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Jackass: The Movie
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Writer: Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, Johnny Knoxville
MPAA Rating: R (Dangerous, Sometimes Extremely Crude Stunts, Language, and Nudity)
Genre: Comedy
Our Take on the Film
30-Second Plot Review
How Does It Look?
How Does It Sound?
Bonus Features and Material
Easter Eggs
Parent's Guide
DVD-ROM
OUR TAKE ON THE FILM: 1 out of 10
There comes a time when a man must simply stop being so diplomatic and simply tell it like it is. Numerous times in the past I've done my best to review a
movie as though it were "my kind of film" to ensure a fair review. The only exception that pops to mind was something I thought was so miserable - 'The
Sweetest Thing' - that a film couldn't possibly be worse. I was wrong. I'm sure fans would note I'm neither young enough or cool enough to "get this", and
it's possible there's some truth to that. My immaturity typically knows no bounds, and therefore one might think this sort of thing would be right up my
alley. This thing should be up nobody's alley. I can't fathom a single person enjoying this, and while I know there are some that will, that's not going
to force me into some moronic positive review on something I simply refuse to endorse. If this is something you enjoy, stop reading reviews now. Any
review. You don't need them. What passes for comedy in present time is not comedy. Opinionated? Yes. You may be able to tell I really could care
less. I just wasted four hours reviewing a film and features that under no circumstances should never, ever have been created, let alone make $65 million at
the box office. Go ahead and watch it. Enjoy it, if you can. There is no single film I have ever seen in my life that I would rather watch less than
this Grade-A restaurant-quality piece of crap.
30-SECOND PLOT REVIEW
It won't take that long - guys do stunts and pranks of an extreme nature. Hilarity ensues.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
The film is presented in separate 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and 4:3 fullscreen versions. While under normal circumstances I'd delicately phrase how the
film's aesthetic qualities are questionable, I feel comfortable enough at this point to tell you the movie looks like crap. This won't be a surprise to
fans of the TV show who are used to the hidden keyhole camera tricks used to snag some of the footage and so forth, and I suppose considering the source it
actually doesn't look that bad. But it most certainly looks like the TV show, which if you paid $13.50 for a ticket to see is probably irritating. Not bad
for a $5 rental, I suppose.
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
The film is offered in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound in English and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound in English, with optional English subtitles. Ditto
the above - it would seem in the making of that they made some effort to make things "bigger" than TV, but if that's the case there's no discernible level
of success. Fans of the TV show won't be disappointed, fans of movies will.
BONUS FEATURES AND MATERIAL
Unfortunately for me, quite a few bonus features are thrown in here to keep you occupied, starting off with the first of two commentary tracks -
Commentary by Director, Cinematographer, and Johnny Knoxville. Together with Jackass Cast Group Commentary things almost turn into a three
different films, as is the case with Documentaries that come with commentary tracks. Because the majority of the film is stunts + discussion we get a new
look at things. The first commentary is, of course, the more "sophisticated" as it consists of a bit more stable, technical discussion on how some things
were done, as well as your typical juvenile banter. The second track is out of control, as expected, and for those of you that do enjoy this film you're
going to be laughing yourself silly. You go! MTV's "Making of Jackass The Movie" (24:35) was better than I expected, as I was simply expecting
excerpts from the film. Instead we do get some new footage and some looks at the after effects of many stunts - fans will enjoy it. Outtakes (7:11)
close off the first page of features, and it's pretty self-explanatory. Additional Footage (27:52) left me wondering why most if it wasn't included
in the feature film. With running time at a paltry 84-minutes you're looking at over a third more film here, and there's no difference in quality between
feature and these extras. For those who care the segments are titled Grocery Store Shopping Cart, Pocket Ass Return, Seattle Skimboarding, Ceiling Fan,
Bullfighting for Dollars, Gary's Dog, Mustard Assault, Preston Chases Wee Man, Party Boy Rockabilly, Poo River Pole Vault, Little Red Wagon, Bamboo Boo,
Steve-O Nurse Shark, Phil Vs. Alligator, Party Boy Rat Tail, Sand Vagina, Party Boy Crosswalk, Party Boy Philosophy, and The Failed Ending. We
move on to Music Videos for "If You're Gonna Be Dumb" by Roger Alan Wade (3:12) and "We Want Fun" by Andrew W.K. (4:10), and then to
Jackass the Movie Promo Spots (5:03) titled Peer Pressure, Immunization, Nutrition, Hobbies, Doctor, Safety on Wheels, Merchandise Promo, Critical
Acclaim, and Soundtrack Version C. A Theatrical Trailer (1:11) is mercifully bringing us closer to the end with only Cast and Crew
Biographies and Galleries standing in the way. I did forget to mention that before you reach the feature you're subjected to unrequested movie
trailers for The Core (2:30), Extreme Ops (2:25), and the MTV Jackass (Volumes 2&3) (0:52).
EASTER EGGS
None that we could find, but we didn't look too hard.
PARENTS GUIDE
The MPAA rates this film R for dangerous, sometimes extremely crude stunts, language, and nudity, and the Canadian Home Video Rating is also an R. This is
not a kid's movie. It contains discussion of drunk driving, alcohol intake, visual looks at human feces (more than once), snorting wasabi up the
nose, plenty of vomit, drinking urine, plenty of frontal and rear male nudity, about 35 F-words, 20 S-words, 20 A-words, and a smattering of lesser words,
and tons of violent and sometimes gory stunts including the insertion and X-raying of a toy car up a man's butt. Har har!
DVD-ROM FEATURES
This film reviewed Sunday, March 23, 2003 in Dolby Digital 5.1 Stereo Sound on the DVD format.
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