at number one on the DVD sales chart
| url = http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/08/12/kick-ass-debuts-at-number-one-on-the-dvd-sales-chart/
| url = http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/08/12/kick-ass-debuts-at-number-one-on-the-dvd-sales-chart/
| work = HollywoodNews.com
| work = HollywoodNews.com
| accessdate = 29 August 2010
| access-date = 29 August 2010
| archive-date = 19 December 2016
}}
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161219205127/http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/08/12/kick-ass-debuts-at-number-one-on-the-dvd-sales-chart/
</ref> The discs {{show by date|2010|9|6|will be|were}} released in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.syfy.co.uk/blog/exclusive-kick-ass-concept-art | title=Exclusive - Kick-Ass Concept Art | publisher=[[Syfy (United Kingdom)|Syfy]] | accessdate=29 August 2010 }}</ref>
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The discs were released in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.syfy.co.uk/blog/exclusive-kick-ass-concept-art | title= Exclusive – Kick-Ass Concept Art | publisher= [[Syfy (UK and Ireland)|Syfy]] | access-date= 29 August 2010 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101207031652/http://www.syfy.co.uk/blog/exclusive-kick-ass-concept-art | archive-date= 7 December 2010 | df= dmy-all }}</ref>

After its release on home video, it developed a [[cult following]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/kick-ass-2-aaron-taylor-johnson-talks-comic-book-sequel-and-that-avengers-role/#/0|title='Kick-Ass 2': Aaron Taylor-Johnson returns, 'Avengers' rumors swirl|last=Millar|first=DiAngelea|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=14 August 2013|access-date=28 April 2014}}</ref>


== Video games ==
==Video game==
{{main|Kick-Ass: The Game}}
The video game based on the movie was produced by WHA Entertainment and [[Frozen Codebase]]. It was released through the [[App Store]] on 15 April 2010 for [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]].<ref name="IGNGame">{{cite news
A [[Kick-Ass: The Game|video game based on the film]] was developed by [[Frozen Codebase]]. It was released through the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] on 15 April 2010 for the [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]].<ref name="IGNGame">{{cite news
| date=16 April 2010
|date = 16 April 2010
| url = http://wireless.ign.com/articles/108/1084199p1.html
|url = http://wireless.ign.com/articles/108/1084199p1.html
| title = WHA Entertainment Launches Kick-Ass for Apple iPhone, iTouch, and iPad
|title = WHA Entertainment Launches Kick-Ass for Apple iPhone, iTouch, and iPad
| work = [[IGN]]
|work = [[IGN]]
| publisher = [[News Corporation]]
|publisher = [[Ziff Davis Media]]
| accessdate = 2010-04-19
|access-date = 19 April 2010
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100418162903/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/108/1084199p1.html
|archive-date = 18 April 2010
|df = dmy-all
}}
}}
</ref>
</ref>
The initial Apple platform releases were reportedly unfinished beta versions and were withdrawn from circulation pending a relaunch of a finished version.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Kick-Ass/news.asp?c=20018 | title = Kick-Ass iPhone game suffers early criticism, gets pulled from the App Store | first = Rob | last = Hearn | publisher = Pocket Gamer | date=18 April 2010 | accessdate = 2010-04-19 }}</ref> The game was released on [[PlayStation Network]] on 29 April 2010.<ref name="IGNGame" /> Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Big Daddy are playable characters. The game features [[Facebook]] missions and integration.<ref>{{cite web
The initial Apple platform release was reportedly an unfinished beta version and was withdrawn from circulation pending a relaunch of a finished version.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Kick-Ass/news.asp?c=20018 | title = Kick-Ass iPhone game suffers early criticism, gets pulled from the App Store | first = Rob | last = Hearn | publisher=Pocket Gamer | date=18 April 2010 | access-date =19 April 2010 }}</ref> The game was released on the [[PlayStation Network]] on 29 April 2010.<ref name="IGNGame" /> Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Big Daddy are playable characters. The game features [[Facebook]] missions and integration.<ref>{{cite web
| title = PlayStation Network, iPhone Getting A Kick-Ass Game
| title = PlayStation Network, iPhone Getting A Kick-Ass Game
| date = 23 February 2010
| url = http://kotaku.com/5477740/playstation-network-iphone-getting-a-kick+ass-game
| url = http://kotaku.com/5477740/playstation-network-iphone-getting-a-kick+ass-game
}}
}}
{{Youtube|rxErqessLnA|Kick-Ass movie game – iPhone / PlayStation 3 ( PS3 PSN ) – Hit-Girl gameplay official debut trailer}}
{{YouTube|rxErqessLnA|Kick-Ass movie game – iPhone / PlayStation 3 ( PS3 PSN ) – Hit-Girl gameplay official debut trailer}}
</ref> Both versions of the game received negative reviews.<ref name="meta-game">{{cite web
</ref>
| title = Kick-Ass PlayStation 3
Both versions of the game received poor reviews.<ref name="meta-game">{{cite web
| url = https://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/kickass
| title = Kick-Ass PlayStation 3
| url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/kickass
| work = [[Metacritic]]
| work = [[Metacritic]]
| publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]
| publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]
| access-date = 15 August 2010
| accessdate = 2010-08-15
| archive-date = 5 May 2010
}}
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100505134329/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/kickass
</ref>
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>


