O Fortuna, velut luna, statu variabilis... thus begins the movie with this famous "O Fortuna" chorus from the opera "Carmina Burana", and with Johnny Knoxville, and his merry cohorts seen flying down the highway inside a gigantic shopping cart with smoke, explosions, fruit, and fists flying everywhere...... and then they crash. Welcome to Jackass! Perhaps you've seen the show on MTV, and were eagerly awaiting the movie since the summer. Well, the movie has arrived, and what do you plan to do? Do you really need to read this review to make up your mind? Sh'yeah right.
Jackass features extreme stunts crudely performed by Johnny and the gang involving lots of sophomoric humor, and sadomasochistic themes often focused on the testicles, and anal region. Most of the stunts are done partly for the shock value, some of it for (some of) "their moms and dads", and much of it just because they can get away with it, not being on MTV anymore.
"Alright, lemme get this over with…" -- one of the guys wrapping electrodes to his testicles.
What's more priceless? Shoving a toy car up your anus, or the stunned look of the nurse who develops the x-rays? No? How about alligator baiting with nothing more than pieces of meat tied to the back of your thong? All this is par the course in the movie. And it gets even grosser, and more shocking in the movie.
Ever wonder about that Circuit City commercial where a guy goes into the hardware store to try out the toilet? Well, Jackass got that. How about yellow snow, or finding out what it feels like snorting wasabi up your nose? You can find out if you want. Luckily you can't get hurt watching all this insanity, but it can get messy, especially if the person behind you decides to hurl.
Sometimes the anticipation is killer. Imagine waiting to get shot in the abdomen by a police riot gun, or waiting your turn for a couple of paper cuts. Think that is bad? Just try waiting your turn to get your ass kicked by Butterbean, or by Naoko Kumagai, the women's lightweight kickboxing champion.
But not everything in the movie involves puke, poop, or violence. Some of the funniest scenes are pranks involving unsuspecting bystanders a la candid camera, except the shock value is ratcheted up +1. Some of the sketches seemed like mindless frat stupidity like panda costumes running wild down the streets of Okinawa, or party boy stripping and gyrating in front of Japanese men. Then there was "The Burglars", a truly hilarious piece where a couple of guys dress themselves in black, then falls through the ceiling of a medical office spooking the workers inside. Not wanting to be a hostage, one unsuspecting worker just bolts out the door and is filmed running away for several blocks. It is not until he returns later than he was told it was all just a prank.
Of course, there was some really lame stuff in Jackass that should never have been shown. "Bungee Wedgie", and "Roller Disco Truck", what were they thinking? Maybe they were too sober when they thought those ideas up. There was also one involving shark feeding with a crotch full of shrimp, but that didn't seem to work too well, especially when you involve whale sharks. So friendly, whale sharks almost snuggle up to you.
Well at least you know what to expect... Check out the end credits for the outtakes, and the special effects trailer.
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