Dir: Jeff Tremaine
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, and Jason' Wee Man' Acuña
1h 36m
What started as a clip show on MTV called "Jackass," where a group of friends attempt crazy stunts, gleefully engage in gross-out humor, and treat each other to a variety of torturous antics, has turned into a more than a 20-year franchise. The group's ringleader, Johnny Knoxville, reunites the crew in "Jackass Forever" for more outlandish behavior with the help of some famous friends and new blood ripe for the challenge of impressing the almost/over 50-year-old "professionals."
Directed by Jeff Tremaine, the often cruel-hearted filmmaking instigator looking for the perfect shot of the wild stunts wastes no time getting comfortable with this installment of the series. The whole team returns; extreme Steve-O, mostly naked Chris Pontius, always terrified Danger Ehren, reluctant Preston Lacy, smiling 'Wee Man,' and nervous Dave England.
"Jackass Forever" is a performance art piece at its most primal state. A brand of mayhem and menace born of slapstick comedy, daredevils, and raunchy jokes come to reality. Before YouTube offered extreme stunts and practical jokes at the click of a few buttons, "Jackass" was the prototype for extreme behavior committed to video. When the first film made its way to theaters in 2002, it was audacious, ridiculous, and controversial. Still, the audience's response in front of the screen was rip-roaring laughter mixed with 'oohs' and 'ahhs.' It was a communal experience, one that made the event so much more entertaining than just sitting at home.
Despite the crew's age and obvious reluctance towards going for bigger stunts, the segments in "Jackass Forever" are still hilariously amusing. The introduction is a Godzilla rip-off in the most inappropriately raunchy way possible. After that, a scorpion is used for beauty modification, a bear finds fresh salmon in a locked room, a marching band operates a supercharged treadmill, and an aggressive bull interrupts a magic show. It's childish, dangerous, demented, and surprisingly delightful.
New friends join the Jackass crew, a group of committed young people who seem inspired and influenced by the original team. Comedian Rachel Wolfson, the first lady of Jackass, stuntman Sean 'Poopies' McInerney, and actors Jasper Dolphin, Eric Manaka, and Zach Holmes all take the invitation to join without complaint. Part of the fun of this new film is the addition of these new people; they are excellent personalities, and it's enjoyable watching the old guard work alongside the new blood.
"Jackass Forever" relishes in pushing the boundaries of good taste, safety, and awkward situations; it's a brand they have mastered after all these years. Johnny Knoxville leads by example, the master of ceremonies who breaks nervous tension with his iconic laugh, allowing the viewer to laugh along with the mayhem. It's enjoyable chaos, a trip to the movies to experience this wild exercise in performance art with a group of people. "Jackass Forever," after two years amid a pandemic, is escapism cinema at its best.
Monte's Rating
3.75 out of 5.00
