Jackass Number Two

Review by Mark Bennett

Ever since watching the original Jackass movie three or four years ago, I’ve been trying to figure out why I and a preponderance of young men aged 14-30 find such antics hilarious, why so many people think Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and company are cool for putting themselves in harm’s way.

Just before attending a screening of Jackass Number Two, enlightenment finally struck. Politicians, scientists and the media are forever expounding on life’s dangers, all the things we shouldn’t do, what’s will happen if we’re not careful. Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t eat fatty foods, don’t drive too fast, don’t have sex without a condom, don’t use your mobile too long – don’t, don’t, don’t.

Jackass, which has now been with us for almost six years, is the antidote to the media’s endless hand-wringing negativity. Jackass says, “Fuck it, do whatever you want. Who cares what happens?”

Now that might not be a good mantra by which to run your life, but in small doses such nihilism can be liberating. And if you can enjoy it vicariously without putting yourself in danger, how can that be a bad thing?

Okay, with the pop-philosophy out of the way, let me say Jackass Number Two has lost some of the edginess that made the MTV series and the first movie such a phenomenon. Not all of it, not even a lot of it, but enough for a keen fan to notice. Two things contribute to this. First, Jackass Number Two had a much larger budget than any of the previous releases, and it shows. Too much thought has gone into cooking up elaborate, crazy-arse schemes and travelling to different countries when Jackass’ appeal has always been the stupid joy of watching a group of guys do something dumb in front of a camera feeling like you’re standing there with them. Second, the stunts, quips and expletives feel scripted this time. It’s clear the gang have all reunited from their various projects and are TRYING to be Jackasses – and in the process losing some of that zany, on-the-spot delirium that so attracted viewers.

Is Jackass Number Two funny? Hell yes. Personal favourite scenes include ‘The Fart Mask’ (where Steve-O is wearing a plastic helmet and Preston Lacey breaks wind into a tube connected to said helmet) and Bam Margera being shut in a truck with a cobra (it’s been milked of its venom but he doesn’t know that). Plus, the sequel pushes the already dog-eared envelope even further, with sketches that see Steve-O pushing a fish-hook through his cheek and swimming with mako and hammerhead sharks, Knoxville coming inches from death when a rocket launch goes wrong and a scene involving a horse that makes the bestiality in Clerks II seem like a Disney film by comparison.

Without doubt, Jackass Number Two is as funny or funnier than any comedy released this year and the wacky charisma of its stars remains undeniable. But this time around the process feels contrived, and that’s a real shame.

4 out of 5

Jackass Number Two
Australian release: 9th November, 2006
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Stephen Glover, Jason Acuna
Director: Jeff Tremaine
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