;sinister bad guys"), there's what might just be Nic Cage's best performance in years. It's clear that he's simply having so much fun - and the combination of his sweet nature out-of-costume, and a brilliantly hilarious Adam West impersonation in it, never fails to bring the laughs. It's with this balance that Kick-Ass succeeds so well - it's frequently laugh-out-loud funny, yet never a spoof. The story and action - aside perhaps from a gleeful, video-game-esque denouement - are always played seriously, and with a refreshing lack of cynicism.

It's not perfect, mind - despite the generally frenetic pace, it sags a little in the middle, and a romantic subplot offers up far too unrealistic a resolution (it's also the biggest departure from Mark Millar and John Romita Jr's original comic). But in general, Vaughn - established here as an action director of serious clout - and screenwriter Jane Goldman show that, as with Stardust, they're extremely adept at finding out what makes a book tick, and translating it into a thrilling movie experience. And as the work of people who have a deep understanding of both the ludicrous and meaningful aspects of comic book heroes, Kick-Ass is a masterpiece of the genre.
Verdict
Against the odds, this is going to take some beating as the most purely entertaining action film of 2010 - and the best superhero flick since The Dark Knight. Your move, Iron Man.