DVD Review: Clerks 2

DVD Review: Clerks 2 (Kevin Smith, 2006, USA).

Kevin Smith. Slacker, filmmaker, responsible for a cult-cultural phonemena with Jay & Silent Bob. But after the fifth film in the "Askewniverse", Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Kevin Smith decided that he wanted to move on, grow up, leave the characters behind. What happened after is pretty darn infamous and can be summed up in two words... "Jersey Girl". Moving on... So Smith has gone back to where he started, "back to the well" how he puts it, to reopen the Askewniverse, one more time.
Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) are forced to move to a new job when their place of work burns down. Now after nearly a year of working there, Dante is finally doing what he said he wanted to do for years: Get out of the slump he has been in. This invloves relocating to Florida with pushy fiancee Emma (Jenifer Schwalbach). But on the last day before he moves, things change. Things involving his boss Becky (Rosario Dawson), Go-Karts, dancing and a "donkey-show"...
There are many faults with this movie, some of which are symptomatic of Smith's way of working. There is barely any flair to his direction, something which Smith recgonises himself, and the dialogue really does have to do the bulk of the work. Even when he does try something with the camera, mainly within the ill-concieved dance sequence, it doesn't quite come off. Smith is also really rather self-indulgent but as he says he makes films for himself not others. However, the casting of his wife is completely out-of-place and she is not convincing either in her perofmance or really, her looks to nail the role. Let's just say she makes Brian O'Halooran look good nd that is saying something. This guy just cannot act. His delivery is strictly amaeturish, his character would not entice Becky in real-life for a second and when next to Jeff Anderson and Trevor Fehrman, pales into almost-insignificance.
All this being true, I can also say that I did not laugh so hard in the cinema or at home nearly as much as I laughed at this film, in the year of 2006. Smith's writing is very much for a certain crowd but to that crowd it is priceless. the scene of Randall making a LOTR fan so angry that he throws up is just ball-shatteringly brilliant . The introduction of Elias is a very welcome one. Fehrman pulling off the role with a nicely polished portrayal of a very naive teen who becomes Randal's new target. Jay & Silent Bob are as brilliant as other, enough said, and the "donkey-show" is so straight up in it's offensiveness that it has to be applauded. Rosario Dawson brings a real sweetness to the role of Becky. She does feel like someone you could fall in love with and she almost manages to make her realtionship with Dante look plausible. Smith must also be congratulated for bringing heart to the relationship between Dante and Randal, making it feel like they do love each other, but without the creepy stalker-esque nature that Randal was left with with Clerks.
So... Smith does not seem like he can get out of New Jersey. If I am honest, I really do hope that this is it. If it wasn;t for the script, this wouldn't be worth the time of day. Smith now has a choice to make, carry on with the Askewniverse knowing that your films will never be broadly loved. Or try and break out without making "Jersey Girl 2". I wouldn't want to be in his postion I must say.

Video: Way too sharp, a really obviously sharp transfer which while free of grain, really does not make a passable one. Not good.

Audio: Suprisingly decent Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. While dialogue-heavy , we get some nice directional effects mainly involving people working in and out of the restaurant, but also some nice work during the "Donkey-Show". A pleasent suprise.

Extras:

Deleted Scenes - Pretty funny deleted scenes, as always with Smith DVDs, really worth a watch. The improv which Smith does not usually allow, m,akes for some very funny stuff.

Cast Commentary - One of three commentaries but the only one I have listened to just yet. Good stuff, very honest, frank and some funny stuff also, worth a listen.

Documentary - Hour and a hlaf long documentary, comprehensive stuff and again very honest. Interesting stuff involving the relationship between Jeff Anderson and Kevin Smith, which still seems fairly strained,. Maybe one for people who really know their Smith films, but as someone who does, I enjoyed it.

Funniest film of 2006 for myself but a very niche film. Great disc as well makes it a must-own for all people who enjoy the "Askewniverse".

Back tomorrow, probably with a review of "The Number 23".