Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) - Miramax/Dimension

Director : Kevin Smith

Starring : Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jason Lee, Brian O'Halloran, Chris Rock, Shannon Elizabeth

Picture 1.85:1, DD 5.1, Dual-Layer, Double Disc, Keep Case

Running Time : 104 mins

The story:

Hollywood Had It Coming !

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is a tale of adventure on the open road. When Dante and Randal (of Clerks fame) get a restraining order to keep the punchy Jay (Jason Mewes) and his hetero life-partner, Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), from selling drugs in front of the Quick Stop convenience store, their lives are suddenly empty. They find new purpose when their friend, Brodie (Jason Lee), informs them a movie is being made of Bluntman & Chronic which is based on their likenesses. After visiting one of the creators of Bluntman and Chronic, Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck), they set out to get what "fat movie cash" they deserve and put an end to people slandering them on the Internet. Along the way, they learn the rules of the road from a hitchhiker, ride with a group of gorgeous jewel thieves, and incur the wrath of a hapless wildlife marshal. The quest takes them from New Jersey to Hollywood where a showdown involving the police, the jewel thieves, and the Bluntman and Chronic filmmakers will decide the fate of Suzanne, Jay, Silent Bob, and their good names.

The summary:

This is the last film in the classic Jersey chronicles - or so Kevin Smith would have you believe - although I have already seen Clerks 2 in pre-production on IMDB!. A whole movie dedicated to the stoner icons themselves. Is this a worthy addition to Smiths' movie odyssey or is it another franchise pushed to its limit. The answer is a solid thumbs up for the film, which very funnily - albeit a lot dumber than its predecessors - chronicles Jay and Silent Bobs journey from street bums to worldwide superstars.

Firstly I would like to point out that I am a great admirer of Kevin's Smiths' previous movies and rate them as some of my all time favourites. That said I went into this with apprehension - I have seen all too many classic film franchises ruined by one to many sequels. I am happy to say that my apprehension was unfounded. Now this isn't really a sequel, but it does carry a thread from all of the movies that went before. That leads me onto my second point which is that whilst the uninitiated Smith viewer will find this a very enjoyable movie - the real value in the film is for the fans. There are countless in jokes and references to all the other films. Indeed it features practically everyone ever seen in Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma with Jason Lee & Ben Affleck both playing more than one role.

The movie took me on a strange journey and turned out to be a completely different beast than the one I was expecting. If the previous four films each had a moral to tell this one certainly finds it hard to express. Its an altogether dumber affair that relies on the slapstick than some of the more referential comedy of the others. It does cleverly blend reality with its fictitious characters but overall has a much more American Pie kind of feel to it. Adolescent fart gags and crudity prevail - but then this is a Kevin Smith movie. The only downside to the film is when it strays too far from the tried and tested Smith formula and tries to be something it is not. It does meander slightly in the middle and perhaps tries to cram in too many Hollywood digs for its own good.

The cast are all excellent and really seem to enjoy themselves throughout. As always Jason Mewes as Jay is superb and the main supporting cast of Kevin Smith, Shannon Elizabeth and Jason Lee all give great comic performances. Overall Smith has assembled a very long list of famous friends and fans alike to star in this one final movie in which he goes out with all guns blazing.

The DVD is a double disc affair reminiscent of the previous mallrats and Dogma Collectors editions. Sound and picture are both worthy of the movie, but it is with the extra's that this package shines. You really get the impression that this was put together with the fans in mind. Especially impressive is the 42 deleted scenes that almost run as long as the movie. Overall this is a very worthy addition to anyone's collection whether you are a fan or not. Something that will keep you laughing on repeated viewings and will no doubt uncover more references the more you see it.

Extras:

* Sneak Peeks - Trailers of 40 Days & 40 Nights, Jay and Silent Bob The Soundtrack Album, Dimension Films, Clerks, Chasing Amy & Clerks Uncensored (Animated)

* Internet Trailers - 2 Internet trailers for the film, which were some of the first to appear uncut on the net. Includes intro's from Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes.

* TV Spots - 6 TV Spots

* Gag Reel - An 8m 38s outtakes reel entitled "Why Movies Cost So Much" with an intro by Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes.

* Still Galleries - 3 Galleries of photo's from the movie. The galleries are : On the set, Birth of a poster & Jay & Silent Bob Comics.

* Behind The Scenes Featurette - A behind the scenes documentary that includes interviews with all the major cast and crew. 13m 38s.

* The Secret Stash - 4 Short films that showcase the comedic talent of some of the supporting cast. Includes Judd Nelson and Ben Affleck.

* Deleted Scenes - This is the most deleted scenes I have ever seen for a DVD release. 42 - Yes 42 ! - scenes, all of them introduced by Kevin Smith and other members of the cast. Some are great - some are worthy of deletion. As a collection they rank as by far the best extra on the disc.

* Morris Day & The Time - Learning The Moves - The band featured at the end of the movie in their own behind the scenes Featurette. Only 1m 55s though.

* Guide to Morris Day & The Time - Another feature on the band. Someone must be a big fan - Kevin Smith one would presume. Text based biog of The Time, who apparently were one of the most influential funk bands of the 1980's.

* Comedy Centrals' Reel Comedy - A Comedy Central original documentary looking at Jay & Silent Bob from their own special perspective. A great documentary with some brilliant cast interviews. 21m 58s.

* Cast & Crew Filmographies - One of the most comprehensive filmography lists we have seen. Text based, but very detailed. Includes 18 major cast and crew.

* Music Video's - The promo's for the wonderful "I Got High" by Afroman and "Kick some Ass" by Stroke 9.

* Storyboards - A gallery of storyboard art used during the films conception.

* Hidden Feature - Accessed from the Filmography section. Go to Jason Mewes and select "balls" - What you are "treated" to is a close up of the very same !

DVD-ROM :

* Exclusive Web Links - View Askew and Miramax

* Screenplay Viewer - Watch the film, read the script - Together !

* Filmographies - Enhanced filmographies for some of the cast

* Guide To Morris Day And The Time - A more in depth look at the band

Our Verdict...

Wild and Stupid fun in this close to the "Jersey" series of films from Kevin Smith. Silent Bob and Jay are great as always and the cameos are endless. 7/10

Richly coloured and very crisp and clear. The Stoners have never looked as good. 8/10

Dolby Digital 5.1 that pushes the boundaries of comedy films. Some great rear surround moments and a good level of bass. 8/10

A perfectly formed second disc full of extra's. This is in the same vein as the recent Dogma and Mallrats collectors editions and is very well put together. Look out for those deleted scenes 9/10

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