It goes without saying that Jackass: Number Two is completely critic-proof. There’s no plot, no acting, and absolutely no subtlety. Jackass: Number Two, just like 2002’s Jackass and the TV series of the same name, is all about pranks and stunts that are served up one after another to test your personal boundaries of comfort. No matter what anyone says about it, there will be people lining up to see it.
Johnny Knoxville leads Bam Margera, Steve-O and pals into such vignettes as “Anaconda Ball Pit”, “The Fart Mask”, “The Fish Hook” and “Medicine Ball Dodgeball.” Even if you use your imagination about what will take place during these sequences after hearing these titles, you’re still likely to be surprised at what these guys are willing to do to themselves and each other for a laugh. Unless you’re completely catatonic, there’ll be something they do that will get a reaction out of you — although you may want to keep a barf bag in close proximity. (I don’t recall ever seeing as many bodily fluids on display in one 90 minute movie as I saw in Jackass: Number Two.)
The fun of seeing a movie like Jackass: Number Two — as was the case for its predecessor, 2002’s Jackass — is not knowing what will happen next or to what extent the cast will go to get something funny (and usually painful) on film. Keeping that in mind, I won’t give any of the pranks and stunts away. I will say that some of the gags work better than others but if one misfires there’s another following it that will likely make you crack up in spite of yourself.
It’s pointless to argue that this is high-brow entertainment. It is, however, funny. Very funny. It’s gross, to be sure, but it’s supposed to be. With so many comedies trying and failing to be funny, it’s refreshing to see a movie that promises laughs and delivers them — nearly non-stop — for 90 minutes. I can’t think of anything wrong with that. Just keep that barf bag handy.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
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