The opening sequence of “Jackass Forever” is one you’ll never forget. It’s a piece of filmmaking so bold, so audacious and so unbelievably, sublimely stupid that it will no doubt etch itself on your brain for years to come. I don’t dare describe it in print, because everyone deserves to discover it for themselves, but also because this publication wouldn’t be able to print the details. Let’s just say it’s “Godzilla”-inspired, with a uniquely “Jackass” twist.
“Sublimely stupid” is what the “Jackass” crew does best, and their formula (thankfully) hasn’t wavered since the prank/stunt reality comedy show debuted on MTV in October 2000, and evolved into a film franchise spanning two decades. There’s something comforting about the phrase, “I’m Johnny Knoxville, welcome to Jackass,” even, no, especially, if what comes next is a display of pure human agony and humiliation.
Knoxville, our devilish ringleader, sports his signature Wayfarers and coif, which he allows to go silver at some point in the filming, which is a sort of sweet display of how long he and the crew have been up to these antics, and how long we’ve been watching them. He is a circus ringmaster, a rodeo clown and a sadistic game show host, but always, his most important role is the one of big brother. While he freely dispenses surprise Taser attacks, he’s always the first to offer a high-five, the one laughing the loudest. Though “Jackass Forever” puts the cast member’s soft tissues through a pummeling like never before, it’s not the violence that puts a smile on your face, but the riotous back-slapping that follows follow the screams of agony after each pratfall, prank and punch.
