'Jackass Forever' Review: A Side-Splitting Spectacle of Unstoppable Silliness
Johnny Knoxville’s long-awaited return to Jackass offers all the expected laughs and squirms, with a few shocking twists and surprises along the way.
To those who complain that the Jackass franchise is nothing but immature jokes and childish hijinx, ‘Jackass Forever’ is here to say… they’re absolutely right. In the best way possible. There isn’t a moment of the film that takes itself any more seriously than what it is; an insanely juvenile group of friends whose sole intentions are to prank and trick each other until they either give up or the law stops them. That’s what makes watching Jackass Forever such a unique and refreshing experience, and one that’s completely unlike anything else you’d find playing in theatres right now.
Anyone unfamiliar with the franchise will have their expectations established right from the film’s first scene, in which the crew immediately concludes their grand-scale cinematic opening with a flood of hilariously subversive and grotesque stunts which you’d only ever find in this very specific style of movie. It makes a very clear statement, and that statement is that Jackass is back - bigger and better than ever. From there, the film plays out in its signature style, with plenty of individual games and gags that get progressively more unhinged and unpredictable as time goes on. Many of these sequences pay homage to the classic jokes that we’ve come to know and love from the show, but there are also countless amounts of new and improved ideas that will have even the weakest of fans laughing out loud.
Beyond the original gang that everybody knows and loves, Jackass Forever also introduces plenty of new comedians and daredevils who are just as entertaining and equally fun to watch. They really hold their own against the original Jackasses, and there isn’t a single weak link in the entire group. If this is the direction that Knoxville and Tremaine plan on taking the franchise in the future, there’s no doubt that it’s in entirely capable hands. The film also includes several guest stars, including Eric Andre, Tyler the Creator and Machine Gun Kelly, all of whom bring a completely different energy to the stunts that allows each moment to feel fresh and new. Whether you’re just here to spend quality time with the original crew, or to laugh yourself sore with plenty of new and exciting stunts, Jackass Forever undoubtedly has something for everybody.
But it’s not just the antics and exploits that make this particular entry into the franchise stand out, because it also spends a lot of time honoring and paying homage to the history of the show and the friendships between everybody involved. In fact, it may just be the most wholesome and nostalgic movie out there that features multiple scenes of middle-aged men getting punched in unspeakable places. It’s a somewhat different direction to take the film in, but it absolutely pays off and adds a whole other layer of entertainment to what is already an extremely entertaining experience.
Still, Jackass Forever won’t be for everybody. It’s immature, it’s silly, and it’s irresponsible - but for those who have even a slight love for the original show and/or films, it absolutely lives up to expectations. In almost every way, it’s a huge step up. The stunts are bigger, the squirms are grizzlier, and the jokes are absolutely non-stop. If Jonny Knoxville giving himself a concussion for our entertainment isn’t enough to justify this movie’s unbelievable existence, then who knows what is? It isn’t the kind of grand cinematic experience that we’re used to seeing in theatres, but it isn’t trying to be. It’s just a group of friends having fun, and inviting the whole world to come along for the ride. And when the journey is this hilarious and hysterical, you’d be crazy not to accept that invite.