Film Reviews

Jackass The Movie

• Rating:
• Director: Jeff Tremaine
• Starring: Bam Margera
• Details: US / 87 minutes / (18).

Not really a movie, but an extended feature-length episode of the MTV series, Jackass: The Movie does precisely what it says on the tin - copious numbers of sketches, which star demented ringmaster Johnny Knoxville and his reckless - nay suicidal - pals undertaking a series of bizarre and frequently dangerous stunts. Thankfully, Jackass eschews any pretensions towards artistry by refusing to implement a half-hearted narrative (see The Jerky Boys Movie or even The Crocodile Hunter) and completely disregards anything which could be confused with character development. Rather the movie concentrates on putting the likes of Steve-O, Party Boy, Bam Margera and Ryan Dunn through the mill when it comes to these breathtakingly idiotic visual gags. Admittedly some of them don't work - those focusing on gross bodily functions leave a bad taste in the mouth (no pun intended), but most of the others are utterly hilarious. Personal favourites include the brain-dead Steve-O throwing himself off a trampoline into a roof fan, Ryan Dunn getting his "ass kicked by a girl" and the awesomely stupid 'Bungie Wedgie'. Of course, you may find Jackass idiotic, foolish and juvenile in the extreme. All of which it is, but this is also bloody funny and I laughed heartily and frequently.

Review by Garreth Murphy