JACKASS 3D

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to a 3D movie after Piranha 3D along comes Jackass 3D; redefining what 3D technology means for filmmaking - namely capturing every body fluid imaginable in the glorious three dimensional slow motion.

Jackass began life as a TV show on MTV; Host Johnny Knoxville got together with fellow maniacs including Bam Magera and Steve-O to perform dangerous, outrageous, and at times offensive, stunts with total disregard for their own safety. Not content with small screen stardom the boys jumped to the big screen in 2002. 8 years later and the usual array of daredevil d***kheads have reunited to once again put their bodies through all manner of pain and indignity – with hilarious results.

The Jackass films are not high art and are not for anyone that is easily offended; but that said f**k they are funny. I would find it odd if you weren’t entertained, at the most base human level, by the assortment of bike stacks, bull rams, head punches and the always popular groin punch. The dwarf bar brawl featuring Wee Man aka Jason Acuna is easily a standout as is the man vs. jet engine sequence.

Jackass 3D does walk a fine line of good taste…sweat cocktail is disgusting and of all the animal stunts (and there are many – with all of the ‘jackasses’ coming off second best) seeing a pig eat an apple out of the behind of a large man is not something anyone should be subjected to; I still laughed though - does that make me a bad person?

I contemplated giving Jackass 3D a 4 star rating; it is what it is, and it does exactly what you would expect it to BUT the concept is feeling a little long in the tooth. Some of the stunts are spectacular – the Poo Cocktail Supreme being the piece de resistance – but others feel very scraped together, as though the guys were desperate for ideas in order to stretch out proceedings. The 3D element adds depth of field, and is at its best in slow motion replays, but isn’t really needed – vomit is still disgusting no matter what the dimension. Jackass 3D is a great way to kill time, and will have you rolling in the aisles in-between bouts of dry retching – what more could you ask for?

3 ½ of 5 Stars