Ok.. first off the top let's get this out there. This film is clearly a LOW budget affair. Just watching it.. it feels there are large seams in it.. and up through the middle just feels at times like an odd collection of "bits" loosely stitched together, some work better than others. There's other things for me even as a LONG LONG time fan don't quite work.. but, in the end? Much more of the film works than doesn't. And.. you even have this flick make you roll a tear or three by the end .. that's pretty good for a Jay and Silent Bob movie I'd say.
Kevin and Jay slip back into their characters almost seamlessly.. not THAT much has really changed.. although with the nature of the "smartphone" Bob now has a much more fun and expressive way to communicate, some of those bits do come through better than others. Other bits may depend on how you feel about the performers.. Molly Shannon and Fred Armisen for example are very hit and, mostly, big MISS for me.. so those scenes really dragged the film down (for my taste).
The entire middle section though has some sequences that work, but really are more for the hardcore fans.. example being the jokes about Smith and his new "vegan" (post heart attack) life style.. connecting together characters from Smith's other film "Yoga Hosers" (and actually earlier in the film even "Zack and Miri Make a Porno") to this film. The scene in Mooby's with Kate Micucchi made me laugh.. as did the button on the scene with Bob and the manager "Miss Mackenzie (the character from "Yoga Hosers", played by Smith's real life wife).
I think more than anything what I've grown to appreciate and enjoy from his work is hit big.. let's join the circus, all get together and put on a show mentality. Get your friends.. get a camera.. get the family and let's all go. Over 25 years the family in Smith's world has grown quite large though. With several actors not only having played several roles, and some reprising them here, but literal family members showing up on camera.
As I said the film is very clearly a low budget affair. Comparing to "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" there were several set pieces and action sequences while not huge did serve to piece the film together, that could have served the movie here.
But.. other things.. like "Milly's theme" by Smith's trusty James L. Venable is clearly inspired by John Williams theme for Princess Leia in Star Wars.. callbacks to music cues from previous films.. and the entire third act that, while Smith mocks "Return of the King" and the entire LOTR series in "Clerks 2", this film very much does feel like that curtain call thorughout.. showing what happened to so many of the characters. I won't name which ones, although from the announced cast I am sure you can guess many.
But what's the most surprising at the end of the day? This film is more about family.. and even manages to bring out some genuine sweet emotion to it. Its creaky in pieces and parts.. and it truly SUCKS that I can't give this a second or third watch to really review this better but that is owed to the release strategy and not the fault of Smith and co. PLUS.. for the hardcore fans? This film solves a 25 year old mystery that until the conclusion of the film never knew I NEEDED to know.
This is definitely a worthy followup to his previous entries. It's not quite as sharp.. but his dialogue is always is on point.. and even when the jokes may or may not land (depending on your tastes) odds are another one will very quickly land. And as this is a gift to his fans? I can only say.. THANK YOU Kevin Smith.. it was nice seeing you again, and thank you for letting us play in your yard again for a little while.
Kevin and Jay slip back into their characters almost seamlessly.. not THAT much has really changed.. although with the nature of the "smartphone" Bob now has a much more fun and expressive way to communicate, some of those bits do come through better than others. Other bits may depend on how you feel about the performers.. Molly Shannon and Fred Armisen for example are very hit and, mostly, big MISS for me.. so those scenes really dragged the film down (for my taste).
The entire middle section though has some sequences that work, but really are more for the hardcore fans.. example being the jokes about Smith and his new "vegan" (post heart attack) life style.. connecting together characters from Smith's other film "Yoga Hosers" (and actually earlier in the film even "Zack and Miri Make a Porno") to this film. The scene in Mooby's with Kate Micucchi made me laugh.. as did the button on the scene with Bob and the manager "Miss Mackenzie (the character from "Yoga Hosers", played by Smith's real life wife).
I think more than anything what I've grown to appreciate and enjoy from his work is hit big.. let's join the circus, all get together and put on a show mentality. Get your friends.. get a camera.. get the family and let's all go. Over 25 years the family in Smith's world has grown quite large though. With several actors not only having played several roles, and some reprising them here, but literal family members showing up on camera.
As I said the film is very clearly a low budget affair. Comparing to "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" there were several set pieces and action sequences while not huge did serve to piece the film together, that could have served the movie here.
But.. other things.. like "Milly's theme" by Smith's trusty James L. Venable is clearly inspired by John Williams theme for Princess Leia in Star Wars.. callbacks to music cues from previous films.. and the entire third act that, while Smith mocks "Return of the King" and the entire LOTR series in "Clerks 2", this film very much does feel like that curtain call thorughout.. showing what happened to so many of the characters. I won't name which ones, although from the announced cast I am sure you can guess many.
But what's the most surprising at the end of the day? This film is more about family.. and even manages to bring out some genuine sweet emotion to it. Its creaky in pieces and parts.. and it truly SUCKS that I can't give this a second or third watch to really review this better but that is owed to the release strategy and not the fault of Smith and co. PLUS.. for the hardcore fans? This film solves a 25 year old mystery that until the conclusion of the film never knew I NEEDED to know.
This is definitely a worthy followup to his previous entries. It's not quite as sharp.. but his dialogue is always is on point.. and even when the jokes may or may not land (depending on your tastes) odds are another one will very quickly land. And as this is a gift to his fans? I can only say.. THANK YOU Kevin Smith.. it was nice seeing you again, and thank you for letting us play in your yard again for a little while.