Sunday, August 21, 2011

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

One thing I always appreciate is when actors write, direct, and star in their own film (i.e. Orson Welles, Warren Beatty, Clint Eastwood, etc.).  That's one of the many things that appeal to me in Kevin Smith's film, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.  It has a plot crazy enough to intrigue, pacing that goes steady enough not to bore the viewer, and is just funny as a whole.

Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) are two stoners who have lived in the same neighborhood their entire lives and have been best friends ever since being dropped off in front of a convenience store while their mothers go in briefly.  When two kids get a restraining order to prevent the two from selling drugs outside of the same store, they lose meaning in their lives.

However, when they meet their friend Brodie, he tells them that a movie is being made based on the comic book characters inspired by Jay and Silent Bob (Bluntman and Chronic).  As they will not receive profit for the adaptation, they then make a plan to go to Hollywood to wreck the set.  On the way, nonetheless, there are many turns of events that happen as the two venture to get from New Jersey to California.

This movie is very entertaining.  Neither of the two leads are very special, but the supporting cast including a pre-Anchorman Will Ferrell and a hitchhiking George Carlin, and Ferrell steals the show each second he's on screen.  They meet up with a group of jewel thieves who are pretty flat as an ensemble, but are fascinating to see anyway.

Lastly, I just want to mention how funny the cameo is with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.  Being spoiler-free, it needs to be mentioned that the joke they make referencing a Good Will Hunting 2 (because the first one was so phenomenal in my opinion) was great.  I would pay ten dollars to see that, honestly.

All-in-all, this film isn't perfect; it is a delightful late-night comedy that you should see beyond any doubt with your friends.  You will have an enjoyable time, and stands out amongst other comedies at the time.  It's a film so bad it's great.  As a comedy, this movie receives a 2.5/4, but as a general movie, it gets a 1.5/4.