== Sequels ==
==Sequels==
{{Anchors|Sequel|Sequels}}
{{Anchor|Sequel|Sequels}}
Director Matthew Vaughn has expressed interest in a sequel.<ref name="vaughn-interview" /> Vaughn also said, "No, we're not [planning a sequel]. If it continues doing well, then we might but I just don't like counting my chickens before the eggs hatched."<ref>{{cite web | date = 6 April 2010 | title = "Kick-Ass Sequel Delayed" | url = http://movies.sky.com/kick-ass-sequel-delayed | work = Sky movies | publisher = | accessdate = 2010-04-06 }}</ref>
Moretz is enthusiastic about the idea of a sequel and said she would love to reprise the role of Hit-Girl.<ref name="mtv-moretz" />
On 16 March 2010, Mark Millar said he would begin writing a sequel comic book in April.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Millar talks up Kick-Ass 2
| url = http://www.totalfilm.com/news/millar-talks-up-kick-ass-2
| work = [[Total Film]]
}}
</ref>


=== ''Kick-Ass 2'' ===
On 9 April 2010, Millar revealed details for the second series, which he said would involve criminals taking on supervillain personae to counter the superheroes, and Hit-Girl trying to lead a normal life.<ref>{{cite video
{{Main|Kick-Ass 2 (film)}}
| date = April 9, 2010
Despite various setbacks and uncertainty as to whether the sequel would ever materialize, on 8 May 2012, it was reported that a sequel would be distributed by [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]], and that Matthew Vaughn had chosen [[Jeff Wadlow]], who also wrote the script, to direct the sequel.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/universal-kick-ass-2-matthew-vaughn-mark-millar-321688 | title=Universal in Talks for 'Kick-Ass 2' | first=Borys | last=Kit | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=8 May 2012 | access-date=9 May 2012}}</ref> Aaron Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz reprise their roles as Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl, respectively,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/universal-close-to-kick-ass-2-deals-with-aaron-johnson-chloe-moretz-more-280309/|title=Universal Close To 'Kick-Ass 2′ Deals With Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, Others|magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> and Christopher Mintz-Plasse returns as the main villain, going by the name of "the Motherfucker".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hasty|first=Katie|date=2012-07-13|title=Christopher Mintz-Plasse confirms 'Kick-Ass 2' start, talks 'Superbad 2'|url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/christopher-mintz-plasse-confirms-kick-ass-2-start-talks-superbad-2/|access-date=2020-07-20|website=UPROXX|language=en-US}}</ref> The film, titled ''[[Kick-Ass 2 (film)|Kick-Ass 2]]'', was released on 14 August 2013 in the United Kingdom and on 16 August 2013 in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.filmdates.co.uk/films/2456-kick-ass-2/ | title = Kick-Ass 2 &#124; UK Cinema Release Date | publisher = Filmdates.co.uk | access-date = 22 July 2013}}</ref>
| url = http://movies.ign.com/dor/objects/32667/kick-ass-2/videos/MarkMillar_KickAss2.html
| title = Kick-Ass 2 Movie Interview
| work = [[IGN]]
| publisher = [[News Corporation]]
}} (Video) </ref>


