Clerks II
By Cory Peynado, Blockbuster.co.uk
“Since God created man, and man created the Transformers, the Transformers are like a gift from God”
Kevin Smith returns to his roots and re-introduces some of the funniest and most memorable characters that we have seen on our screens to date. The original ‘Clerks’ was the ultra-low budget, but highly successful movie that made a huge wave in the independent film world.
Introduced to the viewing public around twelve years ago, the first ‘Clerks’ managed to turn enough heads to put Kevin Smith well and truly on the map; now Smith goes back to raise a glass to his audience, with the equally brilliant ‘Clerks 2’.
Dante (
Brian O'Halloran) and his obnoxious friend Randal (
Jeff Anderson) are back in full swing with the same argumentative style as before. The first great thing about this film is that you don’t really need to have seen the first installment; this is a film of its own. Since we last caught up with our characters; Dante is certain that he has found the love of his life in his new girlfriend and is about to leave his old life in New Jersey; leaving Randal behind for good. In the eleventh hour however, things start to go hey-wire when Dante starts to have second thoughts, while Randal plans the going-away party of a lifetime which, rather uncomfortably involves a Donkey and an…‘actor’.
Having lost the Quick Stop store to a fire, the two friends are now working at Mooby's, your every day run-of-the-mill fast food restaurant that appears in many of Kevin Smith’s movies (Dogma). Despite the fact that this place is just as dead as the Quick Stop, Randal still can’t help abusing every customer that walks in, from ‘Ring Freaks’ (fans of Lord of the Rings), right through to former classmates (
Jason Lee).
Dante and Randal are joined by the new and reformed Jay and Silent Bob, recently released from rehab, who in addition to dealing drugs, have also discovered religion. The two of them provide some of the biggest laughs of the movie; hanging around outside, dancing, smoking, dealing…and generally contemplating life. Needless to say, Jay does most of the talking.
As his shift draws to a close, and Dante prepares to leave for Florida; Dante realises that he has strong feelings for his boss, Becky (
Rosario Dawson), who can’t seem to hide the fact that she feels the same way. Dante is at a cross roads, not sure what path to take. He also has to prevent his moronic best friend from simultaneously wrecking everything else he holds dear in his life – including his sanity.
A touching, laughter-filled two hours with even a few famous faces popping by restaurant to get their serving of fresh insults for each day.
The Verdict:
The pace moves along at just the right speed, constantly churning out great comedy all the way through. Kevin knew he had to come back and please his fans again so thank God that it’s not just another half-witted attempt to drain some more money out of an established classic. If anything this sequel surpasses its predecessor; it’s braver, grosser and allows us to catch up with two of our all time favorite Kevin Smith characters. Add to your list now.