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The new red band trailer for "Kick-Ass" (embedded after the jump) is stirring up some chaos on the interwebs. While we happen to think the girl-kicking-butt-and-taking-names routine is awesome however Hollywood dishes it out, many of the more conservative movie-goers and Internet-trailer-watchdogs aren't so happy with the unwholesome talk and intense violence. (If you didn't know -- some of us didn't -- a red band trailer can only be shown during an R-rated movie.)
The problem? The gun-slinging character who used the F-bomb and C-word isn't co-star Nicolas Cage, but 12-year-old Chloe Moretz (who also appeared as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's wise kid sister in "500 Days of Summer").
Those angered by the trailer are taking to YouTube, IMDb.com and wherever else they can rant and rave (in G-rated language, we presume) about the inappropriateness of allowing such a young lady to say and do such things. But while it may not be a surprising argument, it is a rather pointless one.
First off, we aren't Moretz's parents, from whom she presumably had to get permission to do the film. If they're okay with it, it really isn't any of our business how they raise their kid. Secondly, we all know we can't police Hollywood. This isn't the first - nor will it be the last - time that a young star has been used in a controversial role. Thirdly, the film is an adaptation of a popular Marvel comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. that features a young woman kicking butt and calling names.
But, perhaps most importantly, there won't be any tween holding a gun to your head to make you see a movie you don't feel like/want to/agree with seeing, so we say, let the trailer roll, and let your ticket purchase -- or lack thereof -- speak for its filthy self.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below what you think of the trailer for "Kick-Ass" and the controversy behind it. And now that that's settled, let's bitch about about a trailer that's honest-to-God terrible. (Legion, anyone? )
"Kick-Ass" is directed by Matthew Vaughn and also stars Aaron Johnson and Christopher "McLovin" Mintz-Plasse. The film opens in April, and the trailer is pretty violent and, clearly, Not Safe for Work.
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Sunday 10 January
By Luey Ciphera
I think it looks like a cute movie one that the whole family could enjoy, and if I had a talented young lady like that going through the streets and beating up gang members and making the streets safe once again for older people like myself, I would be very grateful. Im just fuckin with ya, Im not that old. I thought the trailer kicked ass, and I feel if her parents let her play the role, well, she is their child, let them raise her the way they want to, and be in whatever movies they let her be in. It's really none of our business. If people want to be cunts about it, then let them. I guess as most everyone, they too have mommies and daddies that raised them to be outstanding citizens for the world to take note and strive to be like. Whether or not we agree with their G-rated ways of life as a model of our own, makes no difference in what the final outcome of how popular the movie is going to be. Awesome trailer, awesome scenes, awesome young actress, and Nick Cage! Hell yea! Cant go wrong there. Love that guy!
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Sunday 10 January
By s.green
its from a comic book kiddies. In comics anything can and should happen. Matter of fact most of the coming hit movies are going to be from them. Kick Ass is a character in the book as is Hit Girl. There you have your answers. Move on.
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Sunday 10 January
By Justin
Every Calm down hollywood is made for situations like this they come out with movies to get peopl eall crazy and then when you go and see it most be dissapointed. Its okay America to have different opinions about this movie but as I would love to agree with People on how its wrong that this young girl is using this type of langue. We have to face the fact that it's 2010 kids are bad as hell and they say and do as they please when the parent isn't around. and Its not like we haven't seen children curse before on screen so lets all get a hold of our selves there are much bigger situations out there then some 12 year old girl cursing that right there is just petty and adults shouldn't look at it no different. hollywood is hollywood and this is what real kids do on the regualar they curse shoot guns if they can get thier hands on it and they are bad as hell. go see the movie and get over your shock of the trailer. Like ya'll asses never seen children cuss before Man please give america a break.
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Sunday 10 January
By 123456switch
1. this movie is rated r-which means children cant just waltz in. for those who look older and can pass, well parents...you might actually have to lift a finger on that one. when i was growing up (24 now) my parents monitored what media i was exposed to, exactly because of things like this.
2. previous points are exactly correct, it happens anyways. in fact, worse happens. if i had a 12 yr old, id rather hear her say c--- than drop out of school to be a mother. or to do drugs.