=== ''Stuntnuts Does School Fight'' ===
In a 31 August interview with [[Richard Bacon (TV presenter)|Richard Bacon]] on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], Millar suggested that a sequel might have been given a go-ahead, speculating, "The estimate is [''Kick-Ass''] will do 100 to 150 million on DVD based on the American sales, you know, so it'll end up making a quarter of a billion on a 28 million investment. So it should be okay. So the sequel's green-lit, we can go ahead and do the follow up now, you know. The first made so much compared to what it cost it would be crazy not to."<ref>{{cite web
{{Main|Stuntnuts Does School Fight}}
| date = August 31, 2010
In January 2024, [[Matthew Vaughn]] announced that a third ''Kick-Ass'' film, titled ''[[Stuntnuts Does School Fight]]'' and directed by [[Damien Walters]], had secretly been greenlit, cast, and had completed filming, set to release later that year.<ref name="Future_Collider">{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/kick-ass-3-reboot|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|title='Kick-Ass' Reboot Will Be Part of a New Trilogy [Exclusive]|last=Massoto|first=Erick|date=January 24, 2024|access-date=January 24, 2024}}</ref>
| last1 = Connelly | first1 = Brendon

| url = http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/08/31/millar-says-kick-ass-2-has-been-greenlit-tony-scott-is-going-after-johnny-depp-and-brad-pitt/
==See also==
| title = Millar Says ''Kick-Ass 2'' Has Been Greenlit, Tony Scott Is 'Going After' Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt
* ''[[Kick-Ass: Music from the Motion Picture]]''
| work = BleedingCool.com
* [[Vigilante film]]
}} includes transcription of portion of radio interview.

</ref>
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote|Kick-Ass}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://kickass-themovie.com/}}
* {{Official website|http://kickass-themovie.com/}}
* {{IMDB title|1250777|Kick-Ass}}
* {{IMDb title|1250777}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{Amg title|468124|Kick-Ass}}
* {{mojo title|kickass|Kick-Ass}}
* {{mojo title|kickass}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|1217700|Kick-Ass}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1217700-kick_ass}}
* {{metacritic film|kickass|Kick-Ass}}
* {{YouTube|u=kickass}}
* {{top250 movie|id=1250777|title=Kick-Ass}}


{{Kick-Ass & Hit-Girl}}
{{Matthew Vaughn}}
{{Matthew Vaughn}}
{{Plan B Entertainment}}
{{Mark Millar|type=film}}
{{Mark Millar|type=film}}
{{Marvel Comics films}}
{{Marvel Comics films}}
{{Empire Award for Best British Film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}}
{{Portal bar|Film|United States|Speculative fiction|Comics|Comedy|United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 00:34, 22 December 2024

Kick-Ass
The foreground features the titular superhero, Kick-Ass, along side three other superheroes, against a black background with the film's title .
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMatthew Vaughn
Screenplay by
Based on
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBen Davis
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 12 March 2010 (2010-03-12) (SXSW)
  • 26 March 2010 (2010-03-26) (United Kingdom)
  • 16 April 2010 (2010-04-16) (United States)
Running time
118 minutes[3]
CountriesUnited Kingdom
United States[4]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$28–30 million[5][6]
Box office$96.2 million[6]

Kick-Ass is a 2010 superhero black comedy film directed by Matthew Vaughn from a screenplay by Jane Goldman and Vaughn. It is based on the Marvel Comics's comic book of the same name[a] by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr,[7] and is the first film in the Kick-Ass franchise.

