Kick-Ass 2

"Kick-Ass 2" arrives on Region Free UK Blu-ray and Universal Studios Blu-ray with an eye-popping 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition video presentation that showcases a step up from its predecessor in terms of visual quality and fidelity, framed in the movie’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1 widescreen. The detailed video clarity is stunning, making every scene come to life with superb skin textures, clothing weaves, and intricate background details observable throughout. The presentation benefits from an outstanding balance of colors, boasting a comic-book vibrancy that enhances both the broad and rich palette used, with bright primaries and cooler pastels bringing the costumes of heroes and villains alike to vivid life. Wide shots of Manhattan are captured with remarkable depth of field, retaining a crisp and artifact-free look that adds to the overall high-definition experience.

The sequel's cinematography corrects past missteps by offering a more natural-looking color balance, devoid of the excessive contrast boosting that marred the original's Blu-ray release. This time around, night scenes are illuminated by solid black levels and rich shadow details without succumbing to crush, while maintaining strong visual depth and cinematic appeal. Enhanced details in midrange and close-ups reveal a slightly discomforting level of realism in the violence depicted, which is a testament to the transfer’s sharpness. However, it's not without its minor flaws; occasional softness due to contrast tweaks and a few brief moments where dark costumes blend into the background; yet these do not significantly detract from what is largely an exemplary video presentation.

Despite minor setbacks, such as blooming whites in parts and mild aliasing in certain scenes, "Kick-Ass 2" on Blu-ray is a showcase of what high-definition home entertainment can offer. Blacks are deep and inky, providing excellent dimensionality. The video quality does justice to the sequel's more polished look and feel, with every frame contributing to a richly detailed and animated viewing experience that pushes it into demo territory for video aficionados.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track accompanying "Kick-Ass 2" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray release provides an audio experience that is both bombastic and immersive, with particular emphasis on a dynamic and thunderous score that sets a thrilling tone for the entire film. Dialogue remains crisply clear and well-prioritized across the front and center channels, ensuring that character interactions and crucial lines are never lost amidst the cacophony of action sequences. The mix artfully balances an impressive mid-range clarity and depth with robust LFE contributions, ensuring that every explosion, punch, and engine roar is felt with satisfying impact, while never muddying the vocals or overwhelming the scene.

Action sequences are a particular highlight, with expertly directed sound effects bringing to life scenes of high tension and dynamic combat; gunfire sweeps and punches land with precise directionality and palpable force, creating a convincingly immersive soundscape. The score and selected songs extend into the surround channels, melding seamlessly with well-placed foley to enrich the film's atmospherics. Despite the relentless action and vibrant score, the dialogue cuts through with unexpected clarity, testament to a meticulous mix that respects the narrative as much as it does the visceral thrill of superhero confrontations.

While maintaining an energetic rear channel activity that complements the atmospheric ambiance of quieter moments, "Kick-Ass 2" excels in delivering a soundstage that is consistently engaging across the spectrum. From the nuanced details in the highs to the adequately powerful lows (sans plunging into the deepest bass with full authority), the soundtrack is commendably balanced. It shines in scenes requiring precise sound localization, making it a commendably engaging audio presentation that significantly enhances the viewing experience of this masked vigilante sequel.

The "Kick-Ass 2" 4K UHD Blu-Ray presents a comprehensive suite of extras that delve into the making of the film with a particular focus on adherence to and deviations from the source material. The highlight is a feature commentary involving writer/director Jeff Wadlow along with principle cast members, offering insightful, albeit controversial, commentary on the creative choices made. The sprawling Making-Of documentary divided into various segments such as "Upping the Game" and "An Ass Kicking Cast" provides an in-depth look at the sequel's ambition to scale up, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses at stunts and production design. Noteworthy also are the exploration of unshot scenes and extended sequences, offering fans alternative perspectives and deeper understanding of the filmmaking process. Although certain extras might not add significant depth, overall, they stitch together a richer narrative of how "Kick-Ass 2" transitioned from comic panels to cinematic spectacle.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz and Writer/Director Jeff Wadlow: A dive into production decisions and on-set anecdotes.
• The Making of Kick-Ass 2: Including featurettes "Upping the Game", "An Ass Kicking Cast", "Going Ballistic: Weapons and Stunts", "Creating a Badass World", and "Street Rules: Showdown at the Evil Lair".
• Hit Girl Attacks: Creating the Van Sequence: Analysis of one of the film's key action sequences.
• Big Daddy Returns: The Unshot Scene: Storyboards and commentary for a scene that didn't make it into the movie.
• Extended Scenes: Additional content with optional director’s commentary.
• Alternate Opening: An interesting variant start to the movie, with optional director commentary.

