Jackass 3D

Jackass 3D has intentionally done something I did not expect it to do. It purposely tugs at your heart if you have been watching the show since it's original inception in 2000. Seeing these guys at their age now and how well their chemistry is evoked on the screen makes you long for the early 2000's so this crew can always be around.

The purpose to see this film is to be grossed out of your mind right? Well rest assured you will laugh hard and be extremely grossed out. The film flows with a great pace just as the predecessors did.

As I said before, if you are a huge fan of the show, like I am, the closing credits of the film unexpectedly tugs at your emotions. It really is nostalgic to see this cast at their current age. Though they are all still in good physical shape, you can't help but wonder how much longer their bodies can handle the abuse.

Heres to more good times.

How does one review "Jackass 3D"? The tertiary installment in MTV's prank and stunt franchise is basically immune to criticism because you get exactly what you pay for. Love it or hate it, "Jackass 3D" accomplishes just about everything it sets out to; in effect, Johnny Knoxville scores a goal on an empty net.

I am the anomaly, but I'd wager next to no one is 'on the fence' about whether or not they should see this film. They either contributed to the massive $50 million opening weekend box office cume, or they immediately dismissed it. In my case, however, having never seen the "Jackass" films wasn't a conscious snub. Believe it or not, there just always seemed to be something better to watch.

But mine's not a high horse. I sought out and watched "Jackass" and "Jackass: Number Two" the week prior to my first theater experience with the series, and I'm glad I did. After all, I grew up on "America's Funniest Home Videos" and throughout high school religiously followed the English hidden camera show "Trigger Happy TV." "Jackass" is not as clever as the latter, but by measure of unbridled chutzpah, Knoxville and Co. are the reigning kings.

Like a Victorian freak show or museum of oddities, the often self-destructive experiments of the "Jackass" crew are the guilty pleasures of our generation. There's something almost gladiatorial about watching the elaborate dangers these brave idiots subject themselves to. Man vs. bull, man vs. mule, man vs. man—our fascination with competition, spectacle, and injury is nothing new.

"Jackass 3D" being my first chance to observe others' response to these shenanigans, I was most amazed by the two-pronged reaction the audience had to the physical trauma the performers sustained. A given stunt would be executed, typically resulting in its participant doubling over in pain. The crowd laughed, as they'd been cued to. The film would then play back the moment in slow motion and suddenly everyone would groan or sharply inhale. Though we paid to laugh at people injuring themselves, what's more interesting is our ability to empathize with the depiction of human pain. That the "Jackass" films achieve both is not an insignificant feat.

This isn't the definitive "Jackass" experience, however. Having watched all three films in the span of a single week, I did discern a distinct arc that left me somewhat letdown with Knoxville's most recent effort. "Jackass: Number Two" improved upon the original with a more polished, professional look, and more elaborate and inventive stunts. It gave the genuine impression that the crew was pushing its boundaries and trumping itself wherever possible. That same sense of pioneering is largely missing from "Jackass 3D." The glasses- gimmick seems to supplant genuine innovation in their routine, and on the whole it feels slapdash in comparison to the conceptual genius of its prequel.

But what survives in "Jackass 3D," and what ultimately endeared me to the franchise is its creativity. Where it won me over was not in the painful payoff of each trick, but rather in the setup. The use of the camera to disorient, spotlight, and surprise is what really makes the series sing, and the trilogy is full of epiphanic moments of hilarity. "Jackass" has and always will be a potpourri of comedic elements, not all of which directly appeal to my specific sensibilities, but the variety is essential and the whole is somehow more than the sum of its parts.

I only wish "Jackass 3D" had more of the entrepreneurial spirit that so distinguished the second film. It may not be ambitious, but hey, a goal made on an empty net still counts.

I really liked the last Jackass movie, because there was an intelligence at work there, beyond just a desire to be shocking and gross (though "shocking" and "gross" is being too mild). And this was just a lot more of the same.

The film is not for the squeamish, especially due to the delight taken in excrement. Excrement here is treated like confetti on New Years Eve. I don't want to get into details, because much of my enjoyment of this film is due to the shock factor. There were a few scenes that I was just too scared to watch.

I won't get into trying to describe or give a list of what's shown here. Let me just say that if Thomas Edison had ever thought his invention would show something like THIS, he'd have destroyed his camera and killed himself. But for about 80% of this film, I was howling with laughter, though terribly embarrassed I was carrying on like that.

The only thing I can say specific to a scene in this movie is that the Midget Bar Fight has got to be, no doubt about it, the most hilarious "Candid" scene I've ever watched.

I had major qualms about going to see a film so crude, gross, violent, and obviously marketed to an audience about 40 years younger. I saw it. I loved it. I'm so embarrassed. And I saw it in 2-D. Which was at least one D more than I needed. The idea of watching some of these scenes in 3-D . . .

First of all, if you don't know about Jackass, you need to be prepared for a movie with no point at all. Jackass is the third movie installment based on the popular MTV series with the same name that ran from 2000 to 2002. The cast includes Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius, Steve-O, Ryan Dunn, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuña, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Ehren McGhehey. Therefore, even though the show was only on TV for three seasons summing to 25 episodes, the antics did not end there. In 2002, Jackass: The Movie was released, followed by Jackass: Number Two in 2006 along with numerous TV shows created by different cast members including Viva La Bam, Dr. Steve-O, Wildboyz, and Homewrecker. Four years after their last meeting in their second film these crazy men are back together in the latest Jackass movie in 3D! The film follows these characters as they beat the living hell out of each other while performing a series of hilarious, disgusting, disturbing and dangerous pranks.

