Clerks 2 Review

When I stepped up and asked for a ticket to see this film, I believed that since this was a sequel, it was going to be difficult to give the original the credit that it fully deserves. How wrong was I, the humour is indisputably fulsome but very funny, in fact a statement by Kevin Smith in ‘The Guardian’ website interview could say it all in a nutshell ‘it was back to basics: bestiality, vomiting and really bad language’

The Film

After working at the same convenience store for over a decade, Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) are struck with disaster and find themselves having to locate to new ‘minimum wage’ jobs. With no real ambition in life their only option is to join the ‘Moobys’, a fast food restaurant with a typical abusive, geeky and inpatient clientele (similar to their last job).

Here you have Becky (Rosario Dawson), the boss, a ‘down to earth’ kind of girl who sees this job as nothing more than what it actually is. There is ‘Elias’ an uncorrupted Christian geek with some very naïve and unusual views on sex. Then there’s the return of ‘Jay and Silent Bob’ who always apply an aspect of glamour in a recalcitrant and comical way.

I found this film to be less loquacious than the first Clerks: maybe this was to do with the huge difference between the environments of a convenience store and a burger bar, which meant not having to oblige the viewers in extra, unneeded dialogue. Clerks 2 does a very good job as a sequel to live up to its predecessor - the characterisation was perfect, misunderstandings within the story were a little obvious but incredibly funny all the same. Bad language is used productively and eloquently, as well as bestiality references (but as far as this film is concerned ‘inter-species erotica’).

Certain scenes to look out for are the ‘Lord of the Rings/Star Wars trilogy argument’ and ‘the pickle f***er’ both of which will leave you either completely disgusted or laughing your backside off. Despite the humorous side, there is also emotional side to the proceedings - those familiar with the original Clerks will know of the relationship between Dante and Randal, and this becomes more apparent and of no surprise to the viewer within the final moments of the film.

All in all it is a film that is primarily for those not easily offended because it can be very direct and up front about certain issues. Easily one of Kevin Smith’s best. My advice is to not waste anymore time reading reviews - go and see it! Who knows - you might even find it educational. Enjoy!

Ponyboy Cinematic Review of the Month - credit to Marc Blakey