"Kick-Ass 2" emerges as a sequel that revels in its predecessor's shadow, striking with a mix of dark humor, intensified violence, and a continuation of the comic-book-styled narrative that fans admired. Despite its efforts to preserve the original's charm and wit, it transitions somewhat clumsily, lacking the soulful undertone that once gave its characters depth and complexity. The return of the ensemble cast, especially Chloë Grace Moretz's Hit-Girl and a nearly unrecognizable Jim Carrey in a scene-stealing performance, keeps the sequel watchable. Nonetheless, their efforts are somewhat overshadowed by a predictable plot and a reiteration of themes – heroism entangled with self-doubt and retirement contemplations – which, while initially intriguing, grow tiresome upon repetition.

Director Jeff Wadlow's attempt to infuse fresh energy into the franchise with new vigilante characters and expanded universe concepts initially feels promising. The inclusion of Justice Forever, led by Carrey's memorable Colonel Stars and Stripes, hints at a broader scope in the vigilante phenomenon, exploring the real-life implications of masked justice seekers. However, these new elements often feel like underdeveloped afterthoughts rather than integral parts of the narrative. This sequel struggles to balance teen angst with superhero bravado, leading to an experience that occasionally oscillates between engaging combat sequences and unconvincing drama, notably diluting the impact of its darker and edgier aspirations.

Ultimately, "Kick-Ass 2" navigates the challenging waters of sequeldom with mixed results. It excels in moments of pure comic-book action and retains a visceral visual appeal, yet it cannot quite recapture the original's compelling blend of irreverence and emotional weight. The sequel, embroiled in its thematic exploration of identity and vengeance, echoes the original's spirit but fails to forge a truly memorable identity of its own. Despite these shortcomings, it serves as an entertaining, if not entirely fulfilling, chapter in the "Kick-Ass" saga, particularly for those willing to embrace its more-of-the-same approach amidst fleeting moments of brilliance.

"Kick-Ass 2" resumes the audacious spirit of its predecessor, albeit with a narrative that some may find lacks the original's shock value and provocation. The film, directed by Jeff Wadlow and featuring the original cast along with the addition of Jim Carrey, strives to maintain the franchise's unique blend of humor and excessive violence. While it achieves moments of entertainment through well-executed action sequences and comic relief, the sequel struggles to replicate the fresh controversy and engaging story of the first film. Critics and fans alike note a perceptible disconnect between the characters' actions and the broader implications of their vigilantism, suggesting a potential confusion in narrative focus that detracts from the overall impact.

From a technical standpoint, the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Kick-Ass 2" is commendable. The picture quality is exceptional, boasting vibrant colors and crisp details that enhance the visual experience. The audio presentation is equally impressive, providing an immersive soundscape that complements the film's dynamic action scenes. Additionally, the Blu-ray edition is enriched with a host of extras that will undoubtedly appeal to enthusiasts and collectors. These technical merits make it a worthy acquisition for fans, offering a superior viewing experience that showcases the film's visual and auditory elements to their fullest.

In conclusion, while "Kick-Ass 2" may not entirely recapture the innovative edge of its forebear, its continuation of the story is executed with enough flair and energy to satisfy dedicated fans of the series. Despite some narrative shortcomings, the standout technical quality of the 4K UHD Blu-ray release, coupled with a generous array of supplementary content, makes it a recommended purchase for aficionados. It stands as a testament to the franchise's distinctive style, even if it doesn't quite kick as much ass as the first installment.