Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

2001

Comedy

Rated: R

Running Time: 104 minutes

Starring: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Jeff Anderson, Jason Lee, Brian O’Halloran, Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter, Will Ferrell, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Judd Nelson, George Carlin, Carrie Fisher, Seann William Scott, Jon Stewart, Mark Hamill

Directed By: Kevin Smith

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Outline

Jay and Silent Bob travel to Hollywood to shut down a movie they are not getting paid for.

Review

“Ladies, ladies, ladies, Jay and Silent Bob are in the Hizzouse.” Kevin Smith has created many successful characters in the past, but none are better than Jay and Silent Bob. They have shown up in all of his movies in varying degrees, but this is the first where they are the leads.  Some people hate this duo, I think they are hilarious, and they delivered the goods in this movie. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, is a movie about the two title characters. They realize that they are receiving no money for the big screen adaptation of their comic book alter egos, Chronic and Bluntman. So they travel across the country to try and stop this movie from being made.

This may not be Smith’s finest movie, but it certainly is his funniest. If you are unfamiliar with Kevin Smith’s prior work (Clerks, Chasing Amy etc.) then you should really check that shit out. If you are familiar with his stuff, then you know that Jay and Silent Bob are always awesome when they show up. If you think a whole movie about them maybe too much, then you couldn’t be more wrong. The movie has a quick but hilarious scene of Jay and SB as kids, in front of a convenience store (The Quick Stop.) Flash forward to them as adults, and they are still in front of the same convenience store, slinging weed and generally being disruptive. Incorporating past Kevin Smith characters with a bevy of celebrity cameos, this film basically turns into a potty mouth road trip. Smith is a huge cinephile and it shows in this movie. This film has the usual amount of Star Wars references and if you need to watch this movie, it can easily be based on this statement. If you find the thought of Mark Hamill playing a character named Cocknocker, funny, then watch this film. If that sounds stupid to you, then you probably won’t enjoy the film. So Jay and SB, hitchhike across the country to hilarious results. They run into all sorts of pop culture references like the Scooby Doo clan and a Planet of the Apes scenario. Jay swears and sexually harasses his way into some crazy situations. This film is laugh out loud funny and will be appreciated much more by people who like Smith’s past work, or people who like a Family Guy, pop culture reference style of humor.

Jay and Silent Bob are played by the playful Jason Mewes and the master himself, Kevin Smith. Are they good actors? Not really. Are they funny and great at delivering comedy? Absolutely they are, and even if this film had no one else in it, it still would have been hilarious, as their chemistry is that solid. It is a testament to Smith’s talent, that so many stars wanted to be in this film. Seann William Scott, Will Ferrell, Jon Stewart, George Carlin, Ben Affleck, and many more show up in this. This film has so many funny people in it that it is never slow. Each scene has a new celebrity to offer up a new situation for jokes.

Granted this film will not be for everyone. Some people may tire of Jay’s potty mouth and one track mind. Some other people may also tire from the low brow humor, but I thought it was hilarious. Seeing all the old Smith characters is a treat, and seeing Jay and SB run from the cops will bring a smile to most people’s faces. The great thing about these characters is how stupid they can be, and yet somehow charming at the same time. If anyone else but Jay said the line “Snoochie Boochies” I would never watch another second, and yet he pulls it off. If any other character but Jay, humped a store window. I would be like, who wrote this crap? and yet he pulls it off. Lastly, if any other character but Jay and SB had a monkey with them, (Sorry Ross Gellar) I would just shake my head and ask for a refund, and yet they pull it off. Smith just understands comedy, and more importantly understands his audience. As Jay and SB struggle to shut down this movie from being made, you will realize this film maybe childish, but it is extremely entertaining and shouldn’t be missed.

Director and writer, Kevin Smith, has been producing above average to great comedy for years, and this film is his funniest in my mind. He paces the film beautifully, and while the story could be better, it is easily compensated by funny dialogue and great cameos. Jay and Silent Bob are comedy icons, and it is great to see these characters in the forefront. You can expect beautiful women, drugs, Star Wars,  and familiar characters. This is vintage Smith and just a great film. Let us hope he will make a sequel.

I give this movie a big recommendation but especially to fans of crude humor.

T Factor + If you are a Kevin Smith fan than this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you do not watch a lot of movies than this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendations: Road Trip, Sex Drive.