Jackass: Best And Last Review: A Farewell To A Comedy Phenomenon

Introduction

Jackass: Best and Last is the return of the Jackass series twenty-five years after its original appearance on television. The movie is a celebration of all that was the Jackass series as well as a farewell to the same.

This will be the fifth and final film in the long-running Jackass series that has been entertaining, shocking, and repulsing audiences for many years. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

Not many television shows have been able to have such a long-lasting effect on people as Jackass. It started out as just another show on MTV in the year 2000. However, due to the daring nature of Johnny Knoxville and his friends, their antics have made a name for themselves in television history.

As the popularity of the TV series increased, there were feature films made for an even wider audience. Every episode continued to build on the previous one in terms of stunts, production value, and memorable sequences. No matter how much was added into the mix, the series has never lost its raw and wild spirit.

Jackass: Best and Last comes right in time for the 25th anniversary of the franchise, which gives the ending additional weight and importance. Instead of making another film full of crazy stunts, the directors decided to make something that would honor the long history of Jackass.

I have watched Jackass movies and the TV series before, and thus knew what to expect. I anticipated ridiculous humor, embarrassing stunts and situations that will make you laugh yet wonder why they ever agreed to do such crazy things. Well, they fulfilled my expectations but what amazed me is that there were parts where they actually reflect upon themselves.

From MTV Experiment to Worldwide Success

It is hard to believe that such a simple idea should be so successful. The initial TV show was based on quite a simple principle. A number of friends were competing by performing dangerous tricks, silly pranks and embarrassing dares on one another. There was hardly any plot whatsoever. What was left was just the characters’ personalities.

As the TV show became increasingly successful, feature films seemed the logical progression for the series. With the added budget, Jeff Tremaine and his team were able to pull off bigger and better stunts, whilst still keeping with the documentary approach which was so popular. Each film has added to the series without compromising on its essence.

Despite being around for twenty-five years, Jackass is unlike any other show out there. There have been many who have tried to recreate its format; however, very few have managed to capture the magic that exists between the cast members.

Directing That Stays True to Its Roots

It is worth mentioning that Jeff Tremaine has done a great deal in maintaining the spirit of Jackass. In the course of time, many popular series undergo changes in order to attract a new audience. However, Tremaine has chosen another strategy, as he knows exactly what makes people like the show and will not compromise its character.

Tremaine does not shoot a conventional comedy, but chooses to shoot in the manner of a documentary. The camera does not distract the viewer’s attention but follows the performers naturally, thus letting him or her live all their failures and successes and even suffer along with them.

It brings great authenticity to the show which is one of its biggest advantages. While all the stunts are well thought out, the reactions of the performers look authentic, full of fear, excitement and humor.

The structure of the film reflects the structure of the TV show. The film skips the regular structure of the story and consists of different stunts and sketches. It helps to make the film exciting and entertaining. At the same time, the viewer can appreciate each stunt separately. The viewer recognizes this typical structure immediately.

One of the most clever moves made by Tremaine is the use of the archive footage. In the film, there are different footage which was previously shot during the other productions, as well as the new one. They allow to pay attention to the history of the franchise without stopping the flow.

The old footage allows the viewer to compare what happened to the actors and the crew since their early MTV times.

Cinematography That Values Authenticity

The cinematography of Chris Darnell matches well with the style of the film Jackass. The film does not aim at making cinematic images but emphasizes realism and immediacy.

Handheld camera work is one of the key elements of the cinematography of Jackass. The use of movement adds to the excitement and creates a feeling of the documentary style. The scenes look very spontaneous and unpredictable.

Close-ups allow the viewer to observe all facial expressions. The audience sees the nervous expectation prior to each stunt. One can see the reaction in the form of laughter, pain, and disbelief right after each stunt. These reactions turn out to be the most hilarious parts of the film.

Also, natural lighting contributes to the overall authenticity of the cinematography. The movie does not require any special effects which do not distract from the actors themselves. This choice reflects the tradition of the franchise to maintain realism and not the opposite.

Moreover, archive footage shot by Dimitry Elyashkevich makes the cinematography even better. Of course, old footage cannot be compared with new in terms of the quality of the images. However, these contrasts serve as an effective element of the emotional background of the cinematography.

These contrasts remind the audience how many years passed and how consistent the franchise is. Although cameras became more advanced and production values improved, the spirit of the Jackass remained the same.

In general, the cinematography in the film does not try to draw attention from the actors to itself but rather serves all stunts.

