A good movie will leave you thinking. There’s a moment of reflection that we all have when the closing credits come up. A film like “Donnie Darko” will make you question, well, just about everything. If you didn’t leave “Rudy” with a smile on your face, you’re either a cynic or a piece of Styrofoam. I’ve never left a movie with the reoccurring notion that we were all going to hell. That is until I saw “Jackass.”Directed by Jeff Tremaine, “Jackass: The Movie” is basically the half-hour MTV shock comedy show stretched to eighty minutes. on steroids. MTV gave “Jackass” front man Johnny Knoxville and his cohorts all the freedom they could handle and sponsorship from Miller High Life (the “champagne” of beers). From that combination comes a variety of painful scenarios.
I was lucky enough to watch Steve-O, arguably the most idiotic of the group, fly headfirst into a ceiling fan after launching himself off of a trampoline. My personal favorite stunt was when he snorted (yes snorted) wasabi at a sushi bar. He then proceeded to vomit more than I thought was humanly possible. It changed my life.
Oh but there’s so much more. The true cinematic genius came out when they decided to shamelessly exploit Japanese culture. Cast member Chris Pontius makes clear that he is a huge fan of running through the streets of Tokyo in nothing but a leopard print thong, a bow tie and rabbit ears. Did I mention he also enjoys rubbing his pelvis against unassuming locals? His parents should be very proud.
Dave England is now a millionaire because he’s really good at pooping and peeing on film. Not only does he take a crap in a display toilet at a plumbing store, but he also makes a snow cone flavored with his own urine.and then eats it. Congratulations Dave, you’ve really made a name for yourself.
To sum it all up, “Jackass: The Movie” is a jaw dropping display of Testosterone gone awry. It’s disgusting, disturbing, absolutely agonizing to watch, and one of the worst films ever made. I’d see it again in a second.