Directed By:
Jeff Tremaine
Written By:
Johnny Knoxville
Starring:
Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius
Genre:
Documentary, Action, Comedy
Rated: R for strong crude material and dangerous stunts, graphic nudity and language throughout.
All media used courtesy of Dickhouse Productions, Gorilla Flicks, Paramount Pictures
Jackass was the first film I ever snuck into. I wasn’t old enough, and my parents were also going to a movie that night. I has convinced them I was heading to a different film and sneaked right past the usher into the dark room of terror. Terror, because I was not prepared for what I saw that night. ballsacks, stunts, the type of humor you felt bad laughing about yet also admired the stupid bravery of these people putting their body in harm for you. How funny that in the 4th installment, 20 years later we would still be here, and that time would age the series like a fine wine that when re-introduced would show more depth and humor than the previous films could.
I’m as shocked as anyone to have been emotionally invested in these clowns in their swan song film. The returning cast are all veterans in the field of ill-advised stunt work. But this time they are bringing new members to the team and they carry on the torch well. Some of these stunts are my favorite of the entire series. Seeing these friends laughing at the insanity they put each other through is heartwarming to see. It’s great to see more than just people damage their bodies You get a glimpse into the relationships built through their work and the love they all have for each other.
I don’t want to spoil too much of the film, but I will say this is a type of film that rarely is every able to be experienced on the big screen. We’re often given CGI-heavy stunts and effects that never have stakes, or we see incredible stunt work or actors doing their own stunts like Tom Cruise… but completing the stunts correctly. In Jackass Forever, the stunts are successful when they fail. The successful stunts are as surprising to the crew as it is for you, because you aren’t here for a safely completed stunt. You want the carnage, and they deliver. For that reason I strongly suggest watching this in theaters with a crowd to laugh, gasp, and maybe vomit at the experience Jackass Forever gives you.
Will there be another? Who knows. The way is paved for the new stuntmen and women to carry the baton and grab the bull by the horns. Where does Jackass fit in a world where YouTube creators make thousands by doing exactly what Jackass does. What I have come to realize is that the reason Jackass Forever works most is not because of the stunts, but the friends you’ve made along the way.
