"JAY & SILENT BOB" DVD: Chuggin' The Ass-Cock (reviewed by AX)

I was a junior in high school when director Kevin Smith's first movie "CLERKS" came out, and like shit-tons of other people, I loved it. But the thing I loved most about it was the character Jay, played by Jason Mewes. Never seen the guy before, but I just goddamn loved him. The funniest shit in the whole "CLERKS" movie all came from Jay's mouth. Smith went on to make bigger-budget movies, all linked to one another in some way, and all featuring the characters of Jay and his pal Silent Bob in their usual minor roles. Whenever the movie needed a good jolt of vulgar sex humor, or just a slew of filthy words, they always trotted out the duo. Although I love all Kevin Smith's movies from "CLERKS" on through, my favorite thing about each one was Jay & Silent Bob. When the news came he was making his final film in this "series", I considered it a gift when I heard that it would be centered around my favorite characters in his little universe.

That having been said, "JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK" is not only the funniest movie Smith has ever made, but it's also flat-out one of the most hilarious films in history. The jokes are non-stop, and they are all funny. I remember sitting in the theater just crying, laughing like hell. There's no message to this movie, no statement about love, religion, sex, or humanity. It's just cuss word after fart joke after pussy reference over and over for close to 2 hours. And I say again: ALL OF IT IS FUCKING HILARIOUS. I'm not gonna go on and on about that, let's just say I adore the movie like all bloody goddamn hell. Love it.

As if being so great of a film wasn't enough, "JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK" also happens to be one of the greatest DVD sets ever released. Spread out over 2 discs, you're hitting the fucking jackpot purchasing this baby. It has everything. Fans of the film (like me) would kill an elderly woman and step over a pool of her blood to get this DVD. It has everything you could want. Let's start with disc #1.

The movie itself, widescreen, beautiful picture & sound. Kick ass. We get a feature length commentary from Smith, producer Scott Mosier, and star Jason Mewes. It's probably the least funny of all the Smith film commentaries (the usually hilarious Mewes disappears halfway through and comes back saying virtually nothing), but it's full of great information about the making of the picture. Plus, there's no "dead spots" like in other commentaries (where the people either run out of shit to say, or get caught up in watching the film). I enjoyed hearing about how the film initially got an NC-17 rating due to all the dirty dialogue, and had to be re-cut 3 times before they got an R. R-rated comedies are the best shit ever invented, by the way.

Disc #2 has ALL THE GOOD SHIT you could ever ask for. It has a great making-of feature (which isn't all bland and manufactured-feeling, lots of genuine on-set stuff & interviews), the comedy central special about the movie, and an informative bio about Morris Day & The Time (the 80s funk band that appear at the end of the film), and a hilarious "gag reel" full of outtakes from the movie. But the real treat here, the reason to buy the DVD right goddamn now...the deleted scenes. This has more deleted shit than any disc I own, approximately 40 scenes in all. It took me 2 days to watch it all!!! Each scene gets its own intro by Smith, Mosier, and Mewes, and unlike some DVDs that have deleted scenes, THESE SCENES ARE ACTUALLY FUNNY. In fact, the majority of the stuff included here are bits that the ratings board said were too dirty. Subplots and running gags galore, plus more improv from guys like Will Ferrell that are funnier than shit.

The deleted scene where Jay talks to the hookers is the fucking funniest thing in the whole movie. If they'd been able to leave it in the final cut, people would have been rolling out of their seats in laughter. Jesus god, that shit is funny. You'll see.

You'll see because you will run out and get this fucker NOW. It's on sale right now for $17.99, and I would have paid $27 for it if I had to. It's so worth it. I give "JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK" a 6 out of 5 it is so goddamn great. I'm gonna miss those guys.

(2.28.02)