Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has retired from his career as the first real superhero, Kick-Ass. Mindy Macready (Chloë Grace Moretz) has not. She still moonlights as Hit-Girl, carrying on her father, Big Daddy’s, legacy as a vigilante crime fighter.

Dave realizes now that he is a normal high schooler, life is boring. Mindy begins training him, to get him back into shape so he can resume his role. The duo skips school every day to go to Mindy’s secret hideout to practice or spend their days finding criminals to take off the streets.

Big Daddy’s former partner, Detective Marcus Williams (Morris Chestnut) now has custody of 15-year-old Mindy. When he discovers that she is still going out at night, brutally attacking criminals, he convinces her to promise not to do it anymore. Mindy then begins trying to fit in with the “normal” kids at school.

Meanwhile, Dave is looking for some place to fit in, so he joins a group of local vigilantes to for Justice Forever, an Avengers type of superhero alliance. The team includes Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), Night B*tch (Lindy Booth), Dr. Gravity (Donald Faison) and Battle Guy (Clark Duke), among others. The team searches out evil-doers, exacting their own form of justice.

Chris D’Amico (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) has never gotten over Kick-Ass killing his father. He has tossed aside his Red Mist good guy persona. He is determined to become the world’s first super villain under the name “The Motherf***er.” He is ruthless and brutal. He has amassed an evil army and will stop at nothing to get his revenge on Kick-Ass and anyone who stands in his way.

If you haven’t seen the first Kick-Ass, or even if you have, you will want to watch it again before you see this latest episode. It’s been 3 years since the original came out. You’ll spend a fair amount of time trying to recall how we got to where we are if you don’t give yourself a refresher. (I wish I had done this. Although, I was able to recall enough to know what was going on and where we left off.)

This is a graphic novel (comic book) movie that takes seriously the fact that it is not to be taken seriously. It excels at what it is. In this era of superhero movies, this is one that really stands out. The Marvel movies are great. The DC Universe is trying to go dark. Kick-Ass walks a line right down the middle.

The action is fast and furious. It is also violent and graphic more often than not. But it is kept to a comic book level. Complete with small captions you’re used to seeing in comic books. It works well.

The cast is excellent. I don’t think they could have filled the roles more perfectly. There is great chemistry between everyone. Christopher Mintz-Plasse is great as Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s nemesis. And you don’t have to worry about Nicholas Cage’s screaming overacting. (Not that his performance in the original bothered me at all, surprisingly.)

It is a little predictable. Honestly, though, aren’t all superhero movies? It doesn’t detract from the story at all. It’s about the journey not the destination. And what a visually stunning, hilarious journey it is. Kudos to Jeff Wadlow, Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. for creating such a great script. Also to the actors for bringing it to life so well.

Kick-Ass2 is graphic, vulgar and thus, won’t appeal to everyone. (Sorry, mom. You’ll want to skip this one.) For those that can handle a lot of genital jokes, you should definitely enjoy this movie. I know I did. This is the superhero movie we need. And the one we deserve.

Make sure you stay all the way through the credits. There is a scene at the very end you won’t want to miss.