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"Does This Photo
Really Need a Punchline?" |
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Directed by Jeff
Tremaine - Written by
Sean Cliver, Preston
Lacy
Starring Johnny
Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam
Margera, Chris Pontius,
Jason Acuna
Distributed by Paramount -
2006 - 95mins - Rated R |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C+ |
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What happened? |
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<Checking my pulse>
Hmm. Okay, I'm still alive.
My name is Richard. I am in Indianapolis. Today is September 19, 2006.
<big sigh> Okay, good. I'm oriented x 3. I guess that means my mental
status is okay.
I can't figure it out. I'm dumbfounded...shocked, amazed,
stupefied...did I mention amazed?
I rated "Jackass: The Movie" a solid "F" for its complete lack of
entertainment value, poor sense of social responsibility and general
dumbing down of an already mind-numbingly simple American culture. It
rests comfortably in my "Bottom 50" films of all-time.
I don't regret it...not for a minute.
So, what happened here? No, I'm serious. What happened here? Somebody,
tell me. Please.
"Jackass: Number Two" is more of the same from the gang that brought
us the "Jackass" television series and the first "Jackass" film. We
have Johnny Knoxville giving the finger to his semblance of movie
fame, Steve-O doing more of what he's always done, Bam Margera giving
even more evidence of a few dozen brain cells missing and the rest of
the gang doing their part in stunt after stunt that defies just about
every movie convention known to cinema to come up with laughs, shocks,
gags, stupidity, dares, stunts and goings on that make those silly
little food stunts on "Fear Factor" look like an afternoon in the park
with Mr. Rogers.
What's up with me? I'm older and more conservative than I was five
years ago. Yet, I can't deny the truth. This crude, off-color and
downright offensive feature film version of a stag party, bachelor
party, drunken brawl, frat party and macho movie madness was often
downright funny, frequently gag-inducing gross and tasteless in just
the right ways.
I have this certain friend who just loves to remind me of our college
days. Every time we get together, he reminds me of the countless times
I would crawl up to his second floor apartment and stumble out hours
later drunk beyond words, convinced I could walk and finding myself
rolling like a gymnast down the flight of stairs.
I didn't do this just once. I did this at least once a week throughout
my college days.
Now that I'm older, a college graduate and, yes, a minister he just
loves to remind me of those days.
"Jackass: Number Two" is like those days. It requires no intelligence
to view, no insight to understand, no effort to follow and will leave you
laughing even if you can't figure out what is so funny.
It's rather funny to me that "Jackass: Number Two" and "Jesus Camp"
have come out within a week of each other. I find it a sad statement
on American culture and intelligence that kids can watch both and
decide to imitate the adults in the films.
Is "Jesus Camp" the fundamentalist version of "Jackass: Number Two" or
is "Jackass: Number Two" the progressive version of "Jesus Camp?"
Seriously, think about it.
There's no need to describe a plot. Much like the first film, there is
no plot in "Jackass: Number Two." Unlike the first film, however, this
film seems a tad less irresponsible and, for lack of better phrase,
less cruel to anyone but those who are willingly participating. While
there is one skit involving a "Bad Grandpa," it is the only scene
involving a child that borders on irresponsible. Even it is no worse
than was seen weekly on Comedy Central's "The Man Show."
"Jackass: Number Two" is centered squarely upon this motley crew of
devious daredevils and their constant efforts to outdo, double-dare
and scare the crap (sometimes literally!) out of each other.
We have bobbing for Anacondas, Bam Margera's frightening encounter
with a Pit Viper, Running with the Bulls, exploding rockets,
masturbating horses, spouse-swapping, body slamming and a variety of
other stunts. If you're even remotely familiar with "Jackass", then
you're not going to this film for new enlightenment...you're going for
the same old gang doing the same old stuff and having a heck of a lot
of fun doing it.
Along the way, we get a few "B" and "C" list celebrity participants
ranging from NFL star Jason Taylor to hunkish "Murderball" quad rugby
star Mark Zupan to Rip Torn, Jay Chandrasekhar and a host of others.
As a paraplegic, I must admit a bit of envy over Zupan's being
rocketed off a pier in his wheelchair. I mean, really, he's a
quad...what else can happen to him?
Finally, too, we get a group with the balls to actually make fun of
the war on terrorism with a spot-on hilarious gag involving two
potential terrorists and their Indian cab driver (Chandrasekhar). The
bit is introduced as the best in the film...the introduction is
correct.
The challenge with any show or film constructed in such an episodic
nature is that, almost inevitably, certain episodes fail. The same is
true here, most notably a musical segment towards the end that
features a variety of closing stunts set to a Broadway show tune. It
feels awkward and out of place in a film that has celebrated
tastelessness and irreverence for the previous 90 minutes. Likewise,
director Spike Jonze is here in an initially funny bit that gets a tad
repetitive by the end of the film.
Something has changed.
Either this film is different, I am different or the gang just got me
in the right space to view the film. I think it's a balance of all
these things and the addition of one simple factor..."Jackass: Number
Two" focuses a bit more on entertainment and a bit less on shock
value. The end result is a film that is constantly offensive,
tasteless and awfully funny.
Remember Dave Chappelle's "Block Party?" It was a celebration of
community, friendship and just a really good vibe, good time film.
"Jackass: Number Two" is nothing like that.
Okay, actually it is. "Jackass: Number Two" is like a bunch of
grown-up, slightly wealthier drunken frat brothers getting together
and throwing one huge toga party with pit vipers, bulls, anacondas,
quadriplegics, nudity (male), beer and weapons.
Great movie? Not in the least, but who cares? "Jackass: Number Two" is
a bunch of great friends getting together to have one more great time.
Just remember...no petting your anaconda during the film. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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TC Candler's Comment
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