It tells the story of an ordinary teenager, Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), who sets out to become a real-life superhero, calling himself "Kick-Ass". Dave gets caught up in a bigger fight when he meets Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage), a former cop who, in his quest to bring down the crime boss Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong) and his son Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), has trained his eleven-year-old daughter (Chloë Grace Moretz) to be the ruthless vigilante Hit-Girl.

The film was released in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2010, by Universal Pictures, and in the United States on 16 April, by Lionsgate. Despite having generated some controversy for its profanity and strong violence performed by a child, Kick-Ass was well received by both critics and audiences. In 2011 it won the Empire Award for Best British Film. The film has gained a large cult following since its release on DVD and Blu-ray.

A sequel, written and directed by Jeff Wadlow and produced by Vaughn, was released in August 2013, with Johnson, Mintz-Plasse, and Moretz reprising their roles. In January 2024, Vaughn announced that a third film, titled Stuntnuts Does School Fight and directed by Damien Walters, had secretly been greenlit, cast, and had completed filming.[8]

Plot

[edit]

Dave Lizewski is an ordinary teenager who lives in Staten Island, New York. Inspired by comic books, Dave plans to become a real-life superhero. He purchases and modifies a scuba diving suit and arms himself with batons. During his first outing, he gets stabbed and hit by a car. After recovering, he gains a capacity to endure pain and enhanced durability due to having some bones replaced with metal. In his absence from school, a rumor spreads that he is gay. As a result, his longtime crush, Katie Deauxma, immediately attempts to become his friend. Unhappy with the misunderstanding, Dave nevertheless appreciates the opportunity to get closer to Katie.

Dave returns to crime-fighting and gains notoriety after saving a man from a gang attack. Calling himself "Kick-Ass", he sets up a Myspace account where he can be contacted for help. Responding to a request from Katie, he confronts a drug dealer, Rasul, who has been harassing her. At Rasul's place, Kick-Ass is quickly overwhelmed by Rasul's thugs. Before they can kill him, two costumed vigilantes, Hit-Girl and her father, Big Daddy, intervene, easily slaughter the thugs and leave with their money. After coming home, Dave realizes he is in over his head and plans to give up crime-fighting. However, Hit-Girl and Big Daddy pay him a visit and encourage him.

Big Daddy's real identity is Damon Macready, formerly an honest cop. Framed by Mafia boss Frank D'Amico, he was jailed. His wife committed suicide, leaving behind his daughter, Mindy. Against the protest of his former partner Marcus Williams, Damon trains himself and Mindy in preparation for getting revenge on Frank. They have been undermining Frank's operations by raiding his warehouses, robbing his money and destroying his drugs. Frank believes Kick-Ass is responsible for the attacks and targets him, though he mistakenly kills a party entertainer who is dressed like Kick-Ass. Frank's son Chris suggests a different approach and poses himself as a new vigilante named "Red Mist" and befriends Kick-Ass.

Chris plans to lure Kick-Ass into Frank's lumber warehouse and unmask him. However, they find the warehouse on fire and Frank's men dead. Red Mist retrieves a hidden camera he earlier placed in the warehouse, and he sees recorded footage of Big Daddy killing the men and burning the warehouse. Red Mist and Kick-Ass part ways. Frank watches the footage and learns of Big Daddy. Following the event, Dave decides to quit being Kick-Ass. He reveals his identity to Katie and clears up the misunderstanding about him being gay. She forgives him and becomes his girlfriend. However, Red Mist contacts him again and tricks him into revealing Big Daddy and Hit-Girl's location.

At one of Big Daddy's safe houses, Red Mist shoots Hit-Girl out of a window, and Frank's men capture Big Daddy and Kick-Ass. Frank intends to have his thugs torture and execute his captives in a live Internet broadcast, despite Chris's protests to let Kick-Ass go. While Kick-Ass and Big Daddy are being beaten by Frank's gangsters, Hit-Girl, having survived the shooting, storms the hideout and kills all the gangsters. During the fight, one thug sets Big Daddy on fire. Big Daddy and Mindy say a tearful farewell before he dies of his burns. Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl resolve to defeat Frank once and for all. Hit-Girl infiltrates Frank's headquarters and kills numerous guards and henchmen before running out of bullets.

