Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Kick-Ass is a superhero action/comedy based on a popular comic book that kids will be eager to see. But be prepared: It features teen characters, and -- most notably -- an 11-year-old girl who dole out extreme violence (think slo-mo Matrix-style bloody gunshots to the head) and language (including "f--k" and "c--t" out of the mouth of the 11-year-old). Expect some conspicuous sex scenes between teens and references to drugs. It has some arguably good messages about taking action instead of standing by when bad stuff happens, but it also has a relentless, darkly humorous mean streak. Due to a strong marketing campaign, very positive buzz, and good early reviews, parents are going to have a tough time keeping teens away from this one.
Sexual
Content
Aside from endless sex jokes and sex talk, the hero looks at naked women (National Geographic-style women in native dress) on the Internet and prepares to masturbate. There is kissing and breast-grabbing. A teen fantasizes about having sex with his well-endowed teacher and we see her in her bra (in a daydream). Later in the film, the hero and a teen girl have fast, loudly passionate sex in an alley behind a comic book store though no nudity appears on screen.
Violence
We're talking extreme comic book-style violence with some blood. The main character is transformed after two thugs beat him up and he stumbles into the path of an oncoming car. The 11-year-old Hit Girl is perhaps more skilled and deadly than any other character, and racks up a large body count. In one highly stylized scene she wraps a bad guy around the neck with a cord to make him shoot himself through the head. Otherwise, the movie is filled with fantasy fighting, with knives and billy clubs, and many of the blows feel more real and painful than in a standard superhero movie. There are also tons of weapons (one character has his own arsenal), including a bazooka and a kind of armed jet pack. One character is burned.
Language
The movie features almost constant swearing, including some from the mouth of an 11-year-old girl. Words include all the variations on "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "c--k," "c--ksucker," "dick," "balls," "t-ts," "p---y," "c--t," "ass," "asshole," "Jesus," "Christ," "retard," and "douche." (Not to mention the title itself.)
Social
Behavior
Despite the movie's main theme of taking action and doing something, becoming involved, rather than simply standing by and watching horrible things happen, the methods by which the characters "do something" are questionable at best. And the inclusion of the young girl spewing extremely strong language and gunfire sends a confusing and disturbing message. But nestled in among the violence and foul language, there are also issues of trust, and working together, and the question of whether bravery and recklessness alone can make one a superhero.
Consumerism
Part of a popular comic book franchise. Several brands are mentioned or shown, but not in an overt or meaningful way. They include Pepsi, MySpace, the GMC logo, Welch's jelly, and Slurpee. A Hellboy logo can be seen in the comic book shop.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
An adult gangster is a drug dealer, and his teenage son -- who becomes "Red Mist" -- wants to become involved in the family business. Drugs are seen and discussed.
