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BONUS REVIEW
Film: Jackass: Number Two (2006) [R] 95 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $3.00
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 22 September 2006
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Directed by: Jeff Tremaine (Jackass: The Movie)
Written by: Sean Cliver and Preston Lacy
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Johnny Knoxville (The Dukes of Hazzard) • Bam Margera (Grind) • Steve-O (Blind Horizon) • Chris Pontius (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle) • Preston Lacy (Grind) • Ryan Dunn (A Halfway House Christmas) • Ehren McGhehey (Grind) • Jason Acuña (Grind) • Dave England (Jackass: The Movie)
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
At first, I had planned to write a one sentence review "If you cannot say something nice, don't say anything at all." For Jackass: Number Two. The more I thought about the film, however, the more I realized that this is just as much of a cop out as people who simply write how terribly depraved this whole Jackass phenomenon is. And if you don't believe it's a phenomenon in the USA, you don't want to believe. And not wanting to believe it, doesn't make it so. At last night's 8:00 p.m. show, there were people sitting on the floor to get to see the film. Sad, maybe, but true nonetheless. I have to admit that I did not see the first film nor the television show, so I am unable to make comparisons. I didn't pay to see this film, since I had a free pass. I also must admit that this type of 'humor' is not my scene. Watching chronologically adult men conceive ever more deviously sick and twisted ways to torture themselves for a laugh, none of which will I describe herein because unlike these guys, I don't believe a big red warning label stating "Don't try this at home" actually does anything but encourage people to try it at home, brings me absolutely nothing but empathy. I was reminded, actually, of a line in Michael Crichton's Jurrassic Park which reads something to the effect that scientists spend too much time trying to figure out if doing something is possible and not enough time thinking about whether or not doing something is a good idea. In other words, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. And, that is sort of how I feel now about the Jackass phenomenon. Yes, you can pull stupid, maniacal, irresponsible, dangerous, pranks; set up ridiculous, petulant, foolish, thoughtless, ill-advised, reckless, stunts; and participate in misguided, savage, degenerate acts of self-humiliation and self-destruction for money and to evoke laughter if, indeed, you can. However, that does not mean that you should. It seems like a cop out to say, "Well, it's funny and people pay to see it." I'm not suggesting that anyone associated with the films or tv show ever said this precisely. However, I have heard a lot of fans of the show and films use this as their justification for why this phenomenon exists, and for why they think these guys are geniuses. For the opponents, of course, it's very easy to say things like, "Too bad these guys don't harness that creative energy and comedic talent to make really good movies and contribute to human culture in a meaningful way." But, really, then you see films like Beerfest, Scary Movie 4, Larry the Cable Guy, or Hostel, and you have to say, that there are plenty of movie teams about which you could say the same thing and these Jackass guys are no worse just because they don't try to disguise their antics in a badly conceived, poorly written plots.
Overall, it disappoints me that although our species has evolved so far as to be able to start to cure cancer, there is a vein among us that still possesses a morbid curiosity and sense of humor that fuels these types of films. It saddens me that teenagers and young adults spend their hard-earned money, or their parents'/guardians' hard-earned money on films of this genre. Which is why, I say, the experience brings me nothing but empathy.
Overall, it disappoints me that although our species has evolved so far as to be able to start to cure cancer, there is a vein among us that still possesses a morbid curiosity and sense of humor that fuels these types of films. It saddens me that teenagers and young adults spend their hard-earned money, or their parents'/guardians' hard-earned money on films of this genre. Which is why, I say, the experience brings me nothing but empathy.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Jackass: Number Two (2006) Cast Members
Johnny Knoxville
• Bam Margera • Steve-OChris Pontius
• Preston Lacy • Ryan DunnEhren McGhehey
• Jason Acuña • Dave England| Related DVD | ||
| Related VHS | Related DVD | Related DVD |
Jackass: Number Two (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
"If you cannot say something nice, don't say anything at all." For Jackass: Number Two, however, that's as much of a cop out as people who simply write how terribly depraved the Jackass phenomenon is. Better to show some empathy. The film conjures a line in Michael Crichton's Jurrassic Park which reads something to the effect that scientists spend too much time trying to figure out if doing something is possible and not enough time thinking about whether or not doing something is a good idea. In other words, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. This is how I feel about the Jackass phenomenon. You can pull stupid, maniacal, irresponsible, dangerous, pranks; set up ridiculous, petulant, foolish, thoughtless, ill-advised, reckless, stunts; and participate in misguided, savage, degenerate acts of self-humiliation and self-destruction for money and to evoke laughter. However, that does not mean that you should.
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