Jackass Forever
paramount picturesDefining a generation of bad decisions and hospital visits, the cultural impact of the Jackass franchise is undeniable. First airing on MTV in 2000, the Jackass crew quickly found themselves on the big screen with the hit Jackass: The Movie in 2002. Two decades later, and the crew now stand with an empire under their feet with multiple television series and feature films. With age, however, it seems like this content might be drawing to an end, with Jackass Forever playing a sort of swan song for at least the original cast behind the series. Coming out two decades after the original series, Jackass Forever sees most of the original crew join forces with new faces to deliver both new stunts and new versions of classics from throughout the Jackass universe.
Even after over two decades, there is something to be said about the creativity and sheer balls of the Jackass crew to put together the stunts they do. There is still a sadistic joy that comes from seeing these individuals put each other through pain, and the stunts within Jackass Forever are the most consistent they have ever been. While still absolutely disgusting and cringe-worthy at points, there is not a single joke that truly fails to land; the film ends up being one of the most enjoyable comedies to come out in years. Audiences who have enjoyed the previous projects from this group will find themselves audibly laughing and having a great time with content that still feels fresh and inventive. For better or for worst, the crew is clearly trying to actively invent new takes and ways to reach new heights with their content and while this might be overall bad for their bodies, it is certainly still worthwhile for their audiences.
It helps undeniably that the filmmaking behind the feature is rather thoughtful. Using new abilities when it comes to camerawork allows for clearer quality and things like slow motion to be used far more often and effectively than in previous entries. While the structure is the same, the quality feels truly cinematic which is a nice way to elevate the film as a whole in the context of the franchise it belongs to. Yet this identity behaves far differently in today's culture than it did in the early 2000s. The ability to have quality filmmaking now exists on most phones and the ability to have these crazy stunts is even popular online. The Jackass franchise is undeniably influential to those like the Paul Brothers or those featured in Netflix's Hype House, so on paper, the concept of Jackass is far less interesting and unique. Yet still, in practice, Jackass Forever still stands out for the same reason the entire franchise has stood out: its heart.
The secret ingredient for Jackass has long been its crew. Truly building a community of friends turned family, there is a sense of wholesome connection found within Jackass that feels authentic. This isn't just a group of random people getting together for clicks, it is a family returning to have possibly one last huzzah with each other, with the added factor of aging, this has never felt more poignant. The simple fact is that these individuals will not be able to make content like this forever, and Jackass Forever feels like both a celebration and goodbye to what they have created for the last 20-years. This is achieved not just by the crew revisiting some of their greatest hits but also by bringing in a younger crew who can appreciate and express the importance and size of what this franchise has achieved. For those who grew up with the franchise, Jackass Forever almost feels like a goodbye to the previous chapter of life. With that comes bittersweet emotions that are more powerful than anyone could have expected the Jackass franchise to create when it started.
For fans of the Jackass franchise, Jackass Forever will be perfection. Not only is it the most consistent Jackass film to date, but the film really does hold a special power and weight that elevates it beyond just being funny. It is a love letter to everything the Jackass franchise has meant and accomplished. While this never takes away from the humor, it undeniably elevates the material all around it and helps make Jackass Forever the best film of the franchise to date.
