Jackass 3D, like its predecessors, is a filthy, juvenile, ridiculous guilty pleasure sure to entertain fans of the franchise. Johnny Knoxville, Steve-o, Bam Margera, and the rest return with their signature brand of low brow hijinks so overtly brainless that starving zombies might look elsewhere. The only difference is the added dimension, utilizing the latest and greatest 3D technology for some of the oldest and silliest gags. Essentially, it’s the Avatar of excrement and nut shots.
The 3D, captured by a three man crew of sometimes vomiting cinematographers and directed by Jeff Tremaine, is used effectively in the choreographed, slow-motion bookends and sporadic gimmicks, but isn’t as consistent throughout as, say, the gratuitous male nudity.
As an MTV Films production, the editing adopts the cable channel’s brief attention span flitting from one prop-heavy bit to the next just as your gag reflex is kicking you in the throat. It also means a 3D introduction by another immature favorite from MTV’s rapidly growing stable of idiots, Beavis and Butt-head, who smack each other around like old times.
Ordinarily, laughing openly and uproariously at the misfortunes of others is frowned upon. But the Jackass crew makes it painfully obvious they are enduring these stunts voluntarily, allowing for unrestrained amusement at the sight of someone being punched in the face, mauled by an animal, or any other form of welcomed punishment. Some gags are even brutal enough that the Jackass lies there, writhing in agony, just long enough to provoke pangs of sympathy before they pop up for the camera, as triumphant and resilient as ever.
Crushed by a raging bull? Walk it off. Forced to run a gauntlet of stun guns and cattle prods? Get over it. Catapulted skyward in a poo-filled Port-a-potty? “Jump in the lake.” Each extreme or scatological antic is met with the groans and winces of the audience, often before the stunt begins.But even with all their vigor, the sequel can’t avoid the undeniable fact that the Jackasses are getting older and, as a result, they’ve lost some of their danger and guerrilla spontaneity in the process. What used to be a pack of friends filming themselves pulling pranks, terrorizing the unsuspecting, and attempting tricks 10 years ago now seems too… safe. Pre-designed bits are executed as planned for 50 or so onlookers at the ready, which are then, no doubt, scrutinized by lawyers and approved by focus groups. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be safety precautions, I just long for the good ol’ days when filming someone being punched in the junk didn’t require a series of meetings.
I’m also fully aware you made up your mind to see Jackass 3D weeks or months ago. Go with that instinct, because the sequel is exactly what you’re expecting
Jackass 3D, like its predecessors, is a filthy, juvenile, ridiculous guilty pleasure sure to entertain fans of the franchise. Johnny Knoxville, Steve-o, Bam Margera, and the rest return with their signature brand of low brow hijinks so overtly brainless that starving zombies might look elsewhere. The only difference is the added dimension, utilizing the latest and greatest 3D technology for some of the oldest and silliest gags. Essentially, it’s the Avatar of excrement and nut shots.
The 3D, captured by a three man crew of sometimes vomiting cinematographers and directed by Jeff Tremaine, is used effectively in the choreographed, slow-motion bookends and sporadic gimmicks, but isn’t as consistent throughout as, say, the gratuitous male nudity.
As an MTV Films production, the editing adopts the cable channel’s brief attention span flitting from one prop-heavy bit to the next just as your gag reflex is kicking you in the throat. It also means a 3D introduction by another immature favorite from MTV’s rapidly growing stable of idiots, Beavis and Butt-head, who smack each other around like old times.
Ordinarily, laughing openly and uproariously at the misfortunes of others is frowned upon. But the Jackass crew makes it painfully obvious they are enduring these stunts voluntarily, allowing for unrestrained amusement at the sight of someone being punched in the face, mauled by an animal, or any other form of welcomed punishment. Some gags are even brutal enough that the Jackass lies there, writhing in agony, just long enough to provoke pangs of sympathy before they pop up for the camera, as triumphant and resilient as ever.
Crushed by a raging bull? Walk it off. Forced to run a gauntlet of stun guns and cattle prods? Get over it. Catapulted skyward in a poo-filled Port-a-potty? “Jump in the lake.” Each extreme or scatological antic is met with the groans and winces of the audience, often before the stunt begins.But even with all their vigor, the sequel can’t avoid the undeniable fact that the Jackasses are getting older and, as a result, they’ve lost some of their danger and guerrilla spontaneity in the process. What used to be a pack of friends filming themselves pulling pranks, terrorizing the unsuspecting, and attempting tricks 10 years ago now seems too… safe. Pre-designed bits are executed as planned for 50 or so onlookers at the ready, which are then, no doubt, scrutinized by lawyers and approved by focus groups. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be safety precautions, I just long for the good ol’ days when filming someone being punched in the junk didn’t require a series of meetings.
I’m also fully aware you made up your mind to see Jackass 3D weeks or months ago. Go with that instinct, because the sequel is exactly what you’re expecting
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