05 January 2007

Clerks II (Movie Review)


Saw "Clerks II" last night and I have to say I enjoyed it even more than Clerks.


This is the sixth film in Kevin Smith's intricately interconnected View Askewniverse series (the others being Clerks. (1994), Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)). The movies are all linked by characters, themes and events and each contains numerous references to the others.


The ending is easily predictable but the plot wasn't really the reason to watch the film. I laughed a lot at the well-written, well-timed dialogue, but, hey, any movie that uses the expression "ass to mouth", as in "you never go ass to mouth!", 16 times is a special one. It has the usual bunch of whack job slackers, including Jay and Silent Bob, of course, and lots and lots of details in the background and on t-shirts that add to the hilarity. Kevin Smith does a wonderful job writing, directing and playing Silent Bob, but the stars are really Brian O'Halloran (Dante), Jeff Anderson (Randal) and Rosario Dawson (Becky). Lots of cameos, too--especially enjoyable was Wanda Sykes.


Is Clerks II vulgar and juvenile? Absolutely. It's still VERY, VERY funny. I totally don't get that Clerks II is the first movie that Joel Siegel walked out on in 30 years. Come on!


And to top it all off, check this:


Kevin Smith auctioned off a walk on role on the film for funds to go to the Red Cross for aid to Hurricane Katrina victims. The final bid was $16,000 which Smith matched to give to the Red Cross.


So that's very cool.


I give it a solid 4 (of 4) Jujubees for being exactly what it promises to be--a good natured slacker romp.

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