3. this is easy to forget, but she didnt ACTUALLY shoot anyone-its fake. its all pretend for her job. and this job pays well. think shes going to need to worry about college tuition? nope.
4. maybe c---isnt the most woman friendly word, but i like seeing a girl fighting crime-and winning-and who takes charge. better than the "girl power" of the spice world, where wearing short skirts and flirting to a camera was the way to get ahead. besides, this girl might have been sarcastic-like those guys called her that on the way in. its a trailer-quotes are often out of context.
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Sunday 10 January
By Anthony
i don think its such a bad thing i mean after all it is just a fantasy movie role for mature audiences. I mean obviously the childs mother signed off on it people just love to create "hype" and unneeded drama for antention i think this will be a great action/humor movie
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Sunday 10 January
By Lcpl
HOORAH... Somebody has to have the brass to what needs to be done maybe thats what all of you are missing you live in a dream world. You shouldn't numb yourself to the fact that sometimes your world isn't the right one. whoever came up with this is idea is probably on my side. Beyond all that, tac like beauty is in the eye of the beholder... Enjoy all you conservative ones... Semper Fidelis
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Tuesday 12 January
By m10jm
As has been stated, this movie is based off a comic book series called surprisingly "Kick-Ass". Early issues have sold out and been reprinted. It has sold quite a few copies, so it has made money. Someone pitched this to Hollywood, now they want to make money. I have no doubt it will make some good coin when it hits the theaters, even more when the unrated DVD or Blu-ray is released. It won't make as much as it's potential because it will not get as much money because kids will be buying tickets to see "How to Train Your Dragon", but sneaking into "Kick-Ass". To all you parents who just drop their kids off at the theater just to have them out of your hair for a while, WAKE UP, this is what your kids are doing! I go to a lot of movies, I see this all the time. I do agree that the regular trailer makes this movie seem kid friendly, but it is not. Just like the comic, this movie is aimed at mature audiences.
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Sunday 10 January
By AC
OMG! Our priorities! She slips the F word past, casually, one time but shoots at least ten people in that trailer. OK. Death good-Sex bad. Got it.
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Sunday 10 January
By Stephen
who really cares?? jeez i hate censorship
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Sunday 10 January
By Stephen
you just said you curse too so why is it any different for her to do it? this happens all the time all across america people. get out of your bubbles and realize that most people out there aren't nuns and clergymen
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Sunday 10 January
By Evelyn
Hmm, a new movie that has a girl using the "c" word? That ain't cute!I think today's youths have a very cavalier attitude toward the use of profanity, in general. Pretty soon, the "c" word will become the new "n" word. When I was coming up, it was a big deal just to say "damn", "hell" or "titties" and "sex". Profanity wasn't heard on the radio, and now "damn", "bitch/beotch and is a staple on the inner city radio stations. Now I only listen to internet radio. I am an African American who grew up living in a South Bronx, NY housing project during the 1970s. My friends and I refrained from calling each other "bitch" or the "N" word. In fact, we addressed each other as "My Brutha" and "My Sista". Respect for self and others has fallen to the wayside over the years. My mom used to let me go to the movies with a group of friends weekly to see Bruce Lee films, comedies and westerns. Every now and then, we would watch one of those degrading blaxploitation films that fed into stereotypes about black folks. The "N" word and "damn" was about as bad as it got in a blaxploitation film. Sometimes, there would be a little nudity. The ratings system wasn't in place at the time. I still turned out ok. Can't say that will be the case for today's kids if no boundaries are set on what is acceptable socially and for entertainment purposes.
My jaw drops when I hear kids on the street cussing like they're grown. I don't hang around grown folks who use excessive profanity. You are known by the company that you keep, and when you hang around potty mouthed people, it eventually rubs off on you.
I'm a grandmother now, and it would mortify me if I were in the supermarket and heard some 4 or 5 year old have a tantrum and the dialogue went like this:
Kid: Mommy, I want a candy bar. Mom: No Dear, Mommy doesn't have enough money. Kid: I WANT A CANDY BAR! YOU NEVER BUY ME ANYTHING I LIKE, YOU MOTHERFUCKING CUNT! YOU STUPID-ASS BITCH! SHIT!