When Hit-Girl is cornered by the thugs, Kick-Ass arrives on a jet pack fitted with miniguns and kills the remaining thugs. Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl then take on Frank and Red Mist. Kick-Ass fights Red Mist, which results in them knocking each other out. Frank overpowers an exhausted Hit-Girl. Before he can kill her, Kick-Ass regains consciousness and blasts Frank out of the window with a bazooka, killing him. Red Mist then regains consciousness, grabs his father's samurai sword, and pursues Kick-Ass in order to continue their fight just in time to see Kick-Ass and Hit Girl fly away on the jet pack.

Dave and Mindy retire from crime-fighting; Marcus becomes Mindy's guardian again, and she enrolls at Dave's school. Meanwhile, Chris sits in his father's office, dressed in an upgraded suit, preparing to seek revenge on Kick-Ass for killing his father. Facing the camera, he says, "As a great man once said, 'Wait'll they get a load of me'", before firing a gun at the screen.

Cast

[edit]

Series-creator Millar, a native of Scotland, asked Scottish television children's-show host Glen Michael to make a cameo appearance[9] although his role was cut from the film.[10] Millar was also set to make a cameo as a Scottish alcoholic but the scene was cut from the film.[11] WCBS-TV news reporters Maurice DuBois, Dana Tyler, and Lou Young make cameo appearances along with Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee.

An image of Matthew Vaughn's wife, model Claudia Schiffer, appears prominently on a billboard poster.[12][13] John Romita Jr. appears without his face being shown: "I was a barista. ... [T]hey asked me to look at the camera, then turn and turn the television on with a remote control. And then they edited out my face! I laughed and laughed — I was the only authentic New Yorker in the scene and they edited out my face for not looking authentic enough! Then the producer, Tarquin Pack ... changed my first name to Tony: Tony Romita. 'Why'd you do that?' I asked. 'Well, "Johnny Romita" wasn't tough enough.'"[14]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The rights to a film version of the first volume of the comic book series were sold before the first issue was published.[15] Developed in parallel, the film writers took a different story direction, to reach many of the same conclusions. Comic book writer Mark Millar acknowledges the differences, explaining that a comic usually has eight acts, while a film usually has a three-act structure.[16] Millar initially considered having American Jesus adapted and communicated to Matthew Vaughn about that concept, but Vaughn switched to Kick Ass after Millar mentioned it and sent some materials to Vaughn.[17]

Vaughn said that, "We wrote the script and the comic at the same time so it was a very sort of collaborative, organic process. I met [Millar] at the premiere of Stardust. We got on really well. I knew who he was and what he had done but I didn't know him. He pitched me the idea. I said, 'That's great!' He then wrote a synopsis. I went, 'That's great, let's go do it now! You write the comic, I'll write the script.'"[18] Jane Goldman, one of the screenwriters, said that when she works with Vaughn she does the "construction work" and the "interior designing" while Vaughn acts as the "architect."[19]

With Kick-Ass, the book's just out and now the movie's out six weeks later. And I think that's the way things are going to go now, because to go to Marvel's B and C-list characters and try to get movies out [of] them; what's the point of that?

Millar said that screenwriters Goldman and Vaughn had made a "chick flick", having placed more emphasis on the character emotions and particularly in having softened the character of Katie Deauxma.[21] Millar stated that a film audience would have difficulty accepting Dave and Katie not being together, while a comic audience would more easily accept that idea.[16] Frank Lovece of Film Journal International said that Katie is "much less Mean Girls" in the film than in the comic and that the romance between Dave and Katie "proves a needed counterbalance to the otherwise pervasive sense of optimism being stripped away layer by layer, down below angry cynicism and headed straight down the hole to nihilism".[22] Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times said "the romance provides an appealing backdrop that the more unnerving aspects of the film play out against."[23] Other changes included having Red Mist be known to be a secret antagonist from the start, as well as making him less outright villainous, and D'Amico's mob initially thinking Kick-Ass is the one slaughtering their men.

