JACKASS FOREVER: Twenty Years Since The Original, and Stronger Than Ever
Paramount Pictures
Directed by Jeff Tremaine
Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren, Preston Lacy, Sean “Poopies” McInerney, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, Rachel Wolfson, and Eric Manaka
The Jackass crew is back, and boy could there return not have come at a better time. With the world divisive as ever, and the pandemic rearing strong two years in. The world needed laughs and something to just bring joy despite all the anxiety of the real world. Enter Johnny Knoxville and his crew of misfits, willing to put their bodies and minds to the ringer even years later to just provide joy to the audience. That’s what Jackass as a franchise has been about since the first time the crew appeared on our TV screens. Testing their bodies and putting themselves through the ringer all for the amusement of the audience.
After 11 years, the Jackass crew is back for their final crusade.
This is a weird film to review so to speak, because of the composition that it is composed of stunts and bits. What I can say with full confidence is that this is the best film since it’s original from 2002, if not my all time favorite in the franchise so far. Leaving my screening, I was left wanting even more hijinks from this crew because there is so much left for them to do especially with the new faces that joined on. We get this blend of original gags, and some brand new stuff all that works together well to bring the most joy and laughter to audiences worldwide. I was so relieved that they decided to leave more of the disgusting stuff from Jackass 2 and Jackass 3 where it relied on poop and puking bits to try and get jokes, leaving that for the most part behind and focusing more on physical stunts and gags its what made this one more stomach-able and just overall better than its predecessors.
The cast is mostly back, and boy even with age they were ready to put themselves through the ringer. Knoxville is as charismatic as ever and you can just tell the love he has for what they have crafted over these years. Danger Ehren is the other original that stands out, I don’t think anyone has put themselves through more over the years than Ehren has and that continues in this film. From physical pain and to being mentally harassed- Ehren has put his body through so much for the crowd and he deserves his flowers. The new blood within the group absolutely rejuvenated the franchise. Every single one them was ready to do what needed to be done to become an official member of the Jackass crew. Poopies felt right at home as a new school member that really would’ve fit the vibe even back in the 2000’s, he thrived off the insanity that is Jackass. While Rachel Wolfson makes history as the first female member of the crew, and she absolutely stood out in every scene she was in. She took her stunts like a champ, and stole the camera every single time she was on it. With a fifth one hopefully on the way, I hope there’s more for Wolfson to do because she proved just how much she meant business.
Jackass Forever is a love letter to everything that has come before, and that bright spot that we all need more than ever. Fans of the series will be thrilled to see this new chapter, and new fans will become attached to the product and want to see the prior gags to fully appreciate the series. This is the ultimate movie for friends to just sit down and share some laughs, most importantly shutting off the insanity of the world.
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