Clerks 2 (Kevin Smith; 2006)

[criterionmaster]

I have to write a review for my school newspaper, and it had to be a newer film and since most new films look like crap and Black Dahlia was gone, I picked Clerks II, which is stretching the meaning of new. I wrote it and want to know if there is anything I should change at all, it is due tomorrow and anything, good or bad would be great! Thanks



Clerks II (Kevin Smith; 2006)
Review by: Dan Kinem

Twelve years ago, with the original Clerks, Kevin Smith became famous and solidified himself as a God to all nerdy teenagers everywhere and as a favor to his fans he returns to his original characters with, Clerks 2. And probably makes his best film since the original.

The film follows Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) 10 years after the events in Clerks, the Quick Stop has burned down and they have been forced to work at a fast food restaurant, Mooby’s. Dante is now engaged to be married but he may be in love with his boss (Rosario Dawson). The film is packed with the humor any fan of Clerks has come to expect.

I swear these actors were born to say this dialogue; they have a way of saying it were it doesn’t sound fake or forced, it actually sounds real. There are conversations from everything to Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings to sexual positions in bed. Laughs come by the second; I found myself not even being able to catch my breath before the next joke.

Despite what it may sound like this is definitely Kevin Smith’s most mature film. The original Clerks didn’t have a single camera move in the whole film, where as this one you can clearly see Kevin Smith maturing as a director and as a writer. While the film is a comedy, it also has heart, which is why most comedies fail. You really care about these characters and by the end you may even shed a tear for them.

At the end of the day you will either love or hate Clerks 2; if you go in expecting something different than the original you will probably be disappointed. The film was made for the fans, and no one else. The one thing I can guarantee is, that this is more smart and well-written than any comedies coming out these days, and also more hilarious. After Smith’s Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back I was worried about this film but it was truly a great film and one of my favorite films so far this year.

Final Rating: 9/10

[kiddo]

I think this review suits a school newspaper very well. If you had been writing for some film buffs or something, the language may have been a bit too... hmm.. simple, maybe? But in a school paper as many people as possible should be able to read it. Therefore, this is a good review. The only thing you could "fix on" would be writing something more about the first film; Clerks.

[criterionmaster]

Thank you very much! It was harder to go into detail about certain scenes I liked because everything about it has to be "appropriate" so even mentioning the porch monkey scene of the donkey show scene would have gotten me kicked out of school. I will take your advice and write a little more about Clerks though.

Still would like to know what everyone else has to say.

[blackmoses]

I think you should change that 9 to a 10!

[PTAhole]

Very good review. You should write a little more about Clerks., though. Most people at your stupid school probably haven't seen it.

[captainofbeef]

You got to be the reviewer for The Rambler? Dammit, I should have talked to Mcgrath.

[criterionmaster]

Yeah, look forward to a Tideland review next time the newspaper comes out as well. I will write one for every newspaper.

[criterionmaster]

I recently re-watched this film, and while I can see some minor flaws in the film, they are so brilliantly covered up by comedy it doesn't matter. There is so much to love about the film, although Wanda Sykes is probably the most irritating person to walk the earth. I hate when woman act like her, the tough, loud-mouthed black woman who is "all dat!" It is so old, irritating, and just flat out tired. She isn't funny.

[PTAhole]

She's fine in the movie, though. The scene she's in is possibly the funniest in the whole movie. (not because of her)

[captainofbeef]

No, she isn't funny but her husband is absolutly hilarious.

[PTAhole]

Yeah, that "You can't taste racism" line was hilarious.

[slapshot63]

I just finally saw the movie yesterday and laughed my ass off. I actually prefer it to the superb original. I thought it was overall much funnier and had more heart. Hilarious film.

[criterionmaster]

Well, for me, I feel both films are very funny, but I have to look at what the original did for film. While Clerks 2 is far better made, the original changed film, if I may be so bold. I really don't think either is perfect, but for what it is, they are perfect just like cult films are for most people.

It is hard for me to decide, I lean more towards the sequel, but that is just because it was made right at my time, so it could parody everything I knew well, whereas the first film was made for the last generation and I just missed it. I still get everything, but it seems someone who would have seen it at the time would have liked it more.

Glad you liked it by the way. So many classic parts.