Review of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) by Johnny T — 24 Mar 2011

Kevin Smith had originally planned for this to be the last film set in the View Askewinverse. It was to have gone out with a bang, his biggest budget to date, and giving the titular stoners who have supported his previous 4 films the lead parts.

It wasn't the last time we'd see them, but the film is very funny. It has Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith), learning that there's a film being made of Bluntman and Chronic, originally created by Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) and Banky Edwards (Jason Lee) and based on Jay and Silent Bob's likenesses, which Miramax are making into a film.

However, Jay and Silent Bob weren't aware of this, nor have they received any money, so they travel from New Jersey to Hollywood to stop the movie being made. On the way, they team up with an animal liberation group, Justice (Shannon Elizabeth), Sissy (Eliza Dushku), Missy (Jennifer Schwalbach) and Chrissy (Ali Larter).

But, the girls are real jewel thieves, and Jay and Silent Bob end up on the run across America with an orangutan, and Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly (Will Ferrell) in pursuit. Kevin Smith calls this "The Muppet Movie on acid", and he's right.

It's very silly, very rude and at times, quite self-indulgent, (especially when Smith's previous films get mentioned), but it's a good piece of entertainment, also featuring Matt Damon, George Carlin, Jason Biggs, James Van Der Beek, Chris Rock, Carrie Fisher, Jon Stewart, Seann William Scott, Wes Craven, Gus Van Sant, Alanis Morissette and Mark Hamill!! :D.