Review of Clerks 2
Score: 90
Sub-Section: Comedy
Date: Jul 31, 2006
The Clerks are finally back. Kevin Smith has returned to the movie that made him famous, Clerks. Your favorite characters have returned: Dante, Randal, Jay, and Silent Bob. Clerks II doesn't disappoint and it is the most entertaining Kevin Smith vehicle since the original.
Clerks II finds Randal (Jeff Anderson) and Dante (Brian O'Halloran) in a predicament; the Qwik-Stop has burned down and they have to take jobs at a McDonalds-like fast food restaurant known as Mooby's. Dante is engaged and ready to move with his fiancé to Florida. The movie takes place over the last day of Dante's life in New Jersey.
This movie is classic Kevin Smith, which means that it is basically a thin plot filled with a ton of random dialogue. Many of the scenes feel like stand-up bits and don't really have anything to do with the story, but these are the best moments in the film. A particular scene involving Randal and co--worker Elias (Trevor Fuhrman) discussing Elias' reasons for abstinence is the funniest scene I've seen in any movie all year. I was having trouble catching a breath I was laughing so hard. Another scene about Randal attempting to "take back" a racial epithet for black people (he wants it to be race-neutral) is vintage Smith in that it is hilarious but also makes the viewer uncomfortable watching it in a theatre with a crowd of people.
Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Smith) have picked up and moved locations along with the clerks, taking up the wall at the restaurant. They are fresh out of rehab and have seemingly found God, though this doesn't deter them from their lucrative drug business. They are much funnier in small doses as seen in this film, versus when they held the main stage in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Watch for the scene when Jay imitates Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs, complete with the same song, "Goodbye, Horses", playing in the background.
The main additions to the movie are the aforementioned Elias and boss Becky (Rosario Dawson). They both fit perfectly into Kevin Smith's universe and Fehrman nearly steals the show with his great timing and facial expressions. Dawson brings some credible acting to the movie and makes one of the few throw-away scenes (a pointless dancing scene) sufferable with her enthusiasm and .um.bouncing.
Right up to the climax involving a going-away party that Randal is putting on for Dante, Clerks II tries its best to offend with drug references, racial slurs, and disturbing sexual acts. It will definitely offend many, but many more will laugh their ass off.
To visit the official website at Clerks2.com.