Jackass: The Movie Review
Posted by Jacob Ziegler on 11.03.2002
Johnny Knoxville and the gang from MTV’s “Jackass” stretch their usual 30-minute weekly show into an uncensored 90-minute gross-out fest.
Jackass: The Movie
Release Date: October 25, 2002
Like their predecessors “Beavis and Butthead” and “South Park,” everyone knew it was just a matter of time before the popular MTV show “Jackass” was turned into a film. There was too much bad language and gross content for these guys to not make a movie without network TV restrictions. Also, after the huge success Spike Jonze (one of the show’s creators) had with Being John Malkovich, it is easy to see how this movie got made.
Understand, however, that I use the term “movie” in the very loosest sense possible. It has no semblance of plot, characters, or progression. It is merely a compilation of skits, exactly like the show. I certainly support that idea, as to try and make it anything else would be silly. The movie, basically boils down to one fact: do you like the show? If the answer is yes, see the movie. If the answer is no, stay far, far away.
For anyone who does not know the gist of this show, I will outline it briefly. Johnny Knoxville and his friends go around with a camera, doing anything and everything they please. Everything they do either involves something completely disgusting, or ridiculously dangerous. Someone usually goes to the hospital, or at least gets very hurt.
It is hard to know where to begin when giving this movie critical analysis. Suffice to say that if one can make it through this entire movie without feeling sick, one could make it through anything unscathed. At several times a cameraman becomes ill, and at one point even passes out. “Don’t knock over the beer” is the cast’s response. That pretty much sums up their entire view on life.
The cameo appearances are some of the best parts. Tony Hawk shows up in the skateboarding section, as the guys put on their padded suits and fall up and down the ramps. Butterbean appears and participates in a boxing match with Knoxville in the middle of a department store. Butterbean destroys Knoxville (obviously), but then allows him one free shot. Then Butterbean knocks him out again. When he wakes, Knoxville asks if Butterbean is okay. Spike Jonze himself appears as the guys dress up with old man makeup and ride little motor cars around town. Henry Rollins drives a jeep off-road while one of the guys tries to get a tattoo. The hilarity goes on with no real rhyme or reason for eighty minutes or so, which for me was too much, for others not enough.
The 411: Jackass: The Movie has been lambasted by critics, even called the worst film ever made by some. That really is not fair, as Jackass cannot really be compared to other films. Like I said earlier, if you like the show, the film will undoubtedly satisfy, if you hate the show the film will make you hate it more. For the final rating, I award the film a score of ten for making me laugh, but zero for possessing absolutely no redeeming qualities.
