Jackass Forever (2022)

​“Jackass Forever” stars Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren, and Preston Lacy. Released on February 4, 2022, the film has the Jackass crew committing another series of dangerous stunts and pranks.

The film was directed by Jeff Tremaine, who previously directed the previous “Jackass” installments and “The Dirt”. It is the fifth movie in the “Jackass” franchise created by Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, and Jeff Tremaine. We thought that they were through with trying to hurt themselves with death-defying stunts. Boy, were we wrong. This weekend brings us another sequel that reunites some old friends and offers more dangerous tricks up its sleeves. So you better get your stomachs and mentality ready for what they’re about to accomplish. For those who live under the rock, “Jackass” is a popular reality comedy series that features Johnny Knoxville and his crew performing reckless stunts and pranks on each other or the public. It ran for three seasons and spawned a media franchise consisting of spin-off shows and feature films. I don’t usually watch “Jackass” that much, but I can understand the appeal of people attempting to raise their hospital bills. It’s a risky and overly painful franchise that paid off well with its clever stunts and cast. Now, the Jackass team is looking to bring the idiocy back with a sequel 12 years in the making. Since I enjoyed a couple of “Jackass” films, including its spin-off “Bad Grandpa”, I couldn’t help but see if they could repeat their success for the fifth time. Was this reunion just as gross and dangerous as the good old days, or was it proof that the crew should’ve quit while they still have their limbs attached? Let’s find out.

Like the previous “Jackass” films, “Jackass Forever” doesn’t have an actual narrative to tell. It’s more of a series of dangerous and inhumane stunts performed by Johnny Knoxville and his crew. Of course, they get some help from some new members and celebrity guest stars, including Eric Andre, Tony Hawk, and Machine Gun Kelly. In other words, it’s an episode of “Jackass” that’s stretched out to meet the feature-length limitation. You’re probably wondering how the heck I’m supposed to review a film like this. Well, it’s simple, my friends. I just studied the movie based on the stunts and the humor. Beforehand, I was pretty surprised to see that “Jackass Forever” has been well-received by critics compared to its previous installments, which had mixed reviews. Considering that it has the same format as the last three main “Jackass” movies, this would’ve been another target that’ll share the same fate. But, it managed to exceed its expectations by being considered the best in the series, so I should extend my congrats to Knoxville and his crew for accomplishing that feat. After experiencing the cringy comical experience that was “Jackass Forever”, I would have to agree that this is the best film in the “Jackass” series. It delivered the usual schtick that’s been around for 22 years, yet it never showed any signs of staleness. Even though it had a couple of minor issues that may turn away those who are squeamish, the film is a genuine laugh-fest that serves as a fantastic revival of the iconic reality franchise. The film sees the original “Jackass” gang back together for the first time since “Jackass 3D”, except Ryan Dunn, who tragically died in a car crash in 2011. All you need to know is that it’ll feel like they never left. From Johnny Knoxville to Preston Lacy, the original cast made a superb effort to deliver fun, cringy humor and hurt each other with their insane pranks. Plus, its tribute to Ryan Dunn at the very end was a great touch. The movie also marks the first installment in the franchise to feature some new victims, including Sean “Poopies” McInerney, Zack Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson. Another “Jackass” star, Bam Margera, is also in the movie, but he only appeared in one scene and archival footage due to being fired from production last February. The new members had a lot of guts to perform these stunts, and their bravery paid off well on screen. The stunts themselves are unsurprisingly unsafe, painful, and ridiculously absurd, which is what I was expecting out of a “Jackass” movie. While some may not be as memorable as the rest, they still offer a satisfying balance between cringe, grossness, and humor. The film also has a few stunts involving their wieners, and I’m not talking about the ones you put into your hot dog buns. So be prepared to put on protection when these stunts show up. In my eyes, those wiener-related pranks can feel a bit overkill for some people, but they make up for it with the film’s humor. If I were to pick my favorite joke based on how hard I laugh, I would have to choose the “Silence of the Lambs” stunt in which Knoxville traps the other members in the dark. Some of the other sketches also had their share of laughs, such as the “Bad Grandpa” skit and the “Cup Test”, but the “Silence of the Lambs” one got me in tears because of the bait-and-switch maneuver and Knoxville’s tricks.

Overall, “Jackass Forever” offers more of the same as before. Same crew, same stupidity, same cringe. The result is a highly entertaining and hilariously gonzo installment that’ll impress many diehard fans of the franchise and a few newcomers who’re brave enough to witness the cast’s gross-out attitudes. Of course, it may not suit well for everybody due to a few gags involving their privates and its wild nature. But if you’re willing to stomach your way through its crudeness, you’ll probably find yourself having a good time with this one. In the end, it’s a “Jackass” film through and through, and to me, that’s all I wanted out of it. Nothing more, and nothing less. It’s worth checking out if you’re familiar with the franchise or wanted something to laugh at, and remember, don’t try any of these stunts at home.

B+