Post by PTAhole on Jan 22, 2007 5:41:41 GMT -5
Note: I am aware that there are already review threads for both of these films, but since this is a double review, Dan suggested I start a new thread. I wrote this review a while ago, and am just now posting it.
CLERKS. (1994) CLERKS II (2006)
Written and Directed by Kevin Smith
Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Trevor Fehrman, Rosario Dawson, and Jennifer Schwalbach
In the summer of 2003, my brother came home from his friend’s house with five VHS tapes: Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. This was my introduction to Kevin Smith’s films, and, while some are better than others, I grew quite fond of his work. However, none of the films hit me quite like Clerks.
Clerks, with all of its amateurish film technique, grainy picture quality, and somewhat strained acting, was unlike any other film I had seen before. The dialogue was hilarious and sharp, and hid any stiffness the first-time actors may have faced. This $27,000 black-and-white movie engrossed me like few could.
Clerks is the story of Dante, a Quick Stop convenience store clerk who is called in to work on his day off. He complains about this to everyone that would listen, most notably Randal, the cashier at RST Video next door. Dante attempts to reunite with his high school girlfriend, Caitlin, even though his present girlfriend, Veronica will do almost anything for him. Dante and Randal engage in many hilarious conversations and embark on a few strange outings from the store throughout the course of the film. The clerks also have to deal with the trouble-making, drug-dealing Jay and Silent Bob throughout the day. All of this spins into a brilliantly bittersweet conclusion.
I’ve seen Clerks many times since that initial viewing, and while it may be true that it gets a little less funny each time I watch it, the film itself gets a little bit better.
As you might imagine, I was somewhat apprehensive about the idea of a Clerks sequel. Besides the fact that the first film had become one of my favorite movies, I hadn’t been too fond of Smith’s last two movies, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Backand Jersey Girl. I was beginning to wonder if Smith had lost the touch that made his first three features so great (Dogma is a good film, but it has many flaws).
Clerks II picks up 12 years after the events of Clerks. The Quick Stop has burned down, and Dante and Randal now work at the fast food joint, Mooby’s. Dante is moving to Florida with his fiancée, Emma. Clerks IIfollows his last day on the job. Jay and Silent Bob have returned from rehab, still dealing, but no longer using. Dante finds out that he has impregnated Becky, his boss at Mooby’s, who he truly loves. All of these events weave an amazingly hilarious, touching and perfect ending.
While Clerks is a movie about Dante, Clerks II is really Randal’s story. Randal is dealing with his best friend moving away, and yearning for his old job at RST Video.
All of the actors are better, as is Smith as a director. The film looks great, and the direction is spot on for this kind of movie.
When I first saw Clerks II, I liked it, but nowhere close to the original. Upon reexamining the film, both of them are on about the same level. Clerks II avoids the overly self-referential humor of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and when a reference is made to the first film, it matters, and it creates some of the best moments in the movie.
Whether there will be a Clerks III remains to be seen, but if Smith were to make another one, I’d be up for it. However, if he decides to end it here, then it would be a perfect conclusion for his funniest, most endearing characters.
Clerks.- 10/10
Clerks II- 10/10
CLERKS. (1994) CLERKS II (2006)
Written and Directed by Kevin Smith
Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Trevor Fehrman, Rosario Dawson, and Jennifer Schwalbach
In the summer of 2003, my brother came home from his friend’s house with five VHS tapes: Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. This was my introduction to Kevin Smith’s films, and, while some are better than others, I grew quite fond of his work. However, none of the films hit me quite like Clerks.
Clerks, with all of its amateurish film technique, grainy picture quality, and somewhat strained acting, was unlike any other film I had seen before. The dialogue was hilarious and sharp, and hid any stiffness the first-time actors may have faced. This $27,000 black-and-white movie engrossed me like few could.
Clerks is the story of Dante, a Quick Stop convenience store clerk who is called in to work on his day off. He complains about this to everyone that would listen, most notably Randal, the cashier at RST Video next door. Dante attempts to reunite with his high school girlfriend, Caitlin, even though his present girlfriend, Veronica will do almost anything for him. Dante and Randal engage in many hilarious conversations and embark on a few strange outings from the store throughout the course of the film. The clerks also have to deal with the trouble-making, drug-dealing Jay and Silent Bob throughout the day. All of this spins into a brilliantly bittersweet conclusion.
I’ve seen Clerks many times since that initial viewing, and while it may be true that it gets a little less funny each time I watch it, the film itself gets a little bit better.
As you might imagine, I was somewhat apprehensive about the idea of a Clerks sequel. Besides the fact that the first film had become one of my favorite movies, I hadn’t been too fond of Smith’s last two movies, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Backand Jersey Girl. I was beginning to wonder if Smith had lost the touch that made his first three features so great (Dogma is a good film, but it has many flaws).
Clerks II picks up 12 years after the events of Clerks. The Quick Stop has burned down, and Dante and Randal now work at the fast food joint, Mooby’s. Dante is moving to Florida with his fiancée, Emma. Clerks IIfollows his last day on the job. Jay and Silent Bob have returned from rehab, still dealing, but no longer using. Dante finds out that he has impregnated Becky, his boss at Mooby’s, who he truly loves. All of these events weave an amazingly hilarious, touching and perfect ending.
While Clerks is a movie about Dante, Clerks II is really Randal’s story. Randal is dealing with his best friend moving away, and yearning for his old job at RST Video.
All of the actors are better, as is Smith as a director. The film looks great, and the direction is spot on for this kind of movie.
When I first saw Clerks II, I liked it, but nowhere close to the original. Upon reexamining the film, both of them are on about the same level. Clerks II avoids the overly self-referential humor of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and when a reference is made to the first film, it matters, and it creates some of the best moments in the movie.
Whether there will be a Clerks III remains to be seen, but if Smith were to make another one, I’d be up for it. However, if he decides to end it here, then it would be a perfect conclusion for his funniest, most endearing characters.
Clerks.- 10/10
Clerks II- 10/10