Creator Mark Millar signing posters for the movie and copies of the comics sequel, Kick-Ass 2, during an appearance at Midtown Comics in Manhattan.

In the original comic-book, Big Daddy is characterised not as an ex-cop, but as a former accountant who had been motivated to fight crime by a desire to escape from his life and by his love of comic books. In the film, his purported origin and motivations are genuine: writer Mark Millar stated that the revelation about Big Daddy's background would not have worked in the film adaptation and "would have ruined the movie."[24]

The comic's artist, John Romita, Jr., stated that Big Daddy's story in the film "works better stopping short ... You love him better in the film".[25]

The climax to the film differs significantly from the comics, with the use of the jetpack and rocket launcher: Millar called this "necessary" as "we're building up so much stuff that we needed some Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star moment".[24] Comic writer Stephen Grant argued that the film "cheated" on its premise of a "real life" superhero by having these increasingly fantastic events and that this is "why it works. That's where much of the humor comes from ... when the film finally makes the notion [the fantasy] explicit we're already so deep into the magician's act that our instinct is to play along".[26]

Vaughn initially went to Sony, which distributed Layer Cake, but he rejected calls to tone down the violence. Other studios expressed interest but wanted to make the characters older.[27] In particular, studios wanted to change Hit-Girl's character into an adult.[28] Goldman said that while studio executives said that it would be less offensive to portray Hit-Girl as a teenager, Goldman argued that it would have been more offensive since, as a teenager, Hit-Girl would have been sexualized. Goldman said that Hit-Girl was not supposed to be sexualized.[29]

Vaughn had a little trouble adapting to film, as the film had no studio. The big studios doubted the success of an adaptation as a violent superhero, which made the film be independently financed, but this gave him the freedom to make the film the way he imagined, without having to worry about high censorship. Vaughn believed enough in the project to raise the money himself.[27] Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Red Mist) said that the creators of the film were wondering whether a distributor would pick up the movie. On the set Vaughn jokingly referred to Kick-Ass as something that was going to be "the most expensive home movie I ever made".[28] On 18 August 2009, it was announced that the film had been acquired for distribution in the United States and Canada by Lionsgate.[30]

The 2D/3D animated comic book sequence in the film took almost two years to finish. Romita created the pencils, Tom Palmer did the inks, and Dean White did the colours. Vaughn gave Romita a carte blanche on the art direction of the sequence.[31]

Filming

[edit]

Filming locations included Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Dip 'N' Sip Donuts on Kingston Road in Toronto,[32] Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School,[33] and "many Toronto landmarks that play cameos";[32] and various locations in the United Kingdom, including Elstree Studios.[34] The opening sequence with Nicolas Cage was filmed in a sewage plant in east London.[24]

The Atomic Comics store in the film is based on the now-defunct real-life Arizona-based chain whose owner, Millar said, is a friend of artist John Romita Jr.[24] Millar asked Mike Malve for permission to use Atomic Comics in the film, and a model version of Atomic Comics was created at the London pilot studio for use in the filming.[35]

Reaction

[edit]

In January 2010, an uncensored preview clip of the film was attacked by family advocacy groups for its display of violence and use of the line "Okay, you cunts, let's see what you can do now," delivered by Chloë Grace Moretz, who was 12 years old at the time of filming. Australian Family Association spokesman John Morrissey said that "the language [was] offensive and the values inappropriate; without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes".[36]

Moretz stated in an interview, "If I ever uttered one word that I said in Kick-Ass, I would be grounded for years! I'd be stuck in my room until I was 20! I would never in a million years say that. I'm an average, everyday girl."[37] Moretz has said that while filming, she could not bring herself to say the film's title out loud in interviews, instead calling it "the film" in public and "Kick-Butt" at home.[38]

Christopher Mintz-Plasse notes a hypocrisy that people were angry about the language but did not seem to be offended that Hit-Girl kills numerous people.[39]

Ratings

[edit]

