Movie Review: Clerks II
My turn! My turn!
Let me start by saying I haven't read any other the other Clerks II reviews so if I'm repeating shit, I'm terribly sorry. But judgeing from everyone else's LJ cut quotes, I think there is enough material in this film for each of us to have completely different things to say about the same subject matter. Which is only one of the many, many reasons I adore Mr. Kevin Smith.
I was a little late getting to theater to see this film...instead of catching it opening night, I had to wait until Sunday afternoon. Before you throw things at me, let me assure you that I had a good excuse: I was busy getting my ass to San Diego so I could see Kevin talk at ComicCon.
So let me disgress a bit into that experience (assuring that my Clerks II review takes on a bit of it's own special identity). My boyfriend and I were camped out expectantly in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center when the announcement was made that Mr. Smith was STUCK IN TRAFFIC. Why the hell he was driving his own ass from LA to San Diego the morning of ComicCon, I don't know. And actually, I wasn't in the hall at the time of the announcement, I was actually waiting in line to buy some nachos, which was my sole sustenance the entire afternoon (because I am HARDCORE). But the point is, he was fucking running late.
BUT all was not lost, for Ms. Rosario Dawson stepped it up a notch and came out to run the panel in his stead, after already participating in the Robert Rodriquez/Quintin Tarantino Grind House panel. And she made me love her. More. She even got Smith's ass on her cell phone and made him tell us why he was late.
We eventually got to see Mr. Smith when he ended up hanging out at ComicCon all afternoon to hold a panel at the end of the day since things were booked in the hall until 6:30 (he was supposed to have gone on at 1). And he had a Jason Mewes in tow.
Of course, not having seen the film yet, the screams of "ASS TO MOUTH!" were a bit confusing to me. And there was much talk of Donkey Shows. Growing up close to Tiajuana, I have actually heard of the existence of such things. But one fiesty ComicCon attendee insisted that they are, in fact, a myth and he adamently told Mr. Smith so. I am still not convinced either way.
I entered the theater on Sunday with high expectations, what with all the raving happy fans that had been gushing about how wonderful the film had been. I was aware of the fact that that was a room full of loyal Smith fans, especially having camped out all day to see him (as my boyfriend and I had), and though that should have changed my feelings just a little, I still had a good feeling.
And that good feeling continued throughout the film. I've really enjoyed watching Smith grow as an artist and this film is a fitting love-letter to Smith entering his thirties. I especially enjoyed Smith's merging of beloved characters from the View Askewniverse with new, fresh faces. Especially Elias. Every time that boy was on screen, I gigled with joy. The relationship between Randall and Elias was pitch-perfect. Two words: Pillow Pants. I don't know where Smith found Trevor Fehrman, but I want to see more of him. Preferably as Elias.
Sure, this movie was not Clerks, and that is going to piss some people off. And, on the other hand, people just coming into the Kevin Smith world may not "get" this film, having no emotional investment in the characters. But for those, like me, who have been watching expectantly as Kevin Smith has grown and developed as a filmmaker, this is a natural progression in a continually evolving career and I think it's something for Smith to be extremely proud to have on his resume. Can't wait to see what he has for us next.
4 out of 5
Let me start by saying I haven't read any other the other Clerks II reviews so if I'm repeating shit, I'm terribly sorry. But judgeing from everyone else's LJ cut quotes, I think there is enough material in this film for each of us to have completely different things to say about the same subject matter. Which is only one of the many, many reasons I adore Mr. Kevin Smith.
I was a little late getting to theater to see this film...instead of catching it opening night, I had to wait until Sunday afternoon. Before you throw things at me, let me assure you that I had a good excuse: I was busy getting my ass to San Diego so I could see Kevin talk at ComicCon.
So let me disgress a bit into that experience (assuring that my Clerks II review takes on a bit of it's own special identity). My boyfriend and I were camped out expectantly in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center when the announcement was made that Mr. Smith was STUCK IN TRAFFIC. Why the hell he was driving his own ass from LA to San Diego the morning of ComicCon, I don't know. And actually, I wasn't in the hall at the time of the announcement, I was actually waiting in line to buy some nachos, which was my sole sustenance the entire afternoon (because I am HARDCORE). But the point is, he was fucking running late.
BUT all was not lost, for Ms. Rosario Dawson stepped it up a notch and came out to run the panel in his stead, after already participating in the Robert Rodriquez/Quintin Tarantino Grind House panel. And she made me love her. More. She even got Smith's ass on her cell phone and made him tell us why he was late.
We eventually got to see Mr. Smith when he ended up hanging out at ComicCon all afternoon to hold a panel at the end of the day since things were booked in the hall until 6:30 (he was supposed to have gone on at 1). And he had a Jason Mewes in tow.
Of course, not having seen the film yet, the screams of "ASS TO MOUTH!" were a bit confusing to me. And there was much talk of Donkey Shows. Growing up close to Tiajuana, I have actually heard of the existence of such things. But one fiesty ComicCon attendee insisted that they are, in fact, a myth and he adamently told Mr. Smith so. I am still not convinced either way.
I entered the theater on Sunday with high expectations, what with all the raving happy fans that had been gushing about how wonderful the film had been. I was aware of the fact that that was a room full of loyal Smith fans, especially having camped out all day to see him (as my boyfriend and I had), and though that should have changed my feelings just a little, I still had a good feeling.
And that good feeling continued throughout the film. I've really enjoyed watching Smith grow as an artist and this film is a fitting love-letter to Smith entering his thirties. I especially enjoyed Smith's merging of beloved characters from the View Askewniverse with new, fresh faces. Especially Elias. Every time that boy was on screen, I gigled with joy. The relationship between Randall and Elias was pitch-perfect. Two words: Pillow Pants. I don't know where Smith found Trevor Fehrman, but I want to see more of him. Preferably as Elias.
Sure, this movie was not Clerks, and that is going to piss some people off. And, on the other hand, people just coming into the Kevin Smith world may not "get" this film, having no emotional investment in the characters. But for those, like me, who have been watching expectantly as Kevin Smith has grown and developed as a filmmaker, this is a natural progression in a continually evolving career and I think it's something for Smith to be extremely proud to have on his resume. Can't wait to see what he has for us next.
4 out of 5