If you like your comic book films dark and edgy, with a bit of dark humor, then the new film “Kick-Ass” will be right up your alley.

Adapted from a graphic novel by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., “Kick-Ass” tells the story of Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), an average teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero like the one in the comic books – despite no super powers or training.

When Dave intervenes in a gang fight, his escapades are recorded by a bystander and his new persona becomes an Internet sensation, leading the way for other “ordinary” citizens to take up crime fighting. That includes an 11-year girl, who goes by Hit Girl, (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her father (Nicolas Cage), a disgraced former cop training to gain revenge on a ruthless drug dealer.

“Kick-Ass” doesn’t quite deliver the same film that I expected from the TV ads and trailers, but that is a good thing. Like last year’s “The Watchmen,” this is a film that attempts to humanize super heroes, but does so in a much more effective manner.

The story intertwines several subplots at once, that at first don’t seem to connect, but as the plot unfolds, actually fit pretty nicely.

Johnson is solid in the lead and his character is interesting to a point, even if it is overshadowed by the relationship between Hit Girl and her father, Big Daddy. “Kick-Ass” has garnered a lot of controversy because of the young girl, who swears constantly and kills dozens of people in Quentin Tarantino-esque fashion.

I guess I can understand why some people may be taken aback by this character, but I accepted it within the context of the film. To Moretz’s credit, she is very good in the role – giving perhaps the best performance in the film. I have a sneaking suspicion if she weren’t so good, there wouldn’t have been as much objection over her character.

Does it glorify vigilante violence? Yes, but you can pretty much say that for any comic book adaptation.

Fortunately, this is a film – directed by Matthew Vaughn – that isn’t afraid to cross the line with its material, but does so in such a clever manner that it makes “Kick-Ass” one of the spring’s more entertaining cinematic experiences.

DVD dandy of the week

This week’s dandy is “It’s Complicated” (B), the very adult romantic comedy that gets by thanks in part to its huge star power trio of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin – who elevate material that could have been quite pedestrian to another level.

Streep and Baldwin play Jane and Jake, a divorced couple who have moved on with their respective lives – but while attending their son’s graduation realize they are still attracted to each other.

This leads to an affair that has Jake thinking of leaving his new wife for Jane, and Jane confused over whether her future is with a mild mannered architect named Jake (Martin) or is in fact with the man who she left years earlier.

Written and directed by Nancy Meyer, this is a film that relies a lot on situations that tend to fall flat in TV sitcoms. Still, I found myself laughing a lot and enjoying the film – thanks to the three leads.

Streep immerses herself in this goofiness in the same manner she approaches any of her roles, showing a comic touch that I think she should explore more. Baldwin takes a role that asks him to be self-deprecating and he attacks it with as much gusto as Streep, while Martin is asked to be the straight man – but pulls it off as well.

I’m sure these three could have found better material to showcase their talents, but this is a more than satisfying endeavor – sure to please anyone looking for some light entertainment.

“It’s Complicated” is rated R for language, some drug content and sexuality and will be available Tuesday on DVD.

— To get sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton’s up-to-the minute thoughts on all things movies, visit his blog at mcompton.wordpress.com or his Twitter page at twitter.com/mcompton428. You can also e-mail him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.