Courtney Howard // Film Critic
JACKASS: BEST AND LAST
Rated R, 1 hour and 32 minutes
Directed by: Jeff Tremaine
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason ‘Wee Man’ Acuña, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Sean “Poopies” McInerney, Zach Holmes, Adam Ray, Paul Walter Hauser, Rachel Wolfson, Spike Jonze, Brad Pitt, Ryan Dunn
“It’s a butthole,” proclaims an unenthused Dave England after reaching his hand into a glory hole and getting pranked during a multi-pronged comedy bit that literally puts the “ass” in embarrassing in JACKASS: BEST AND LAST. With these kinds of puerile stunts, the masochistic men behind the JACKASS franchise have staked their fame, fortune, friendships and bodily fluids to deliver us with the most audacious, uproarious and disgusting (complementary!) entertainment for the past 26 years. Yet the glory days of their uninhibited, self-inflicted goofery are sadly now on the wane, thanks to advancing age and – more shocking than the actual shock collar on Poopies’ penis – a sense of maturity, knowing when to call it quits.
While commentary on male camaraderie has always been infused into each and every installment, in this final chapter, it’s like a door has swung wide open, shining a light on the series’ hidden facets. And what we see is a superbly nostalgic, highly emotional climax that ends on a high note for these beautifully minded Sultans of Stupidity. Junk punches, human cannon launches, and elegiac electrocutions provide the violence that accompanies the men’s vulnerability. This chapter opens on longtime host Johnny Knoxville overcome with emotions, shooting their first day on their last movie. His reflective pause, nuanced physicality, slight quiver in his voice and honest answer that he’s “sad” it’s ending, feels like a disarmingly endearing moment unmatched by any crazy, death-defying stunt he’s done before – even getting concussed by a gigantic bull. There’s never been – and may never will be – a better person to welcome their audience to a wince-inducing funhouse of fucked-up farce.
These ridiculous sketches have been bonding exercises and the film looks back on the silly shenanigans that have led them up until this year when they filmed their final explosive finale (one that shook the Southland, sending a plume of smoke hovering above Simi Valley). Playing a bit like an uproarious clips show, Tremaine’s feature splices together new and old bits that haven’t seen the light of day, or are classic memorable ones. It partially acts as a time machine, from the abduction of A-lister Brad Pitt (which was incidentally shot by longtime producer Spike Jonze, who also makes a brief cameo during the end credits) to the very first unaired gag showing Knoxville shooting himself with a 9mm gun at close range while sporting a Kevlar vest and a few copies of Hustler magazine. They also finally show why the JACKASS troupe were barred from filming in West Hollywood for a decade.
Similar to previous chapters, Tremaine and co build upon their legacy, including a more diverse group. JACKASS FOREVER added Rachel Wolfson to the crew (who sadly is dealt short shrift in her follow-up as she’s primarily tasked to observe men being hilariously tortured) and now the gang have added jokester robot Larry, voiced by Adam Ray, who’s quick wit works faster than the robot can typically move. His star-making debut involves a prostate exam, a jar of crunchy peanut butter and willing patient Steve-O. Fitting with grand tradition, this film’s celebrity cameo is Paul Walter Hauser, who likens his appearance in a game show-themed stunt to “Make-a-Wish if it were a punishment.”
The best parts of these films are always the stunts that make poor, unwitting cameraman Lance Bangs retch and puke. Right out of the gate, we see him dry heaving after being forced to smell Larry’s finger after being in Steve-O’s rectum. It’s an amazing miracle he’s able to keep it together later in the film when the 50+-year-old co-stars drink a laxative and play a Twister-like game as the effects of the cocktail take effect, stinking up the confined space.
Tackling aging through an outrageously comedic lens is oddly heartening to witness. Gray hair, wrinkles and sun damage now mark more than a few cast members. Steve-O has his glasses on while he attempts to shoot a ping-pong ball out of his butt. Plus, Poopies’ lip injections mirror the preposterous beauty treatments folks go through to stave off time. How the comedy within the sketches have aged also come into play and, for the most part, all still earn our laughter. There’s only one sketch showing Wee Man in a bar that hasn’t aged well, despite its goof being on the bar patrons.
Sophomoric in the best of ways, JACKASS: BEST AND LAST is a great way to say goodbye. While Knoxville and his team may not have created enough new material to power a whole feature, what’s there shows that there’s enough gas left in the tank to power a high-speed engine. It gives new meaning to the term greatest hits. May these guys forever be agelessly asinine.
Grade: B-
JACKASS: BEST AND LAST opens in theaters on June 26.