Bigger Stunts and Bigger Risks

Since this movie is intended to be the sendoff, it is evident that Jackass: Best and Last was produced to include some memorable stunts. The filmmakers have increased the magnitude of many scenes, adding practical effects and ideas. It is obvious that the film producers had in mind memorable stunts in this movie.

Most of the stunts are successful in that they manage to mix creativity with surprise. Enjoying the actors’ reactions in situations that are not expected by them is always exciting in such movies. Laughter can actually be contagious in such cases.

Not all big is better. Stunts like the one in this movie depend more on shocking the viewer than making him laugh.

The introductory segment shows this approach clearly. The presence of a robot, peanut butter, and Steve-O creates some of the most awkward scenes in the movie. This definitely sets the stage for what is to come.

For me, personally, there were many parts in this segment that were hard to watch. I was glad I did not have any popcorn with me. It achieves exactly what it intended to, but not everybody will be amused by this intention.

This attitude represents the main problem that the Jackass movie franchise faces every time they make a movie. Humor, danger, and revulsion must be balanced at all times. There are instances where all three are perfectly balanced, but then again there are others where one element overpowers the other two.

Thankfully, there are also plenty of humorous scenes in the movie. Many stunts involve less gross-outs and more well-thought setups and reactions along with the chemistry between the actors. This is what reminds the viewers why Jackass was so successful.

References to classic scenes will definitely appeal to the long-time fans of the show. As a rule, the scenes don’t copy anything from the previous installments but rather refer to the history of the franchise and update the old ideas.

Jackass has always been famous for its boldness, and the same can be said about the last film. In case you want to see some outrageous scenes that will make you burst into laughter, hide behind your hands, or both at once, this movie is definitely worth your attention.

The movie is not embarrassed by its humor because, on the contrary, it is proud of it. The reputation of the franchise has already been earned and confirmed over the course of the past twenty-five years.

After the stunt scenes are over, only one thing becomes clear – the cast still wants to amuse the viewers in the same way they amused them during the TV show.

That commitment deserves admiration, even when every stunt does not completely succeed.

The Cast: Older, Wiser, but Still Willing

One of the biggest advantages about Jackass: Best and Last is its cast. The chemistry between them serves as the basis for any good stunt that they pull off. This chemistry is unmanufactured, which still sets Jackass apart from other shows.

Johnny Knoxville is still at the center of the movies. He sets an example through his actions, even though he bears the physical marks of his torturous life for the past twenty-five years. His energy is undiminished, even when the movie reminds viewers of the sacrifices that he has made.

Steve-O remains true to his character of being fearless. He is still all out on any action he performs, even if it means being uncomfortable. His stunts are very funny at times, but there are some that are hard to look at. The first stunt shown shows just how much he will sacrifice for entertainment.

Chris Pontius is still among the best naturally talented comedians in this franchise. He always adds much needed relief during the scenes which are too painful to watch. He almost never looks embarrassed even in the weirdest of situations. His confidence makes him a crowd favorite.

Wee Man brings the same energy that he was bringing to this franchise all along. His energy is genuine and not forced. Interacting with his co-stars, he creates funny and enjoyable situations for the viewer. His humor is personality-based and it generates many hilarious scenes in the movie.

Dave England and Danger Ehren continue playing their roles just like the fans expect from them. Both of them seem not interested in going for the safe choice and are ready to do everything to make people laugh. This shows the devotion they have for the franchise.

Preston Lacy is back with his self-deprecating comedy, which has been his signature style since day one. His ability to poke fun at himself is always appreciated. After all these years, Preston clearly knows why people find him entertaining.

Other members should be appreciated as well. Rachel Wolfson, Jasper Dolphin, Dark Shark, Poopies, and Zach Holmes never appear like fillers. On the contrary, they bring something new to the table and respect what has already been set up.

Instead of trying to overshadow the old actors, the new ones support them. It is surprising how well it all fits together.

Looking Back Through Archive Footage

Using archival footage turns out to be one of the best decisions made in this film. Far from being mere fan service, such material enhances the emotional effect of the goodbye.

Seeing the younger versions of the characters right before the contemporary shots provides a great contrast. Time passing by cannot be ignored anymore. People have aged, suffered plenty of injuries, and changed their appearance.

Their characters, however, have not changed much despite all those physical transformations. Johnny Knoxville is still as sure of himself as he was twenty-five years ago. Steve-O is still doing the impossible. Chris Pontius is still laughing about everything and still naked.

