JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK
Theatrical release: August 24, 2001

Starring: Jason Mewes
Actors: Kevin Smith Joey Lauren Adams Ben Affleck 
Writer and Director: Kevin Smith 
Rated: R (MPAA) for nonstop strong language, pervasive crude and sexual humor, and for drug content, and some violence
Run Length: 104 min

DVD Review By John Barker:
- Who said they don't make em like they used to?

This is the first solo adventure for the comic duo of Jay and Silent Bob who have become a fixture in the films of indie auteur Kevin Smith and while this is not his best film it is still funny.

The film sees serial marijuana smokers Jay, (Jason Mewes), and Silent Bob, (Kevin Smith), take on Hollywood, well specifically Miramax studio’s who are making a Bluntman & Chronic comic book adaptation inspired by the dubious duo. The film takes on road movie format encountering jewel thieves and even an orang-utan on their way to L.A in a quest to receive the recognition they deserve.

The characters make a reasonable transition to their own feature but unfortunately the script isn’t really strong enough outside some quick witted one-liners and obvious indulgence of the powers of mainstream Hollywood filmmaking, (Shannon Elizabeth’s unnecessary role).

It seems as though Kevin Smith’s talent as a comedic creator has been dulled by the pressures of a bigger budget and more room for excess as this film seems to be more a sequel to Road Trip than the usual brand of original hilarity that this director produces such as Mallrats and Dogma.

All the usual in-jokes are there with our two main characters visiting some of the individuals who have appeared in the directors past films and Matt Damon and Ben Afflect wonderfully lampoon themselves in the sequel to Good Will Hunting. Furthermore there are special appearances from director Gus Van Sant and Mark Hamill.

Hopefully Kevin Smith will return to form with his next film and try maybe to stray away from his slightly immature habit of Star Wars pastiches and basing characters whole psychologies on the film world. I m sure that some critics would suggest that this is part of Smith’s auteur profile but I would say that if he wants to be considered as a true artist he needs to return to his indie roots.

The film is presented on a double disc DVD and it is wonderful value for money actually improving my view of the film. There is a commentary from Smith and Mewes, which is funny and along with a huge amount of deleted scenes this would be enough to keep any fan amused. But you also get behind-the-scenes, music videos, gag reels, DVD-rom features and a whole host more.

On the whole this is an average film but will amuse students and teenagers alike but it is the DVD’s features that really stand it apart.