Silence gives consent, and when adults curse around kids, they should not expect better behavior to come from youths. I'm 47, and I guess you may as well call me old-fashioned. I have no tattoos. The most extreme thing I did was have my lip pierced last Summer. My mom was mortified when she saw it.
Youths of every generation throughout history are always trying to fit into the "in crowd". Some kids smoke, drink, do drugs, dye their hair crazy colors or get extreme piercings. Profanity is the least of all these evils, and I don't mind curse words being used to emphasize a point. It's the particular choice of word that disturbs me sometimes.
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Sunday 10 January
By ....
Don't worry about Chloe Moretz. Her next flick and first lead role, at the ripe old age of 12, is the R-rated vampire first love film "Let Me In", based on an incredible Swedish horror flick "Let the Right One In". It features a pre-teen first love coming of age story, vicious school bullying, buckets of blood (literally) and a vampire that uses serious violence when it kills... not because it wants to but because its hungry and can't help it. If she does half the job of her swedish counterpart she'll be looking at an Academy Award nomination. Her career chronology will not have her wondering what she was doing at this age. Its a series of bold choices and honestly I feel like she'll be exceptional in both Kick-Ass and Let Me In, as she already was in (500) Days of Summer.
Also, not to be that guy but the C-word is completely different to people in Great Britain. Its much more commonly used and since both the writer and director of the film are Brits they are unlikely to feel the weight we Americans associate with the word. Its the kind of thing that commonly happens in independently produced films like this.
Since Lionsgate is only distributing, the filmmakers got friends to give them the money to produce the flick, offensive language is more apt to survive the editing process. The whole movie is an ultra violent deconstruction of superhero movies so they figured a little salty language isn't going to make a difference in an R-rated aka Red Band Trailer. Also, it does get rid of the idea that since its a comic book movie its safe for kids...
Lastly, if you have a problem with the film just don't go see it. There will be no riot in the streets to police art or social movement to conform to moral standards based on this movie. (Especially since morality is not standard in America that's one of the reasons why America is such a great country.) Critics will love it for being brave and fun, and even those offended will only help its box office with the intended audience. Its definitely R-rated so unless an under 17 sneaks in or their parent takes them kids should not be seeing this flick.
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Sunday 10 January
By iiman6
What are you crying about? Are you in the real world? Everyday I hear stuff come out of kids mouths, that I wouldn't have dreamed of saying at age. But, today it's considered normal part of growing up! Watch the movie!
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Sunday 10 January
By Evelyn
Correction: I meant to say that the "c" word is becoming the new "f" word, not "N" word.
Dang, when I was a kid, saying the word "darn" had as much impact as saying "damn". Oh, and we dare not address an adult by his or her first name. We'd be seeing stars if we did. So much for class and values these days.
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Saturday 16 January
By Vincent
Movies are a symbolism of real life and so portray the relationship of some parents and their child/children good bad or indifferent. This is a movie and should be enjoyed a such. If you don't like it don't watch it. This is not the normal parent child relationship...it's just crazy.
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Sunday 10 January
By logic
It is SO much about our rights its not even funny. I am an American. That means that i can watch whatever I want, do whatever i want (within the confines of the law), and say whatever I want to say. You guys are outraged by this girl swearing and "killing" and it is perfectly fine to be upset and voice your opinion. but as soon as we are able to do something about it, to prevent that girl form swearing, to censor our right to free speech, well, that is the day that i don't want to be an American anymore.
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Sunday 10 January
By Robert
I guess the idiots who made this only care about money and not being socially responsible.
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Monday 11 January
By Bryan
this movie is gonna be the shit, the comic book was the shit, i already see the adaption from it going really well.
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Monday 11 January
By Frank
Looks like live action Anime to me.
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Monday 11 January
By Jessica Dutoit
they are upset because she dropped and the F and C bomb......they totally missed out on what is really going on LMAO SHE IS MURDERING PEOPLE....and they are worried about her cussing... WTF! I think this movie is going to be awesome!
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