As 'Kick-Ass' opens in theaters, critic Roger Ebert warns movie fans in his one star review that the action flick is "morally reprehensible." Despite the film's R rating, the famed movie critic is fixated on the effect its 11-year-old main character Hit Girl will have on younger audiences.
In the film, Mindy (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her father (Nicolas Cage) try to become superheroes. During one scene, the young girl kills a gangster mob by shooting, stabbing and kicking them all to death. The knife-carrying child has quite a dirty mouth, too, uttering words even adults would be embarrassed to say. While the satire likely won't birth a new group of gun-slingers in America, Ebert stands by his review. "Say what you will about her character, but Chloe Grace Moretz has presence and appeal. Then the movie moved into dark, dark territory, and I grew sad," he wrote.
It's no secret Ebert has been an outspoken opponent of the Motion Picture Association of America's film rating system when it comes to which movies are "suitable for children." Ebert often attacks films featuring a diluted message that bad behavior can bring happiness -- especially when young characters are involved in the controversial, adult-themed plots.
Earlier this year, Ebert gave 'The Lovely Bones' a scathing review and pondered the psychological effects the film may have on young female audiences. "It is a deplorable film with this message: If you're a 14-year-old girl who has been brutally raped and murdered by a serial killer, you have a lot to look forward to," he wrote. "Sure, you miss your friends, but your fellow fatalities come dancing to greet you in a meadow of wildflowers, and how cool is that?"
"The murder of a young person is a tragedy, the murderer is a monster, and making the victim a sweet, poetic narrator is creepy. This movie sells the philosophy that even evil things are God's will, and their victims are happier now. Isn't it nice to think so. I think it's best if they don't happen at all. But if they do, why pretend they don't hurt? Those girls are dead," he wrote.
In the past, Ebert has challenged the MPAA Code and Ratings Administration claiming, "The bottom line is not much of a surprise: The board is much more lenient towards violence than toward sex," he said. "In turn, America's youth has more exposure to violence in these PG-13 rated films and are becoming desensitized to the lasting effects of crime and violence."
In 1998, Ebert called out 'Small Soldiers,' saying it was "a family picture on the outside, and a mean, violent action picture on the inside... It's rated PG-13, but if the characters were human, the movie would be a hard 'R.'"
Interestingly, Ebert urged that PG-13 films like 'School of Rock,' 'Whale Rider' and 'Bend It Like Beckham' were actually perfect for the family with inspiring messages and appropriate story lines. "There is a vast difference between movies for 12-year-old girls and movies about 12-year-old girls, and 'Whale Rider' proves it," Ebert wrote in his 2003 review. "So many films by and about teenagers are mired in vulgarity and stupidity; this one, like its heroine, dares to dream."
On the flip-side, Ebert gladly applauded Dakota Fanning's role in 'Hounddog,' a controversial, independent film in which Fanning, then 14, played a troubled 12-year-old who is sexually abused by her father. Although Fanning's character is raped by an older teenager, she eventually learns how to make people treat her with respect. Ebert admits Fanning's "impressive step forward in her career" reminded him of Jodie Foster in 'Taxi Driver,' who played a twelve-year-old prostitute. Perhaps it is all about the final message (and it's effect on youth) that can make or break a film for Ebert.
While some critics say Ebert needs to lighten up on 'Kick-Ass,' it's obvious he has an agenda against violence and doesn't want movies to sensationalize an onslaught's "cool" factor. All moral stances aside, Ebert is passionate about his message -- even if it comes in the form of a 'Kick-Ass' movie review.
Video: PopEater asked New Yorkers -- generally of the parental persuasion -- for their reactions to the red-band trailer featuring Hit Girl. Check it out:
It's disappointing to see Nick Cage in a movie like this. Good actor, bad choices will take him down that ugly road Bette Davis and Joan Crawford traveled at the end of their careers.
I wouldn't take my 11 year old to a movie with "the A word" in it (HIS euphemism, not mine; he hates swearing). Besides, he's only interested in superhero kids who are actual cartoons, like in videogames. What producers thought that slapping a disco wig and leather onto a child would make her character appealing to tweens? Do they actually know any tweens? Talk about out of touch.
"A word??" Gimme a break. If that were the worst of it, no one would blink an eye. The girl uses the "C" word (!!!) in this film. That takes it to a "whole nother level."
