I've been revisiting Kevin Smith's filmography for the first time in about 10 years (at least those which have Jay and Silent Bob in them) and I just finished watching Mallrats. I remember liking the movie the last time I saw it but I always had fonder memories of his other movies. After finishing the movie, my opinion hasn't really changed on it. Mallrats is alright, but I'd say it's his weakest movie set within the View Askewniverse. Aside from some funny moments I was surprised how many jokes also fell flat and it overall was just not as interesting as his debut feature. I also remember a lot of people telling me that Mallrats was their favorite Kevin Smith movie, which I still find hard to believe. They have obviously never seen Chasing Amy.
I have recently done the same, watched all view askewniverse films again in order.
Clerks was better than I remembered it - I can identify loads with their plight from a bit earlier in my life. I'm the same age as Randal and Dante (they're supposed to be 22-24 right?) and say 5 years ago I worked in a low-income service occupation (like the clerks) and back then I had no idea where I was headed, that I'd be an MD.
6/10, solid.
Dogma was way worse the second time around, but it's a good film. Some great films lacks substantial rewatchability, especially if they have a convoluted plot and/or characters but lacks the causal mystery that can make 100 % plot-driven movies great rewatchs. When you're cluing in on what went on before your eyes the first time you saw a film but didn't realize until the last 5 minutes (Shyamalans early movies are as good the second time even though they have "ending twists", just to watch it logically unfold to the inevitable "surprise").
But seeing the screwball stuff in Dogma (like angels genitals, female god, scamming your way into heaven and end existence, shït monster, 13th apostle, train god playing ski-ball as an old homeless guy, buddy jesus, board room massacre, train coincidence and so on) wasn't all that fun this time. Almost every punchline is dependant on absurdity and surprise element.
Much of the lack of rewatchability I think is the lack and flow of the usual Smith everyday dialogue, since his other films take place in sort of a real(ish) universe. Good
6/10 overall since it's lack of rewatchability doesn't take away that it's good the first time.
Chasing Amy I did not like at all the first time but now I can relate a lot to the plot. It's a dramedy of sorts, certainly his most serious attemp at that in the view askewniverse and it doesn't offer many laughs according to me. Joey Lauren Adams is a nuisance to some. Yet really insightful and a good
6/10.
Strike Back I remember loving the first time around. Gave it a 7 then (I'm a really harsh rater, a 6 is a film I like, a 5 is indifference and 7 is a film I really liked). But it lacks rewatchability in the exact same way as Dogma, as absurdity and surprise play big roles in almost every scene.
6/10. Lacks the everyday philosophy of his best films.
I even added
Cop Out to the mix. I think it's underrated, has some real belly laughs and I think the opening montage making fun of "homages" are brilliant. Do not know how much is Smith, how much is the script and so on. I'd give it a
6/10 but that could be biased because I saw it with a "laughy" friend and only seen it once.
Ended on
Jersey Girl. Seriously, Ben Affleck can act and Kevin Smith can write some really insightful stuff. I don't really get how he can understand so much about regular life since he's been a movie director since his mid-20s. It reminded me so much of my girlfriend that passed and how it's impossible to cope in the beginning but you find love amongst other people/family in the longer run. Yet another of his films I could relate loads to. Cried constantly. Massively underrated.
7/10.
(Cop Out and Jersey Girl I have only seen once)
reply
share
eru0527
12 years ago
And now to the two films, both in the askewniverse, that I have the strongest opinions about.
Mallrats is some sort of re-hash of Clerks, but without the insight, with needless pop-culture references (which he usually does good) and no plot. Jason Lee is pretty unlikable as one of the leads and Jeremy London seems to be half asleep for most of the film. All this would be well and fine if it at least were funny like Cop Out, JSBSB or Dogma. But there isn't much redeeming in this one, except some half-funny bits and pieces. 4/10
And the film of Kevin Smith I have the absolute strongest opinion on, Clerks II. I think this film is god damn brilliant. Like one of the 25 best comedies of all time. I can so extremely closely identify with the "White collar expectations" on people from all backgrounds. We are supposed to marry some boring wife, have some snotty kids, have a "good" job in middle-management, a well-cleaned house and trimmed lawn. But does those things make people happy? I don't care for the whole "appearances" with the nice house and garden etc. Why can't you for example work with your best friend in your hometown with the girl that makes you laugh. I myself will never live in a house, will never marry a boring wife. I cherish friendship and fun times. Not the appearance of high status.
It also has something to say about real friendship, and about people like Randal. You know the foul-mouthed, don't-give-a-shït semi-douchebag. It's not like those people doesn't have feelings also, and that often that kind of personality is sort of a shield protecting them from appearing weak/sensitive.
Can also relate to the boredom of recovering from addiction. This whole film relates to me on so many levels, although I feel all that those guys feel (should I go with the expectations, or roll the dice?) at 24 instead of 33. I already have that paranoia were my life is going, and as Randal/Dante I often wonder if my happiest days lies in the past.
I would so much want to give it a 9/10, but seriously some stuff with the donkey, Elias jerking off and a few more bits that are overly "offensive" (not to me) just to be offensive brings it down. It would be okay if all those parts were funny, like Randal's Ass-to-mouth tirade, but the donkey stuff is just painful. And then there are some slap-stick falls (or vomit) where it feels like Smith just doesn't know how to end the scene. A little more refined script and this would be 9-10/10. For now it'll be 8/10, and out of 555 voted comedy films it is only Airplane I ever have given higher than 8 (gave it a 9). And have only given 18 other comedies an 8. So this is a film I hold in the highest regard.
I really don't know how Smith can be so in touch with a regular life and the worries about the future. He's set for life living the dream. He can probably get exactly what he wants green-lit at this point. But man, the man is smart. I think he is much smarter than most would think.
reply
share