From a critical viewpoint, “Jackass Forever” is basically a bulletproof movie, especially for what many would consider a “dick and fart joke film.” However, that’s unnecessarily reductive of the “Jackass” franchise, which includes the TV series, spin-offs and films. It’s not just gross-out humor or a bunch of juvenile men giggling about their genitals while torturing themselves and each other. I mean, it is those things, but there’s also a certain magic to this world that star Johnny Knoxville, director Jeff Tremaine and producer Spike Jonze have cultivated over the past 20 years.
Watching “Jackass Forever” brings this unique flavoring into focus and underscores why so many of the knockoffs and YouTube wannabes are unable to capture the same spirit. There’s nothing meanspirited about these stunts or debacles; it’s simply a group of friends who encourage and celebrate each other to do the most knuckleheaded acts. While the group is a bit more weathered after so many years of injuries and trying to outdo themselves, so much so that they brought in some fresh blood to supplement their shenanigans, they still manage to have that youthful glee that is incredibly effective and especially infectious.
It’s impressive that, after 25 episodes of the main television series (to say nothing of spin-offs like “Wildboyz” and “Viva La Bam”) plus six movies (including “Bad Grandpa”), the crew still finds inspired and new stunts to tackle in clever ways to elicit shock and delight from the audience (and everyone else on set). There are sequences in “Jackass Forever” that are similar to previous endeavors, including a few that are direct callbacks to some infamous bits, but the film is comprised mostly of fresh gags that reveal devious minds concocting them and souls brave (or stupid) enough to take them on. And even when there are shades of repetition, the reactions of the cast and crew, working through the pain or howling with laughter, are what make each experience so fun.
“Jackass Forever” is also a curious film because it reveals how much time has passed with this group while highlighting the charms that have never changed through the years. Obviously, the passing of Ryan Dunn still weighs heavily on everyone, while Bam Margera isn’t in the movie at all due to his substance abuse and legal issues. Additionally, Knoxville is now a silver fox and Steve-O has been concussed far too many times to go as hard in those areas as before. It’s due to these limitations of the stars’ advanced years (Knoxville will be 51 in March) that a new crew has been brought in to supplement many of the sequences.
These additions include a new female member, Rachel Wolfson, and two Black performers, Davon “Jasper” Wilson and Eric Manaka. There’s also a seemingly impervious juggernaut in the form of Zach Holmes who puts his large body through all sorts of ringers and emerges every time laughing. These five younger bucks keep up with their older counterparts, though their personalities aren’t quite as obvious and indelible as their predecessors. In true “Jackass” fashion, the one with the stupidest name (Sean “Poopies” McInerney) ends up being the most engaging due to his blissful willingness to try anything.
As in the previous films, “Jackass Forever” also features some celebrity guests, like Eric André, Machine Gun Kelly, Tyler the Creator and multiple professional skaters and bikers. Most of them immediately gel with the group and what they’re trying to do, especially Tyler, who participates wholeheartedly in both receiving and administering pain. Just like with the new members of the crew, most of these guest stars grew up watching “Jackass,” and they shine brightest once they get over the wonderment of being next to the guys who informed their humor and personalities for so many years.
For two decades, the “Jackass” crew have dared to exploit themselves in ways that are deceptively simple and outlandishly absurd. While all the dick punches and animal attacks are hilarious and the biggest component to the comedy, there’s also a complete lack of ego and a total embrace of vulnerability that is more apparent than ever in “Jackass Forever.” Perhaps it’s to encourage the new members or to console the older ones into forcing their increasingly ragged bodies through each new stunt, but there’s a real sense of acknowledgment that the pain sucks. Though their frames show the wear and tear of 20 brutal years, their adventurous spirit and genuine camaraderie remain unbound. It’s an oddly sentimental feeling to recognize amidst scenes of people shitting themselves or getting bit on the face by snakes, but that’s the true source of charm that makes “Jackass” so special.
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason "Wee Man" Acuña, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Rachel Wolfson, Sean McInerney
Director: Jeff Tremaine