In an interview with Total Film, Aaron Johnson confirmed that the film stays true to the adult nature of the comic series by featuring a large amount of profanity and graphic violence. The film received an R rating by the MPAA for "strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use—some involving children", and it received a 15 rating from the BBFC.[3][40] Director Matthew Vaughn felt the 15 certificate was about right and expressed some surprise at the film having received a "PG rating [sic]" in France.[21]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

The film earned over $12 million internationally in advance of opening in the United States.[5][6] On its debut weekend in the United States it took in $19.8 million in 3,065 theaters, averaging $6,469 per theater.[6] Kick-Ass was reported number one, ahead of How to Train Your Dragon by $200,000, which was in its third week of release. On Saturday, 17 April 2010, it fell down to number three behind How To Train Your Dragon and Date Night. On Sunday, 2 May 2010, it fell down behind A Nightmare on Elm Street, How To Train Your Dragon, Furry Vengeance, The Back-Up Plan, Date Night, Clash of the Titans and The Losers. These numbers for Kick-Ass's debut weekend gross included non-weekend earnings, as the film was previewed during the Thursday night prior to its release.[41] The film's final gross in the U.S. was $48,071,303 and $48,117,600 outside of the U.S. with a worldwide gross of $96,188,903.[6]

The film was listed among the most infringed films of 2010; according to statistics on TorrentFreak, the film was illegally downloaded over 11.4 million times, second only to Avatar.[42]

Critical response

[edit]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 77% based on 268 reviews and an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Not for the faint of heart, Kick-Ass takes the comic adaptation genre to new levels of visual style, bloody violence, and gleeful profanity."[43] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 38 mainstream critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[44] American audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[45]

In the United Kingdom, The Guardian gave the film extensive coverage by several of its critics and journalists.[46] Peter Bradshaw gave the film 5/5 stars and called it an "explosion in a bad taste factory" and a "thoroughly outrageous, jaw-droppingly violent and very funny riff on the quasi-porn world of comic books; except that there is absolutely no 'quasi' about it."[47] Philip French, writing for The Observer, called the film "relentlessly violent" with "the foulest-mouthed child ever to appear on screen, [who makes] Louis Malle's Zazie sound like Cosette" and one "extremely knowing in its appeal to connoisseurs of comic strips and video games."[13] David Cox wrote an article published in The Guardian, saying that the film "kicks the c-word into the mainstream [...] has inadvertently dispatched our last big expletive."[48]

Chris Hewitt of Empire magazine gave the film 5/5 and declared it, "A ridiculously entertaining, perfectly paced, ultra-violent cinematic rush that kicks the places other movies struggle to reach. ... the film's violence is clearly fantastical and cartoonish and not to be taken seriously."[49]

Critics who enjoyed the film generally singled out its audacity, humour, and performances of the cast. Peter Howell of the Toronto Star gave Kick-Ass a top rating, writing that the production "succeeds as a violent fantasy about our perilous and fretful times, where regular citizens feel compelled to take action against a social order rotting from within."[50] USA Today critic Claudia Puig praised Moretz as "terrific ... Even as she wields outlandish weaponry, she comes off as adorable."[51] Manohla Dargis from The New York Times wrote, "Fast, periodically spit-funny and often grotesquely violent, the film at once embraces and satirizes contemporary action-film clichés with Tarantino-esque self-regard."[52] Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B+, but noted that "personally, I just wish that the film had ended up a bit less of an over-the-top action ride."[53]

Other reviews were more negative. Roger Ebert found the film highly offensive and "morally reprehensible", giving it one out of four stars. He cited the coarse language and violence, particularly the scene in which Hit-Girl is nearly killed by D'Amico. "When kids in the age range of this movie's home video audience are shooting one another every day in America, that kind of stops being funny." Ebert's only notes of praise were for the performances of Cage, Johnson and Moretz. The movie made that week's "Your Movie Sucks" list of one-star movies.[54]

Tim Robey of The Daily Telegraph did not like the film either, rating it 1/5 and stating, "Matthew Vaughn's Kick Ass is hollow, glazed, and not quite there".[55]

