There are some things in life that are an acquired taste. That, as the makers of Marmite would suggest, you either love or you hate. Whilst the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone is a noble one, there are some things that simply aren’t for everyone. For example, a fan of legendary thrash metal band Slayer would probably not enjoy going to a Justin Timberlake concert. Whilst there can be no denying that Justin is a talented performer, his skills would be wasted on someone who preferred heavy guitar riffs to nifty dance moves and R & B harmonies. The point I’m trying to make here is that there are some things that certain people are predetermined to like and others are destined to despise, and the latest offering from Johnny Knoxville and his band of lunatics, Jackass 3D, definitely fits into that category.
Like its two predecessors, Jackass 3D has no narrative or story, but is instead comprised of a series of pranks and skits that revolve around Knoxville and his team inflicting pain on themselves and each other for maximum comedy effect. Anyone who thought the creative well would have run dry after the last two films is wrong and the team return in a series of all new escapades that will have you squirming in your chair. From giant slapping hands, to fun with buffaloes, to exploding toilets, to midget fights, to bungee jumping porta-loos, to mini-bike stunts, to a pig eating an apple from the anus of a morbidly obese man, this film has it all. But even the most avid fans of the show will have to admit that the joke started to wear thin a few years back. The problem with shock humour is it doesn’t stay shocking for very long, so in an attempt to bring something new to the franchise you can now see all of these horrific images in glorious 3D.
Not being a fan of the current trend towards 3D it is much to my chagrin that I must admit that in the case of Jackass 3D it actually does work quite well. The recent spate of 3D films have used the technology as a gimmick to sell tickets rather than forward the narrative or add anything of value to the storytelling process, this is ultimately distracting and disappointing for the viewer. But since Jackass 3D has no narrative it can utilise 3D as pure attraction, adding a new element to the gross out appeal of the franchise. There is good comic value in dildos, vomit, and human excrement flying out of the screen, provided this is the kind of thing that you happen to find funny. At ninety minutes Jackass 3D does overstay its welcome somewhat, it's a formula that definitely works better in small doses. It’s unapologetically tacky, gimmicky, childish, and disgusting, but it is also hysterically funny in parts. It won’t be for everyone, but fans of the Jackass franchise will enjoy this film.
Review by Elliot Hyams
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