Representation of youth in Kick-Ass

In the film Kick-Ass youth is represented as innocent, free-spirited and clueless, with the exception of Hit Girl. Dave and his friends Tod and Marty are stereotypical nerds, this is easily recognisable by their appearance and obsession with comic books and superheroes. The first time we meet these three characters is when they are in the comic book shop discussing how it is ridiculous that more people want to be Paris Hilton than Batman or Spiderman. This is also where we are introduce to Chris who also seems to be a superhero nerd with no friends and a body guard due to his fathers wealthy business. This is instantly familiar to an audience as we see that Christ is a typical Geek who enjoys comics and is a loner, in addition to this non of the boys can talk to girls which is recognisable to the audience as they are typical cliché roles of teen boys.  

However in the case of Dave and Chris it is clear that the both of them grow to become popular and confident within themselves due to the fact they have an alter ego of a superhero that nobody else knows. Even when they are dressed as superhero's their regular nerdy self's do not matter they are cool superhero's, this is reinforced by Red Mist saying "that's right we are superhero's love us".  

 

On the other hand Hit Girl, the youngest of all the characters challenges all audience expectations as she is only an 11 year old girl who uses the most provocative language and is the most violent of all the characters in the film. We are firstly introduce to her in all pink as her father shoots her in the chest to get her used to a bullet proof vest which instantly juxtaposes the sweet and innocent little girl we expect her to be. We then see her eating a huge ice cream sundae where she asks for a puppy and a Bratz movie makeover Sasha which is instantly contradicted by her swearing and saying she would rather have a butterfly knife, which is not typical of an 11 year old girl. Hit Girl breaks all typical conventions of a young girl in a superhero film as it is typical for a young girl to need saving and be in distress, however this girl shows Hit Girl as the most violent and the most experienced with a knife, sword and even guns. Her language is far beyond her years and shows a knowledge of provocative and sexual language which is not to be expected from a young girl.  

 

Overall in this film youth is represented as innocent and pure to the extent of their regular lives, however when it comes to their superhero images they are far from this, they are experienced and determined. Chris and Dave both meet the expectations of the audience however, Hit Girl breaks every expectation and convention we expect from a young girl as she is by far the most brutal, heartless and cold killer in the film with no remorse or idea of punishment.