Karina Longworth writing for The Village Voice, was not impressed with the film's intended satire and themes: "Never as shocking as it thinks it is, as funny as it should be, or as engaged in cultural critique as it could be, Kick-Ass is half-assed."[56]

Accolades

[edit]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
The Comedy Awards March 26, 2011 Comedy Film Kick-Ass Nominated [57]
[58]
Comedy Actress – Film Chloë Grace Moretz Nominated
Comedy Screenplay Kick-Ass Nominated
Comedy Director – Film Matthew Vaughn Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 14, 2011 Best Action Movie Kick-Ass Nominated [59]
Best Young Performer Chloë Grace Moretz Nominated
Empire Awards March 27, 2011 Best Film Kick-Ass Nominated [60]
Best Actor Aaron Johnson Nominated
Best Director Matthew Vaughn Nominated
Best British Film Kick-Ass Won
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Nominated
Best Newcomer Chloë Grace Moretz (also for Let Me In) Won
MTV Movie Awards June 5, 2011 Best Breakout Star Chloë Grace Moretz Won [61]
[62]
Biggest Badass Star Won
Best Fight Chloë Grace Moretz vs. Mark Strong Nominated
People's Choice Award January 5, 2011 Favorite Action Movie Kick-Ass Nominated [63]
[64]
Saturn Awards June 23, 2011 Best Horror Film Kick-Ass Nominated [65]
Teen Choice Awards August 8, 2010 Choice Movie Actor: Action Nicolas Cage Nominated [66]
[67]
Choice Movie: Villain Christopher Mintz-Plasse Nominated
Choice Movie: Action Kick-Ass Nominated
Choice Movie: Female Breakout Star Chloë Grace Moretz Nominated
Choice Movie: Male Breakout Star Aaron Johnson Nominated

Release

[edit]

Home media

[edit]

In an interview, Matthew Vaughn said, "There is about 18 minutes of [deleted] footage, which is really good stuff. If the film is a hit, I'll do an extended cut."[68] The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 3 August 2010 in North America. This version does not contain the aforementioned deleted content.[69] Selling 1.4 million units within its first week, one-third of these in Blu-ray format, Kick-Ass debuted at number one on the DVD sales chart.[70][71] The discs were released in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2010.[72]

After its release on home video, it developed a cult following.[73]

Video game

[edit]

A video game based on the film was developed by Frozen Codebase. It was released through the App Store on 15 April 2010 for the iPhone and iPod Touch.[74] The initial Apple platform release was reportedly an unfinished beta version and was withdrawn from circulation pending a relaunch of a finished version.[75] The game was released on the PlayStation Network on 29 April 2010.[74] Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Big Daddy are playable characters. The game features Facebook missions and integration.[76] Both versions of the game received negative reviews.[77]

Sequels

[edit]

Kick-Ass 2

[edit]

Despite various setbacks and uncertainty as to whether the sequel would ever materialize, on 8 May 2012, it was reported that a sequel would be distributed by Universal Studios, and that Matthew Vaughn had chosen Jeff Wadlow, who also wrote the script, to direct the sequel.[78] Aaron Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz reprise their roles as Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl, respectively,[79] and Christopher Mintz-Plasse returns as the main villain, going by the name of "the Motherfucker".[80] The film, titled Kick-Ass 2, was released on 14 August 2013 in the United Kingdom and on 16 August 2013 in the United States.[81]

Stuntnuts Does School Fight

[edit]

In January 2024, Matthew Vaughn announced that a third Kick-Ass film, titled Stuntnuts Does School Fight and directed by Damien Walters, had secretly been greenlit, cast, and had completed filming, set to release later that year.[8]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Later retitled to Book One of Kick-Ass: The Dave Lizewski Years

References

[edit]
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  3. ^ a b "Kick-Ass". British Board of Film Classification. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010. Contains strong language, once very strong, & strong bloody comic violence
  4. ^ "Kick-Ass". British Film Institute. London. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
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