Since first appearing in Jackass on MTV in 2000, Johnny Knoxville and his gang of risk-taking reprobate chums have become very rich and very famous. Personally, I would rather wallow in obscurity than eat animal crap, chug down fresh horse semen, stick leeches to my balls or risk death in a variety of unpleasant ways, but each to his own. And while these guys are willing to risk life and limb for the sake of entertainment, I'm going to watch, because, quite simply, the results are hilarious.
Taking things several steps further than the first movie, Jackass Number Two (Unrated) is a non-stop thrill ride in which all members of the team experience pain and humiliation in huge doses. Occasionally the skits become a little too scatological and crude for my taste, but the sheer insanity of most of the stunts and pranks mean that it is easy to overlook the less palatable stuff.
And, like the first movie, Number Two is funniest when it's not trying so hard to disgust. Jackass The Movie's finest moment was Air Horn Golf, a simple juvenile prank that had me in stitches; in the sequel, my award for funniest moment goes to the old man (Knoxville in heavy prosthetic makeup) with his balls hanging out of his shorts. Spike Jonze's as an old lady who repeatedly flashes her saggy breasts is a close runner-up.
Of course, with a movie of this nature, those who are easily offended should stay well away, but the rest of us who enjoy such childish stuff will have a great time. No doubt there is a third film in the offing; I look forward to seeing them try and top the sheer lunacy of Number Two.
Taking things several steps further than the first movie, Jackass Number Two (Unrated) is a non-stop thrill ride in which all members of the team experience pain and humiliation in huge doses. Occasionally the skits become a little too scatological and crude for my taste, but the sheer insanity of most of the stunts and pranks mean that it is easy to overlook the less palatable stuff.
And, like the first movie, Number Two is funniest when it's not trying so hard to disgust. Jackass The Movie's finest moment was Air Horn Golf, a simple juvenile prank that had me in stitches; in the sequel, my award for funniest moment goes to the old man (Knoxville in heavy prosthetic makeup) with his balls hanging out of his shorts. Spike Jonze's as an old lady who repeatedly flashes her saggy breasts is a close runner-up.
Of course, with a movie of this nature, those who are easily offended should stay well away, but the rest of us who enjoy such childish stuff will have a great time. No doubt there is a third film in the offing; I look forward to seeing them try and top the sheer lunacy of Number Two.