The plot (based on Dav Pilkey’s books) concerns two cheeky, comic-strip-creating best friends. George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) accidentally force their grumpy high-school principal (Ed Helms) to behave like one of their favourite characters — a superhero (also voiced by Helms) who feels inordinately comfortable in his undies.
Just to recap. The Captain is an abstract creation who becomes real only when a bald, middle-aged man is under hypnosis. That’s weird, right?
Anyway, in the course of what follows it becomes clear that Harold and George love each other deeply and that part of what binds them is that they enjoy bawdy as well as sophisticated gags.
They are contrasted with a law-abiding nerd called Melvin (the brilliant Jordan Peele, of Get Out fame). Melvin has no sense of humour at all. Meanwhile, the strange, foreign Professor Poopy Pants (Nick Kroll) can understand and make jokes but is unable to laugh at himself.
The film is lovely, rather than smug, because we identify with all of these figures. Insecure Poopy Pants is one of the most vital villains of the year. At one point he points out that state-school teachers are paid very little money because no one values what they do. Out of the mouths of baddies...
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Did I mention that the Captain is a bit of a burden? Kick-Ass started the trend for superheroes who are borderline pathetic and the cockamamie Captain is up there with the best/worst crusaders. He’s absurd, adorable and sexy — and we should be throwing our knickers at all those involved in bringing him to life.
Cert U, 88 mins
