Clerks II

This was the much-longed-for sequel to Kevin Smith's independent masterpiece Clerks. Fans, and even Smith, had wanted a sequel for years, but it was always a long shot due in part because of Jason Mewes' drug problems and Jeff Anderson's hesitancy and at times outright refusal to do a sequel. After overcoming those obstacles, Smith came up with a script after the movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, got everyone on board, and this was the result. This movie starts out with Randal (Anderson) and Dante (Brian O'Halloran) still working in the Quick Stop and adjoining video store, until they end up burning down. Then they end up in a new dead-end job at Mooby's (a fictionalized version of McDonald's) where we have a Wizard of Oz-like transition from black-and-white to color. The plot basically involves Dante trying to figure out what he wants from his life and Randal facing the prospect of losing his best friend. The movie is centered around Anderson and O'Halloran but includes new cast members Jennifer Schwalbach (Smith's real-life wife), Trevor Fehrman, and Rosario Dawson (who has one of the best lines of the movie at the end). It also includes many of Smith's "regulars" such as Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, and Ethan Suplee. There are also hilarious cameos by Wanda Sykes and Kevin Weisman, the latter of whom sets off a great Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings rant by Randal. For those who get the Blu-Ray, there are a ton of extras included. There are three different commentary tracks, all of which include Smith, and then rotates through other participants including cast members (in the first and third) and the production staff in the second (which is more of a "technical" commentary). On the second disc, there is an hour-and-a-half-long making-of documentary, a half-hour long blooper reel, an hour-long series of video diaries, and a special on the movie that aired on VH1 (back before it played nothing but "reality" shows). So, if you like watching the bonus material, there is a lot there for you. Overall, the movie is very good, if you like Smith's brand of humor, which can be very raunchy. That is not to say the movie is always raunchy and cringe-worthy, but it does have its moments. It balances those well with Randal's smart-ass sarcastic comments, Dante's complaining, and the multiple pop-culture arguments. It even has some touching moments involving Dante and Randal's friendship and the changes that all relationships go through as friends get older. There are certainly some who think that a sequel to the original (which is a classic) should have never been made, and there are some that wanted a sequel but just did not think this was good enough to be that sequel. Personally, I liked the vast majority of the movie and thought it was a worthy successor to the first movie. That said, it is not a movie for everyone, especially people who do not like Smith's brand of humor and it is not family-friendly. But, if you liked the first movie, and you generally like Smith's other movies, it is worth watching at least once. Read more

This added to the goofiness of the first and just took it up a level. Another fun film. Read more

Clerks II was one of the best flicks I saw last year. Not one of the best comedies, or one of the best sequels (of which there were plenty). One of the best movies overall. I loved it. It's clear that Smith has given a lot of thought to where these characters should be, ten years or so removed from their original (very bad) day at the store. Randal is still wandering aimlessly through life, with a little more wisdom than he lets on but not much more ambition. Dante opens the film poised to run off to Florida (like T.S. Quint in Mallrats--apparently Florida is where the desperate go to escape Jersey) with a girl he doesn't really like that much because she's willing to marry him after shunning him in high school. While Dante and Randal are still the centerpieces of the film, performances by the supporting cast are much more important to the movement of the picture than they were to the first "Clerks" picture: Rosario Dawson and Trevor Fuhrman both fit their roles perfectly, and while I could have done with just a little less Elias, Fuhrman made him so funny that he's someone you can put up with, even if you don't necessarily like him. By the close of the film, the characters have found themselves just where they have to be. The ending Smith crafts for the picture (and potentially--or not-- the ending for these characters) is pitch-perfect, and rings so true you have to wonder how come it's never occurred to Smith before (it could as easily have been slipped in as one of the backdrop "resolution" scenes at the end of "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back" and nobody would have questioned it). Read more

There's not much to say really. I've spent hours and hours watching this movie, the extras, and the commentaries, so much so that at one point Kevin Smith advised me to "get a friend." It's absolutely hilarious and disgusting and brilliant. In the extras, Smith and his producer Mosier call it their favorite production by far. I can't say I disagree with them. I even showed it to my dad who had never seen the original and he loved it. This movie is a pretty big jump over the original Clerks when it comes to picture and I found the bright purples and yellows to really stand out in high definition. I can't compare it to the DVD as far as the transfer goes, but it was generally a good looking movie (especially the parts with Rosario Dawson). It's easily one of the better purchases I've made and on top of that, the extras are in HD, too. If you already own the DVD, I can't say an upgrade is really necessary, but if you don't already have this and you know you like the movie, buy this version. Read more

Kevin Smith has lost some of his appeal lately, as I think this was the last really good film he did. It shows a maturity and an actual progression to the story that put him on the map. Is it perfect? No, but it is pretty damn close. As usual, the extras are worth viewing and are highly entertaining, but the film itself is why you should buy this. You need to see the first one, however, to get the full impact of the sequel. (I know some people hate that the first Clerks was black and white, but you'll be fine if you watch it. Nothing bad will happen to you, trust me.) And if you are a Rosario Dawson fan ... well, be prepared because this will solidify everything you like about the actress. Read more

great was a gift Read more

My favorite movie ever Read more