The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network is one of those rare films that excel on every level – the acting, the writing, the directing, the scoring… the purpose and the impact. It’s a film that defines the interconnectivity of a generation, presented to us via emulative characters and authoritative social conceits. It’s The Breakfast Club (1985) minus the charactures and tenderness, those things replaced by cutthroat aspiration and a Trent Reznor synth set.

Cinewise Character Deathmatch - Zombieland vs. Kick-Ass

I recently argued that while they are very different movies, Kick-Ass and Zombieland are essentially of the same Geek-Gore breed. They share similar re-inventive, lampooning approaches to established genre films, and indulge in a shared desensitized joy for the violent, bloody mayhem these genres permit. Most importantly, the characters are strikingly, eerily similar in setup and function. So I thought – all opinion of the overall film product aside – it would be fun to pit these characters against each other in another new Cinewise series – The Cinewise Character Deathmatch!

Geek Gore: Kick-Ass, Zombieland and the Bloody Indie-Cool Uprising

I caught Kick-Ass with fellow Cinewisers riCan and Charlie this past weekend, and although we thoroughly enjoyed it, none of us seemed to share the enthusiasm of our cinema cohort The Bru (read his truly excellent review here). Was Chloe Moretz’s performance as Hit Girl anything short of insta-classic? Hells no – it’ll be hard for me to more enjoy another singular performance this year. Was Matthew Vaughn’s surreal reimagining of the comic book flick not a whip smart genre game changer? Well…I’m not sure. Snatch aside, it’s probably the best thing London’s little rich boy has ever produced (and honestly, which flick is better is a deserving debate). But I’d argue that Kick-Ass does more to establish a developing cinematic sub-genre than to reinvent the blockbuster territory cemented by Batman, Iron Man and the like.

My gripes with Kick-Ass, while small, lie within the elements of its foundation – the set-up, while simultaneously creative and classical in its origin story, felt a little too slow, and a little too labored. But most importantly, I thought the main character (Dave Lizewski, aka Kick-Ass) was just…kinda…boring. Not because Aaron Johnson portrayed him poorly. And not because he was the lamest of the heroes. But because I really didn’t care about him, his lack of motivation, depth as a person, and stakes as a protagonist.

You could argue that Dave’s every-day-guy persona is the point, and I’d argue that just because someone is “normal” or “average” doesn’t mean they’re boring. But I’d also say you’re right – in this new sub-genre, the lame-o geek is the wussy Kick-Ass hero. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Geek Gore...