Review: Jackass Forever

I was pleasantly surprised with how much heart was in the latest Jackass film. Jackass Forever is really a sweet film of youth to adulthood. Silver fox Johnny Knoxville and crew might be getting older, but the stunts and silly gags are still wacky as ever.

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Concussions aren't great, but as long as you have them before you're 50, it's cool, and Knoxville is 49, so we're good.

It has been 11-years since we last saw our rambunctious group of misfits and daredevils on the big screen (2010's Jackass 3D). Jackass Forever marks a return for the gross-out humor and slapstick comedy that will leave you laughing until it hurts. Jackass originally started out as a TV series on MTV that ran for three seasons from October 2000 to February 2002. Johnny Knoxville and friends then made their debut to film with Jackass: The Movie (2002). After that, the gang returned for Jackass Number Two (2006), Jackass 3D (2010), and now Jackass Forever (2022). There have also been a handful of spin-off TV shows, films (Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa), and bonus documentaries (Jackass 2.5 and 3.5). The latest trip of pain and glory features the group of old and new characters. The veteran actors returning were Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, and Preston Lacy. While they are all aging, that doesn't stop our veteran actors from still attempting these dangerous stunts.

However, this may be the last time we see these veteran actors returning to Jackass. Those old bones can only take so many hits. Knoxville suffered a serious concussion, a broken wrist, and rib after being hit by a bull in one of the stunts. "I knew heading into this, this was my last hurrah with big stunts." It was a bittersweet moment knowing that this will be their last time in the ring as they pass on the torch to younger members. The new faces include Jasper Dolphin, Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolfson, Eric Manaka, Darkshark, and a guy named Poopies. What I was not expecting with this latest installment was the amount of heart and good spirit that went into it. Jackass Forever might be a kinder and gentler film than the previous, but that doesn't mean our band of rascals has matured. Jeff Tremaine returns to the director's chair. He has been filming these Jackass movies for the past 20-years.

Tremaine knows the game and has gotten even stronger in his filming techniques and slow-mo replays. One thing that Forever does and is not afraid to show off was the amount of male nudity. Where Hollywood still seems too scared with male nudity, Jackass Forever presents it front and center. There is a giant green penis monster that attacks the city. Steve-O has his entire crotch covered in honey and a swarm of bees covers it, in the stunt titled "The Bee Genitals." The group encounters bees, spiders, snakes, scorpions, vultures, and bears. While professional trainers handled the animals, making sure the safety of the animals is always there. Some of the stunts include "The Human Ramp," "Body Surfing," "The Flight of Icarus," "The Triple Wedgie," and "Ehren's Cup Tests." We are going into year three of COVID, and I really needed a good laugh during these hard times. Jackass Forever was the medicine to help lift me up, sending stitches to my sides. Through gross-out humor, slapstick comedy, and schadenfreude, Jackass Forever succeeds with the healing power of laughter. What a beautiful thing.

Jackass Forever is rated R (Restricted) Language Throughout | Graphic Nudity | Dangerous Stunts | Strong Crude Material.

Dedicated to the late Ryan Dunn.

Directed by Jeff Tremaine

Starring Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, Jasper Dolphin, Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolfson, Eric Manaka, Darkshark, and Poopies.