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A few years back I was introduced to Kevin Smith's work through my
older brother and the movie "Clerks." Since then I have gone on to see
"Mallrats" I can't sit through all of "Chasing Amy" and got to see
"Dogma" in the theaters. All were fine works, but "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"
is probably the best work he has done to date. As the commercials show,
it's the story of the characters Jay (Jason Mews) and Silent Bob (Kevin
Smith) who make the trip from New Jersey to Hollywood to stop the
production of a movie based on the characters Bluntman and Chronic.
I really like this movie because it focuses on the two characters that
have been prevalent throughout the entire Jersey trilogy and Dogma. Sure Jay and
Silent Bob have had some kind of part in all of Mr. Smith's movies, but
this movie gives them a chance to really shine. In the beginning it shows
us how they got to hanging out where they hang out (between the Quick
Stop and video store) today as well as where Jay got his motor mouth. Then
after visiting a friend, they find out what the internet is, learn about the
Bluntman and Chronic movie and start hitch hiking their way to
Hollywood. Along the way they run into a Nun, the Scooby Doo Mystery Mobile
(possibly the best scene in the movie), and a group of young ladies that
are going to protest at an animal testing lab in Colorado (there's more to
them than meets they eye but I'm not telling). Eventually they make it to
Hollywood where they run into another bunch of cameos from people
from his other movies. If you have seen most of his other films, then by all means
go and see this one. If not, go rent them this weekend and go see it on
Sunday.
My only problems with the movie are as follows.
First, he used some actor from "Saturday Night Live" in one of the most
annoying roles on screen. I think it was Will Farrell, and he should never
be allowed on screen. He's not funny and nothing he does on screen is
funny. The movie was rolling along fine until he showed up, and then the
movie slowly starts losing steam. He really tries to get it on track again
by the end, but he just screws it up. I'm sorry Mr. Smith, this was a bad
choice on the part of the person who cast him in this role.
Second, and it is expected in all Kevin Smith movies, but the level of
profanity and sex jokes is huge. I mean, I like the occasional fart or sex
joke but it seems like when Jay opens his mouth out comes a sex joke,
profanity or something just as bad. I can really see why this movie got
its R rating.
The good parts about the movie are as follows.
Silent Bob finally gets to tell off Jay in one scene. It was funny.
Drug dealers are unionized? Who knew? I think I am the only one not
part of a union at this point.
Lots of laughs if you've seen the other movies. It was good to see Dante
and Randal again. Now I really have a reason to hate Randal.
Overall it's a 3.75 star movie out of four. It would have been a four,
but when you bring in a Saturday Night Live reject, then it takes a lot of
control for me to not like the movie.
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