Get over yourselves. You must all live in the suburbs or something. The kids I know make her look like a church girl with her words. You people on here LOVE to sound like if you're the best of the world, but really I doubt it.
Everyone seems to be missing the fact that this movie is rated R. It's not intended for children, tweens or even most teens and any parent who takes a child under the age of 16 to an R rated movie should be locked up.
I'm not defending the movie, but I don't understand why people keep criticizing the effect a movie will have on children when it isn't intended for children. If you want to criticize it, then find a legitimate reason. There are clearly plenty of other reasons to do so. Criticize it for having a child actor in it, but not what effect it will have on an audience for which it is not even intended.
It is just a movie! go see it, don't go see it. It is your choice. We can only be affected by what we want to be. i choose to see it and realize it is just what it is fantasy. Not real life.
I will definitely not see it. It is not an issue of choice for me. It is how this movie preys on our vulnerable youth, whose parents are irresponsible enough to let their children watch it. It shows violence is an answer to problems. It never is..think of the Pheobe Prince's in this world. We need to teach our youths to be kids of character!! Where are the movies that show this?
Your fantasy/ real life analogy is fine for intelligent adults, not young kids who are still highly impressionable. Do you think there would be as much street violence today if movies directed strictly at the youth market were less violent? Even if that figure were 5% less it would surely be better than nothing. It used to be said that 'art imitates life'. In movie making today, they've run out of fresh ideas and have to resort to crap like this with a high level of violence to even get their target audience to walk into the theater. Like it or not, what we end up seeing, to some degree, is 'life imitating art'...that is if you would lower yourself to calling these movies 'art'.
You are absolutely right, and it is so sad that people seem to think what they see in a movie is real life. I have yet to learn/hear a new swear word since I graduated elementary school, and that was a LONG time ago. Movies are movies, and that's it. If someone thinks what they see in a film is what they need to do, they THEY'RE the one with the problem, not the rest of us.
What idiot determined that the trailer was suiable for all ages? As a parent I find the entire premise of this movie and others like it not only imappropriate but also dangerous for children. Nicholas Cage should be ashamed of himself for prostituting his talent for this crap.
From other Internet articles, I've heard that Cage impulsively bought himself a half dozen mansions in various parts of the world, and they are slowly tumbling into foreclosure. Besides questionable judgment, that might explain Cage's taking roles in films like this. He needs the money.
And we wonder why kids are so violent! School killings and bullying incidents (with fatal results)have skyrocketed. As adults, we can make the distinction between reality and fantasy, but kids aren't able to do that effectively. Parents need to get a grip and control what their kids are exposed to.
Really? You really think that school violence has "skyrocketed" as a result of movies? Here's a tip...Try punishing your kid for once, instead of coddling them. I'm sorry, but I knew the difference between right and wrong when I was 5, as did most kids my age. The movie is great. Oh, and it's rated R. Kids aren't supposed to be watching it to begin with. There was violence in the 60s too, the difference was, back then, if 2 boys didn't like each other, they would fight, and 5 minutes later, one would win, one would lose, they would get suspended for a couple days, and nothing else happened. Now, kids can't fight, so they bottle up the anger. That has NOTHING to do with movies. And yes, I'm only 1 year behind the executors of the Columbine High School shooting, so I know video games and movies and music didn't have any effect.
And we wonder why there's so much violence among our youth. Why does Hollywood continue to generate movies with this type of theme. But Nic Cage is in so much debt that he can't probably can't turn ANYTHING down. Too bad. I worry about the type of world my niece, nephews, and grandkids are growing up in.
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As 'Kick-Ass' opens in theaters, critic Roger Ebert warns movie fans in his one star review that the action flick is "morally reprehensible." Despite the film's R rating, the famed movie critic is fixated on the effect its 11-year-old main character Hit Girl will have on younger audiences. 
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Sooo, I guess the person who writes these polls doesn't understand the meaning of the word "condone," huh?
Reply
It's disappointing to see Nick Cage in a movie like this. Good actor, bad choices will take him down that ugly road Bette Davis and Joan Crawford traveled at the end of their careers.
Reply
This along with Bad Lieutenant shows that Nic Cage knows how to pic roles.
stupid, stupid, stupid. No wonder Cage is broke, this movie suxs
Nicholas Cage is still hot and can always star in my movies....