The use of such footage also serves to make people realize what has been achieved by the franchise. After all, the MTV show that began it all has now evolved into a worldwide entertainment hit. The fact that this has been accomplished cannot be overstated through these shots.

The movie doesn’t try to fool us into thinking that the cast is as young as it used to be. On the contrary, they embrace their age, which helps to add authenticity to the narrative, since we realize all that the performers went through.

Some scenes become more about the experience rather than youthfulness. Stunts do not require as much physical effort as creativity anymore. This comes quite naturally since there can be no person who can remain invincible.

Still, the performers seem equally determined to please their audience with some entertaining moments. Even though they can perform more slowly, they still do not hesitate to humiliate themselves.

What Worked

Perhaps the best thing about Jackass: The Movie: Best and Last is how honest it is. The film does not strive to be anything else but true to what people loved since the very beginning of the TV show.

Jeff Tremaine definitely deserves a lot of recognition for staying true to the genre. By shooting like a documentary, he manages to keep every stunt realistic enough for people to believe that those reactions are real and not acted.

Another strong point in the film are the guys themselves. Their friendship still looks absolutely real even after all those years passed by.

Archival footage not only gives more emotional resonance than anything in previous films, but it celebrates the legacy built up over the decades by everyone who worked on the franchise.

Some of the new stunts are creative and fun. While some are dangerous, others take advantage of clever ideas, which often prove to be most humorous since they catch even the performers off guard.

But beyond the action scenes, the pacing deserves credit. The film transitions smoothly from stunt to stunt without becoming boring or predictable.

Above all else, however, this is a great goodbye film that recognizes the franchise’s rich history and gives its supporters one last chance to revel in the people they have followed for the past twenty-five years.

What Did Not Work

Even with all the positive attributes that the movie has, it does have its fair share of weaknesses. Some of the stunts are dependent on shocking the audience. At some point, it becomes more uncomfortable than funny.

In my case, I found several scenes hard to watch. There were some scenes where I was not entertained by their gross nature but found myself squirming and turning away from the movie screen.

This is very evident in the opening scene of the robots. It was very funny, and one cannot forget about it; however, at the same time, it is immediately shocking to the audience. This might work well for the loyal followers, but it could be a turn off to the new viewers.

Throughout the movie franchise, there has been a balance of humor, danger, and disgustingness. Sometimes in this movie, the line has been crossed. Some scenes are just meant to shock and not entertain.

People who have sensitive stomachs need to exercise caution while watching the movie. There are some scenes that can be disgusting to the audience. For example, those with aversion to body fluids and practical effects might not enjoy this movie.

But these same complaints are also part of what makes Jackass who it is. This series has always tried to make fun for everyone, and this is no exception.

For those who have followed Jackass from the beginning, this will not be a problem at all. They know exactly what Jackass is all about. Those looking for an ordinary comedy movie will have trouble with it.

Final Verdict

This is why Jackass: Best and Last works; it knows precisely what its audience expects. There is no attempt to veer away from the outrageous humor that made the small MTV show grow to become a worldwide sensation. The film builds on that tradition while acknowledging twenty-five years of excellence.

The use of the archive footage lends an element of genuine emotion to the whole experience. It is surprising to see the cast members speak about their journey.

These performances still pack a punch regardless of the passage of time. It is evident that the actors truly enjoy working with one another, and this enjoyment is contagious. Friendship will always be the most powerful asset of the series.

Not all stunts were executed with equal success. In some cases, the focus on gross humor went a little too far for my taste. It became clear from the outset that popcorn was absolutely out of the question.

However, this movie lives up to all promises. The fans get their last package of wild stunts, hilarious reactions, and real laughs. The new viewers may have difficulties getting used to the movie, but the returning viewers will certainly like its loyalty to the initial formula.

So, was it worth revisiting? Definitely yes. Even if this movie is not the best in the series, it is definitely one of the most significant. This movie honors the friendship, madness, and great moments that helped turn Jackass into a legend.

In the wake of two-and-a-half decades’ worth of bone-breaking stunts, pain-inducing pranks, out-of-this-world stunts, and endless laughter, Jackass: Best and Last serves as a proper culmination. It will remind viewers why the Jackass series was so iconic and why even the greatest adventures must come to an end one day.

Those of you who have been along for the ride with Johnny Knoxville and friends throughout their MTV years will feel that this is the right send-off. It is laughable, sentimental, outrageous, embarrassing, and oddly touching. Most importantly, it is classic Jackass in its truest form.