Clerks II Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)August 10th, 2006
CLERKS II
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
In CLERKS II, Jay and Silent Bob bill themselves in the credits as new and improved, and in a way they really are. With their band of merry men and women, writer and director Kevin Smith, as Silent Bob, -- joined by Jason Mewes as Jay -- creates a wonderful set of endearing characters.
But, if you've never seen a Jay and Silent Bob film before -- by far the best is the side-splittingly funny JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK -- you need to know that their brand of humor, featuring heavy use of the F-word adjective and raunchy sexual banter, can be pretty far out there. CLERKS II is the mildest and sweetest of the Jay and Silent Bob canon. Jay and Silent Bob play essentially the role of the Greek Chorus and spend most of their time commenting on the action rather than participating in it.
Most of the movie is set at Mooby's, a fast food joint much like McDonald's. A couple of thirtysomething guys, Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) and Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran), are sort of like Jay and Silent Bob, except that Dante speaks. Currently engaged to Emma Bunting (Jennifer Schwalbach), Dante really pines for his boss, Becky (Rosario Dawson), with whom he once had a one-night stand on the table where they put the mayo -- yes, it was messy.
Smith, who grew up and lives in New Jersey, sets his movies there and is never happier than when he pokes fun at the Garden State. Emma, who wears a "Mrs. Hicks" T-shirt, remarks that "Jersey sucks, and we're surrounded by morons." (For the record, I lived in a bucolic part of New Jersey for six years and loved the state.)
It isn't only sex on the minds of the characters in CLERKS II. There are bigger issues afoot, such as how THE LORD OF THE RINGS compares to STAR WARS. Elias (Trevor Fehrman), a geeky guy who works at Mooby's, is a fan of both THE LORD OF THE RINGS -- and THE TRANSFORMERS too -- so he likes to proclaim, "One ring to rule them all!" as he drops onion rings into the deep fryer.
CLERKS II is at its sweetest during a go-kart race set to "Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head" and a big dance number choreographed to "A B C."
But the ending begins to really push some limits, which we witness only by watching the shock and horror on the faces of Mooby's employees and of Jay and Silent Bob. This, however, is overlaid with a charming little love story. Sigh. True love.
The ending, which is the only part of the picture that drags, does bring good news. It's clear that Smith would like to bring us a CLERKS III. I'm so there.
CLERKS II runs 1:37. It is rated R for "pervasive sexual and crude content including aberrant sexuality, strong language and some drug material" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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