I wouldn't take my 11 year old to a movie with "the A word" in it (HIS euphemism, not mine; he hates swearing). Besides, he's only interested in superhero kids who are actual cartoons, like in videogames. What producers
thought that slapping a disco wig and leather onto a child would make her character appealing to tweens? Do they actually know any tweens? Talk about out of touch.
Reply
"A word??" Gimme a break. If that were the worst of it, no one would blink an eye. The girl uses the "C" word (!!!) in this film. That takes it to a "whole nother level."
Get over yourselves. You must all live in the suburbs or something. The kids I know make her look like a church girl with her words. You people on here LOVE to sound like if you're the best of the world, but really I doubt it.
Everyone seems to be missing the fact that this movie is rated R. It's not intended for children, tweens or even most teens and any parent who takes a child under the age of 16 to an R rated movie should be locked up.
I'm not defending the movie, but I don't understand why people keep criticizing the effect a movie will have on children when it isn't intended for children. If you want to criticize it, then find a legitimate reason. There are clearly plenty of other reasons to do so. Criticize it for having a child actor in it, but not what effect it will have on an audience for which it is not even intended.
It is just a movie! go see it, don't go see it. It is your choice. We can only be affected by what we want to be. i choose to see it and realize it is just what it is fantasy. Not real life.
Reply
I will definitely not see it. It is not an issue of choice for me. It is how this movie preys on our vulnerable youth, whose parents are irresponsible enough to let their children watch it. It shows violence is an answer to problems. It never is..think of the Pheobe Prince's in this world. We need to teach our youths to be kids of character!! Where are the movies that show this?
Your fantasy/ real life analogy is fine for intelligent adults, not young kids who are still highly impressionable. Do you think there would be as much street violence today if movies directed strictly at the youth market were less violent? Even if that figure were 5% less it would surely be better than nothing. It used to be said that 'art imitates life'. In movie making today, they've run out of fresh ideas and have to resort to crap like this with a high level of violence to even get their target audience to walk into the theater. Like it or not, what we end up seeing, to some degree, is 'life imitating art'...that is if you would lower yourself to calling these movies 'art'.
You are absolutely right, and it is so sad that people seem to think what they see in a movie is real life. I have yet to learn/hear a new swear word since I graduated elementary school, and that was a LONG time ago. Movies are movies, and that's it. If someone thinks what they see in a film is what they need to do, they THEY'RE the one with the problem, not the rest of us.
What idiot determined that the trailer was suiable for all ages? As a parent I find the entire premise of this movie and others like it not only imappropriate but also dangerous for children. Nicholas Cage should be ashamed of himself for prostituting his talent for this crap.
Reply
From other Internet articles, I've heard that Cage impulsively bought himself a half dozen mansions in various parts of the world, and they are slowly tumbling into foreclosure. Besides questionable judgment, that might explain Cage's taking roles in films like this. He needs the money.
And we wonder why kids are so violent! School killings and bullying incidents (with fatal results)have skyrocketed. As adults, we can make the distinction between reality and fantasy, but kids aren't able to do that effectively. Parents need to get a grip and control what their kids are exposed to.
Reply
Really? You really think that school violence has "skyrocketed" as a result of movies? Here's a tip...Try punishing your kid for once, instead of coddling them. I'm sorry, but I knew the difference between right and wrong when I was 5, as did most kids my age. The movie is great. Oh, and it's rated R. Kids aren't supposed to be watching it to begin with. There was violence in the 60s too, the difference was, back then, if 2 boys didn't like each other, they would fight, and 5 minutes later, one would win, one would lose, they would get suspended for a couple days, and nothing else happened. Now, kids can't fight, so they bottle up the anger. That has NOTHING to do with movies. And yes, I'm only 1 year behind the executors of the Columbine High School shooting, so I know video games and movies and music didn't have any effect.
And we wonder why there's so much violence among our youth. Why does Hollywood continue to generate movies with this type of theme. But Nic Cage is in so much debt that he can't probably can't turn ANYTHING down. Too bad. I worry about the type of world my niece, nephews, and grandkids are growing up in.
Reply
All I have to say is "amen to that !".
11-year-old kids aren't supposed to go to R-rated movies are they?
Reply