This is the first film that has used 3D in a way that makes the film worth seeing in 3D. The implementation of 3D adds to the party and along with another dimension to the film. It allows all of the pranks to be bigger, better, funnier and more entertaining by immersing the audience into the world of Jackass. The opening and closing scenes of the film abuse the use of 3D especially well through slow motion effects and exceptional cinematography (yes I did just say that). The stunts in the film are at a whole new level that the TV series or the previous films have not been able to capture. The stunts are so crazy and ridiculous in the film that they will leave the entire audience wondering; How are they all still alive? While no sane human being would be attempting these stunts in the first place leading to the fact that all of the actors mentioned earlier and especially Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Wee-man and Steve-O are all one of a kind maniacs that prove that they are four of the craziest and most entertaining men in the world (or are they just stupid?).

There is no plot at all to this film and contains a specific type of humor that isn't for everyone. There are a lot of sexually oriented pranks in some shape or form. The film targets a very small audience that includes males ages 18 to 35 and even in this demographic the movie isn't for everyone. The film is extremely disgusting to the point where multiple scenes are unwatchable to the extent of gagging. Nothing is off limits in the film and therefore there is no limit to how gross the film gets and no limit on how long the scenes last. The disgusting aspect of the film ranges from scenes with male nudity to other scenes with different forms of bodily waste. Jackass has always been this way and when it comes to male nudity there is significantly less nudity in this film than in Jackass: Number Two, which was more of a male nudity fest. Just be prepared for what you are getting yourself into before seeing this film.

The Jackass TV series and Jackass 3D in general takes an acquired taste and the right mood to enjoy. I cannot recommend this film because you already know if you want to see it or not. Therefore, I recommend that if you want to see it on the big screen in 3D see it now, otherwise, don't see it if you think its going

I believe I enjoyed the classic, MTV series' made movie Jackass 3D a bit too much if that's possible. This is the third installment in the Jackass franchise, and while not the best, it has certain stunts that really put a smile on your face and ones that make the film itself memorable in it's own special way. It's been eight years since the first film went to theaters and ten since the series got it's start on MTV. Jackass 3D celebrates the occasion by having all the same characters back and doing the crazy, no limit stunts they're famous for.

Who needs plot? Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuña, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Eheren McGhehey perform hurtful, injury filled, and pointless stunts for our enjoyment. I know how much people have looked forward to this film and I won't ruin any stunts, or so which ones I favor. But I will say, this one is male nudity filled and laugh infested.

I will say the opening sequence to this film was probably the weakest yet in Jackass films. The first movie, they ride down a bridge in a giant shopping cart; I call that my favorite opening. In Number Two, they are being chased by bulls on a suburban street; pretty funny and amusing. A worthy opening. This one I won't spoil, but nothing special happens. Some of the people I've talked to enjoyed it, but I didn't really. It had it's perks and different levels of amusement, but overall, it's just average. Though the fun filled ending scene makes up for the bland intro.

It seems too they gave characters who didn't have a name more stunts to perform. I swear I've seen Preston, Dave, and Eheren more than I have ever seen in a Jackass film or TV show. They were there once in a while, but they do various stunts in the film; most notably Eheren who's name is now "Danger Eheren". We also see Dreamseller author Brandon Novak get hit a few times which I enjoyed. Him and Joe Frantz are both underrated and I think seeing Novak in the film will get him some support.

I will say that the gang may be forty, but they perform stunts like they're in High School. No matter which way you look at it, when Jackass came on it was an iconic series, nothing like that had really been done before. Guys doing stunts and getting injured for audience amusement? "Gnarley dude!" Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O have stood out to me has Jackass' best. Though the whole cast never ceases to impress, they've stood out has the true jackasses. Once I head Johnny Knoxville say "Hi. I'm Johnny Knoxville an' welcome to Jackass!" I knew oh yeah, I was back.

The last thing I want to touch on is the 3D and keep in mind the star rating isn't effected by the 3D's performance. The 3D is nice for a few scenes, but overall, if rated, it would get a two and a half. It's nice in some scenes, but it's not as in depth as it should be. I know it's live action, so it's without a doubt harder to do than most animation, but Avatar's three dimensional performance was great even in live action, while not being a mind blowing film. The most awkward thing about 3D is when it comes to DVD or TV in 2D, it'll look odd having many things bouncing out at the screen since it was clearly shot for 3D purposes. All movies have an odd 2D transfer if shrunk down to 3D.

Jackass 3D may not have surpassed the classic series, but it did impress a bit more than the second film did in that matter. The film has memorable stunts and little quirky things that make the film special in it's own way. To reflect on Roger Ebert's Jackass: The Movie review it's like we are watching a series of outtakes, not a real movie. Jackass 3D is 94 minutes but it goes by ridiculously fast even in RealD 3D. Nothing left to say, but "stupid is as stupid does".

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuña, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Eheren McGhehey, Spike Jonze, Jeff Tremaine, and Brandon Novak. Directed by: Jeff Tremaine.