74. Jackass; movie review

 

JACKASS FOREVER

Cert 18

96 mins

BBFC advice: Contains crude and dangerous stunts, nudity

Watching men abuse each other's testicles is a rather curious way to spend 96 minutes.

But 22 years on from Johnny Knoxville and his masochistic pals beginning their Jackass series on MTV, they have returned to injure their private parts on the big screen.

To be fair, not every stunt in Jackass Forever involves exposure but it is difficult to erase an ice-puck or champion boxer's punch being successfully aimed at nether regions.

Actually, Knoxville was worst injured after being being assailed by an angry bull in an ill-advised confrontation.

'Don't try these stunts at home' advises the opening and closing credits. Who in their right mind would, I mused, while watching at Birmingham Cineworld.

Knoxville is joined by original Jackass members  Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren and Preston Lacy and newcomers to the Jackass crew.

Each stunt involves one or more of the group and those not involved who stand on the sidelines and laugh hysterically at the participants' misfortune.

Inevitably pain is suffered and there are often injuries, so bravery has to be admired as well as the novelty of the stunts.

Meanwhile, the audience finds a strange sense of pleasure in being voyeurs to the blood-letting and bruising.

I didn't hate Jackass Forever quite as much as I expected but I fear that says more about me than Jeff Tremaine's film.

If I described it as puerile, its makers and stuntmen would doubtlessly consider it a compliment.

Reasons to watch: If you enjoy testicles being pummelled

Reasons to avoid: The piles of vomit

Laughs: Three

Jumps: Two

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 4.5/10

Did you know?  In 1997 a man named Bob Craft legally changed his name to “Jack Ass.” Five years later, after the similarly-titled series and first movie had gained worldwide success, Mr. Ass sued Viacom for $10 million. He lost.

The final word. Johnny Knoxville: "We did have something on this film that we wanted to do that we weren’t allowed to do because it was going to be a $10 million deductible. I really can’t tell you what it was. We may do it one day. But it was a surgery that no one needs." Indie Wire

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