If you liked the first, go ahead and pretend this one doesn’t exist. It’s what Big Daddy would do.

The first half of the film drags a bit with high-school subplots, crabby teen disagreements, street fights and shock value that consist of foul language, explosive and sadistic diarrhea and bloody fights. But it is the action-packed second half with the costumed final battle that salvages the film from being a mediocre dish out.

After a while the stunts and the action feels too routine leaving very little to no space for surprise. Even Jim Carrey’s extended cameo seems uninspired. The portions with Moretz seem the best with the supporting characters pushed to the periphery.

The first one worked for its bizarre novelty. Kick-Ass 2 tries banking on those unique traits. The film also had ready material to encash (it is based on a hit comic book series of the same name). Yet it doesn’t quite get the mood of the franchise right. What you have here is a formulaic rehash that never quite captures the maverick madness of the first film.

There are a few gags a bit of action, but nothing will broadly appeal to you unless you are of a certain age group. Along with the action, it is the performance of Chloe Grace Moretz that leaves an impression but otherwise Kick Ass 2 doesn’t have much to gloat about.