Review XIX - Clerks II

Review XIX
Clerks II (2006)

A long time ago (two months ago), I reviewed Clerks from Kevin Smith. After watching and reviewing the film, I really got into the mood of watching the sequel again. I couldn't find it anywhere (I had put it on a DVD) and couldn't be bothered to re-download it. There was a huge thunderstorm last night, and I lost my Internet connection for a little while. I decided to watch a movie instead of playing Minecraft. During my search, I found Gentlemen Broncos, but more important, Clerks II! Thus I sat down to watch the sequel for the second time.

Dante (Brian O'Halloran) heads out to open the Quick Stop only to find that the store is on fire. Randall (Jeff Anderson), it turns out, left the coffee pot on after closing up. The two end up getting employed at Mooby's, a fast food restaurant, only to be surrounded, once again, by some new, weird, and annoying customers. Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) are back, as well as some new friends including Dante's new fiancee, Emma (Jennifer Schwalbach Smith), Dante and Randall's boss, Becky (Rosario Dawson), and Elias (Trevor Fehrman), a very peculiar co-worker at Mooby's.

The first time I watched this film, I loved it. I loved it even more after watching it a second time because I got to re-hear jokes I found hilarious the first time, and appreciate them even more the second time. I also, cough, was also more informed about certain events that happen in the film since I last watched it, so it also added some more hilarity to the film. The acting is way better in this film than Clerks, and though the dialogue isn't necessarily as witty, it's still amazing, and I laughed a lot. I also liked the new characters that were added in, and I found I appreciated Jay and Silent Bob a lot more in this film. In Clerks, I found they were more of just a little side bit, but in this film, they were better incorporated with the main characters.

Overall I'd give the film an eight on ten, just as I did Clerks. I can't say which one I prefer because I felt both films were a bit different, but were both really good. While Clerks is more safe to watch around family and friends, I'm warning you that you should probably only watch this film with a close friend because it can be pretty graphic. Someone told me they watched it with their parents - by god, I feel for them.

Pirate Bay torrent

Review IV - Clerks

Review IV
Clerks (1994)

I watched Clerks many months ago, re-watched it again a week ago, and again last night. It's definitely become one of my favourite movies. It was directed and written by Kevin Smith, and it stars Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson as two best friends who work at a convenience store and a video store respectively.

Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) works at a convenience store - but not today. Today he has planned to sleep in and play a hockey game. Unfortunately, he's called in to replace someone who's sick. He agrees with the promise that the boss will be in at twelve. Things go downhill from there. Randall Graves (Jeff Anderson) is constantly pestering Dante instead of working at the video store like he should, customers are constantly bothering both of them, Dante's girlfriend is revealing maybe a bit too much information about her past, Dante's ex-girlfriend is getting married, and a bunch of other funny situations ensue, including Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) hanging out in front of the stores.

Unlike Jane Eyre, Clerks has fabulous writing but not the best acting. I would say the school plays I have been in have matched acting skills as most of the acting in this film. It really depends on the scene, but sometimes, dialogue is just delivered with such lack of emotion, and it obviously shows it was scripted. Still, I don't find it a major complaint because the dialogue that is written is really good. The scenes that come up are hilarious and original, and the "philosophical" (I can't think of a better word) views on people is really top notch. If you have to deal with people for your work on a daily basis, you can relate to this film. If you enjoy a bit of dark humour, you'll most probably like this film. I can't emphasize enough how well this film is written. Just go watch it! I also would like to warn you that this film is in black and white. I never had a problem with black and white films since I watch older films that were only ever shot in black and white, but some people have a problem with it. Trust me when I say you won't be begging for colour in this film. It's not like it emphasizes on colour ever, and honestly, don't make a black and white film stop you watching it. Many, many good films are in black and white, and this is one of them.

This is an extremely short review, but I honestly don't have much else to say about it. I'd give the film eight stars on ten. Like I said, the acting is really not that good, but the writing is superb, and the acting is not the worst either. If you're looking to be entertained, check it out. I've also watched both the version with the lost scene (funeral scene, for those who are wondering) and without it, and I prefer the one with the lost scene. It just adds an extra part of hilarity.

Pirate Bay torrent (with the lost scene!)