JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK (2001) / ** 1/2
Directed by Kevin Smith, from his screenplay. Starring Jason Mewes, Smith, Ben Affleck. Running time: 104 minutes. Rated R for offensive language by the MFCB. Reviewed on September 6th, 2001.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Potheads Jay (Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) learn from their friend Holden (Affleck) that their likenesses are being used in a new feature film, based on a comic book created by Holden and his ex-partner, Banky (Jason Lee). Determined to put a stop to the movie, Jay and Silent Bob set out for Hollywood. En route, they befriend a monkey, encounter a quartet of suspicious women -- including the lovely Justice (Shannon Elizabeth) -- and run afoul of a hapless wildlife offer (Will Ferrell).
Review: "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back" feels like a late-night wrap party; it's a loud, fun, silly release. "Jay And Silent Bob" has none of the keen ethical acuity of "Dogma" or "Chasing Amy", nor "Clerks"'s sly social awareness; it's just a traditional road comedy, an excuse to put a bunch of Smith characters (and actors) back onto the screen one last time and take a few more potshots at his favourite targets. The result, not unexpectedly, is somewhat uneven, and exhibits a "Saturday Night Live"-like ignorance of when a joke has outlived its usefulness. To a degree, it's also a rather inaccessible movie: if you're unfamiliar with earlier Smith flicks, the appearance of some actors in multiple roles may be confusing. Similarly, if you've never heard of, say, the debate over Greedo shooting first, much of the cinema-oriented humour may not be to your taste. That said, there are moments of brilliance, especially for Smith aficionados: the "Scooby Doo" and "Planet Of The Apes" pastiches are priceless, as is the scene in which the title characters provide wish fulfillment for any long-suffering Usenetter. And "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back" succeeds as a last hurrah for Smith's seminal creations: it both celebrates the characters, and leaves us satisfied that their story has now been told.
Copyright 2001 Shannon Patrick Sullivan. Archived at The Popcorn Gallery, http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sps/movies.html
| Shannon Patrick Sullivan | shannon@mun.ca | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ / Doctor Who: A Brief History of Time (Travel) go.to/drwho-history \ \__ We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars __/
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