DVD Review: The violence continues in “Kick-Ass” three years later

The 2010 graphic novel adaptation “Kick-Ass” wasn’t a big hit, despite (or because of) some controversy over its violence. It wasn’t so much that it was brutal (which it was) as that much of the mayhem was gleefully committed by an 11-year-old female character (Chloe Grace Moretz) named Hit-Girl.

The sequel Universal released a few months ago is now available for home viewing in a technically sharp transfer. The studio has packed the disc with extras, which fulfill their modest ambitions more satisfactorily than the movie itself. Because of the visible aging of the actors — particularly Moretz, who went from 12 to 15 — the story is set roughly three years later. As in the first film, Hit-Girl steals the show from the title character (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who is like a watered-down Spider-Man. The result more than earns its R rating, with some icky gore amid the frequently inventive action scenes.

The extras include a three-minute alternate opening, 11 extended scenes totaling 14 minutes, and a story-boarded but unshot spectral embellishment featuring Hit-Girl’s father, who was killed at the end of the original. All of these have optional commentaries by writer/director Jeff Wadlow. There is nearly an hour of “making of” stuff and a breezy wall-to-wall commentary track with Wadlow, Moretz, Taylor-Johnson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (who plays the villain).

“Kick-Ass 2” (Universal Studios Home Video, Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, $34.98; DVD, $29.98)
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ANDY KLEIN is the film critic for Marquee. He can also be heard on “FilmWeek” on KPCC-FM (89.3).