‘Jackass 3D’ continues with the laughs and gags

By John Soltes

Everyone’s favorite pranksters are back with Jackass 3D, the third entry in the stupid-stunt, gross-out fest that first began as a MTV series. Johnny Knoxville and his band of crazy cohorts (including Steve-O and Bam Margera) sacrifice just about every part of their body for a cheap laugh. High-minded culture this is not.

In some ways, the Jackass franchise has become an ongoing Peter Pan series. At its demented heart is a story of grown men refusing to grow up. No matter what you say about their antics, you can’t deny that these guys have a lot of fun with these inane stunts (all of which should not be attempted at home).

But it’s admittedly difficult to look too deep into a movie that treats excrement like gold and broken limbs as badges of honor. Of the bits that make the final cut, there are several which are too graphic to describe (one involving a mountain and tabletop train was beyond gross). Some are violent and rambunctious (getting kicked by a mule, etc.).

Interspersed among the gross and stupid are actually funny bits of comedy that call to mind a warped Three Stooges skit. When Jason ‘Wee Man’ Acuna gets into a bar fight, the results are hilarious. When Margera falls into a pit of fake and live snakes (his worst nightmare), the crying is genuinely hysterical. I also appreciated the old standard of a man in a gorilla suit wreaking havoc in a hotel room.

There definitely are some gags worth catching in Jackass 3. But unfortunately one needs to sit through all the other mediocre stuff to find the true comedy. The thrill is just about gone in the world of Jackass. These lost boys may one day have to grow up.

Jackass 3D

2010

Directed by Jeff Tremaine

Starring Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and Bam Margera

Running time: 94 minutes

Rated R for male nudity, extremely crude and dangerous stunts throughout and for language

Bubble score: 2 out of 4

Click here to purchase Jackass 3 on DVD.