Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Starring: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Shannon Elizabeth
Director: Kevin Smith

Rating: R

Studio: Dimension

Review Posted: 11.3.01

Spoilers: Minor

Rating: 9/10

By Brad T. Bush.

I saw Kevin Smith on "Politically Incorrect" a while back and after some playful jabbing from Bill Maher regarding the content of his films, he summed up his cinematic forays by saying this: "I make dumb movies for smart people." "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" continues in this tradition, although Smith seems to take this film farther into the 'dumb' realm than he has in his previous efforts. Thankfully, though, Smith knows what he is doing. "Strike Back" is not only a full on barrage of gay, penis, and fart jokes; it is also his most flat-out hilarious movie to date.

"JSBSB" is the fourth installment in Smith's Jersey 'trilogy' and so we're back east, where Smith's trademark recurring comic duo are still in front of the Quick Stop, still lacking tact and legal employment. Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) soon discover that they are being trash talked on the Internet, and a cross-country road trip with intentions of foiling a film based on their likeness ensues. The plot here is ridiculous, as it usually is in Smith's films, and it soon becomes secondary to Mewes's crass brand of humor and the plethora of cameos that spread throughout the film. Smith uses both of these aspects to keep the film both interesting and constantly moving forward.

If I had one worry going into this film, it was that Smith might have made a more mass-market friendly film this time around, leaving his cult fans disappointed. He has somehow managed to find a middle ground with this film, and anyone who knows his previous work will be impressed with all the inside jokes he has managed to throw in. At the same time, those not familiar with Smith’s catalog will not be left confused by the bit players in this film. They are simply too funny to even be given a second thought. Two of these supporting actors, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, are able to pull of humor that is self-deprecating to the point of absurdity, and it is one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

"JSBSB" left me feeling short changed at all, it was simply from knowing that this will be the only time I get to see these two characters have a whole movie all to themselves. Jason Mewes somehow manages to carry the film, and it is too bad that Smith has decided to retire the characters that have become synonymous with his name and his work just when they had finally hit their stride. However, he certainly gave them a very fitting send off.

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