She Likes DVDs

She Likes DVDs.com Review

Title: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

By: Kyra Kirkwood

Genre: Comedy

Video: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Audio: Dolby Digital Formats: English 5.1 Surround and French 2.0 Surround

Language: English

Subtitles: English and Spanish

Length: 104 minutes

Rating: R

Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Release Date: Feb. 26, 2002

Suggested Retail: $29.95

Cast: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Jeff Anderson, Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter, Will Ferrell

Director: Kevin Smith

Screenplay: Kevin Smith

Musical Score: P.J. Harvey

Producers: Bob and Harvey Weinstein

Review: I hadn’t heard of Kevin Smith before I saw "Dogma," another one of his films that he wrote, directed and starred in as Silent Bob. Now, I can’t get enough of his films. The main reason I love them–from "Clerks" to "Chasing Amy"–is because so many of the same people wind up in his movies. It’s like running into old friends, realizing they haven’t changed a bit and you’re so grateful for that.

Warped as it may seem, I feel comforted that Silent Bob doesn’t talk and Jay is constantly stoned and horny. The plot of "Jay and Silent Bob" isn’t going to win any Oscars, nor is it going to change the way we see the world. Nevertheless, just watching it, and catching all those "inside jokes" started in previous Smith movies, is what kept me rolling with laughter throughout the entire flick. Some reviewers found the jokes too inside (like how, as revealed on the DVD commentary, one of the View Askew anti-smoking staffers is an extra who buys cigarettes from a store clerk who starred in "Clerks." ) But it didn’t bother me–or the majority of others I know who enjoyed this film.

So let’s begin with the roundup, shall we? After starring in so many of Smith’s movies as side characters, Jay and Silent Bob finally get their own flick. This tale begins more or less at birth, as we discover that Jay and Silent Bob were deposited as babies in front of the convenience store. And they’ve been there ever since, until a restraining order makes them move into a comic store where they meet up with Banky Edwards, who based his "Bluntman and Chronic" comic on them. But wait! The plot of these books has been sold to Miramax, and a movie is in the works.

Well, this is unacceptable to Jay and Silent Bob, who hitchhike to the coast to stop this movie from being made. They land a ride from four animal-activist hotties who really want to exploit them in the theft of a monkey.

Finally in Hollywood, Jay and Silent Bob crash the set of the "Bluntman" movie, which is where Silent Bob finally gets to enjoy an amazingly articulate monologue.

More antics ensue as the dynamic duo try to stop their lives from being spilled onto the big screen. Is there love in the cards for Jay (finally)? Will Silent Bob become silent again? And what’s the deal with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon doing "Good Will Hunting 2?"

Extras: Ready for this one? "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" is a two-disc set, so you know even before you pop it into your DVD player, there are many goodies to behold. And Kevin Smith, along with the gang over at Disney, doesn’t disappoint.

Disc 1 has the movie and the screen-specific audio commentary (by Smith, producer Scott Mosier, and co-star Jason Mewes). The three point out plenty of inside jokes (as discussed previously) as well as some behind-the-scenes dirt and anecdotes. It’s a joy to hear Smith finally speak! His wit, combined with Mewes’ nuttiness (and eternal stoner attitude), is quite an auditory adventure. Also on this disc are a bunch of trailers for other Smith movies as well as Buena Vista stuff.

Enough of the vanilla pudding. Let’s move on to the cheesecake, shall we? On Disc 2, the action begins. The best parts are the intros with Mewes–who looks much better with facial hair–and Smith. They clue us into why we should care about these features, which, as Smith said, are there to milk out enough crap for a second disc.

• "Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash" has four short Smith films. The first is "Judd Nelson in Let's Go Back to the Station House." That short-short is nothing shy of hysterical. I won’t ruin it by explaining, but see this clip with a guy. Trust me.

The second is the set of improvisations that Jon Stewart and Will Ferrell did during their scene in the movie about the extremist group known as the "C.L.I.T." Ferrell is a master at improvisation with a straight face.

Third is Ben Affleck's scenes called "Ham Affleck," which are just OK. Nothing to write home about. In fact, Smith’s lead-in to this was funnier.

The last short, "The Genius of Will Ferrell," is once again a testament to Ferrell’s ability to comedically think on his feet.

• 42 deleted scenes with intros from Smith and guests. I, of course, love deleted scenes almost as much as I adore outtakes. But even I got a bit tired of these after the 30^th cutting-room-floor reject. Smith’s banter keeps it going for awhile, but soon, they all start to look alike.

• A 10-minute "Gag Reel." Classic is all I can say about it. Pure genius. But with Smith and this cast, what do you expect in terms of "gags?" Smith titled it "Why Movies Cost So Much." I could watch this for hours; I only wish there were 42 of these and just 10 minutes of the outtakes! Watch this first–from start to finish–and you’ll thank me. Classic gags: the one with Affleck and Matt Damon with their "apples" and Mewes’ perverted rap.

• Still galleries filled with photos, posters and comic book art of Bluntman and Chronic.

• Internet Trailers are included, along with six TV Spots.

• Two featurettes: a "Behind The Scenes" shorty and an MTV-like Comedy Central's Reel Comedy show.

• "Morris Day and The Time: Learning the Moves."

• "The Guide to Morris Day and The Time

• Two music videos: Afro-Man’s "Because I got High," and Stroke9’s "Kick Some Ass."

• Cast and crew filmographies.

Picture and Sound: Good anamorphic widescreen, with crisp and clean images detailed to the max. Great colors, too (as well they should be, since so much of this film revolves around brightly colored comic-book characters). It’s just like watching it on the big screen. As far as sound is concerned, the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is exceptional. The dialog is clear, the sound effects don’t explode from the speakers, and the music/soundtrack is amazing.

Final Comments: For Kevin Smith fans, this DVD is a must-own. For those who enjoy a good comedy, go out and buy this movie. For those who don’t like the "f***" word, or constant talk about sex and "snoochie boochie," then go rent "The Piano."

Five-Minute Review

• Movie: "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

• Picture: Great. Clear, crisp, nothing short of what you would expect.

• Sound: Dialog doesn’t get blanketed by special effects. Great mix of auditory details and dialog.

• Extras: A treasure chest full. Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes really make the second disc with their constant bantering and silliness.

• List of Extras:

-Screen-specific audio commentary with Smith, producer Scott Mosier, and Mewes;

- "Behind The Scenes," "Comedy Central's Reel Comedy," and "Morris Day and the Time: Learning the Moves" featurettes;

- "Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash" short films;

- Deleted scenes;

- Gag reel;

- Still galleries;

- Music videos;

- Filmographies;

- Theatrical trailers;

- Filmographies;

- "The Guide to Morris Day and The Time" production notes.