Clerks II.

Review by Sean Lynch
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Just because they serve you, doesn't mean they like you.

Just because they love you - doesn't mean they want a sequel from you.

Such is the sticky predicament for cult director, Kevin Smith, whose collection of films including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and the much maligned Jersey Girl have become a film nerd institution since 1994.

His latest film, Clerks 2, comes over 10 years since it's predecessor - and only two years after Smith declared to "Never use Jay and Silent Bob again". That of course was before the relative failure of his first project outside of his View Askewniverse Jersey Girl which was a massive departure from Smith's trademark, boundary pushing comedy stylings. But, time mends all wounds - and so see the return of the two men who started it all - Dante and Randal.

I have to admit, I've followed Smith's career for as long as I've loved films. He always seemed to have a perfect blend of satire, fart jokes and inane comic book conversations. Yet when I heard about a sequel to Clerks - I, like many other View Askew fans - were in two minds about it. Let's face it, every Smith movie has been a sequel in some way - yet without ever being official, thus avoiding any comparison. But now it's here, just waiting for critics and Internet freaks to yell and scream "Should have just left it as is!".

The latest film picks up ten years after the events of the first. We are treated to the familiar Black and White shot of the QuickStop convenience store, where Dante is sadly still working at. But not for long. A fire guts Dante and Randals workplace, which Randal immediately attributes to "Terrorists?", leaving the two thirty year old males out of work.

All the trademark pop culture targets are hit (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Transformers) along with some fantastic new cast members in the piping hot Rosario Dawson (Sin City) and perfectly cast Rings geek Elias. Yet, by about half way through Clerks 2, you start to get the niggling feeling that perhaps - just perhaps - there really was no point to a Clerks sequel. The simplistic brilliance of the first film, which was fuelled by a barrage of clever dialouge, seems to have been replaced by several musical montages and an overall tone that is completely out of sync with the original film. Had there been no precedent, no problems would have been apparent, yet knowing what Smith is attempting to follow up - the contrast is far to vast to enjoy.

That is, until the final half of the film. Smith masterfully seems to snap into gear with some of the best dialouge scenes he has done in years. There is emotion, there is comedy, there is intensity - and all of a sudden, your mind moves into "Hell yeah, I'm watching a Clerks Sequel!" mode. Smith brilliantly displays the deconstruction of the characters boorish facades as they finally admit that perhaps being a 30 year old movie buff is a little hollow. In fact, by the brilliant and fitting conclusion (which for Smith fans, will bring a magnificent sense of closure to the View Askewniverse), you are stuck wanting more.

This is definitely one which will take on new life and greater appreciation with further viewings - and will be a must have inclusion in household  DVD collections. However, had the first half been anywhere near the quality of the second, this could very easily be the icing on the cake for Smith. But as it stands, it's just a flitter of what could have been a sensational swan song to the New Jersey Chronicles.

Having said that...there is a Bestiality scene involving a Donkey. So, you know, it's not all that bad.

3.5 out of 5

Clerks II
Australian release: 31st August, 2006
Cast: Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Trevor Fehrman
Director: Kevin Smith
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