Clerks II

We went to see the movie Clerks II tonight. The first Clerks was a blast. The dialog was superb. The actors new and fresh. When a sequel comes out, I assume it will bomb as the ride-the-coat-tails of its successful predecessor movie it is supposed to be. I understand the movie making business' need to capitalize on what works so they can make more money. But of course, the first Clerks movie was a surprise cult film and it's been more than 10 years since its presentation to the world. So I wondered how will this classic be ruined with a follow-up film? How can Kevin Smith even come close to the genius that is Clerks?

The movies that followed were surprisingly just as great as Clerks. The trilogy is completed with Mall Rats and Chasing Amy. Although the home-grown feeling is gone and the Kevin goes to Hollywood sense is present, he still comes through smashingly. How can things get any better than that? Then along comes Clerks II.

Clerks II is the story of Dante and Randal 10 years later. They show up at the Quickstop to find it burning to the ground. Randal is so into his routine that he walks into the burning store and doesn't even notice it's on fire until a firefighter escorts him out by the arm. So from the very beginning you get the feeling of how instilled their routine had become. So they take jobs at Mooby's, a fictional fast food joint where they meet Elias, a young virgin boy who becomes the brunt of all their frustrations. This kid is great. I am certain we will see him in more movies.

The movie takes place in a single day as Dante is preparing to depart his Jersey life to be leashed around by his gorgeous and overbearing fiancée, soon-to-be wife. She has a new life all prepared and paid for by her parents that includes a new home and a new job for Dante working for her father at a car wash. They leave for Florida in the morning. The dialog between the characters is as good as it gets. Randal's usual misguided judgment makes for fun scenes and conflict between the characters. Jay and Silent Bob complete the film with their usual dope peddling antics and ability to prove how truly uninformed they are. Although Randal's half-truths and ability to mix facts and twist them into strange tales like mixing up Helen Keller and Anne Frank puts him at the top of the idiot pile in the most delightful and entertaining way. Of course he comes through with words of wisdom and his character is solid in his commitment as a loyal friend. In the end all is worked out in the most pleasant turn of events. I was prepared for an ending that says, I don’t care what you think of this movie, instead I got a well-thought out, well written ending that rounds out the these boys characters in the most interesting way. Yes, it is a happy ending for all, but it wasn’t the kind of ending that I would call typical.

I loved the movie and will be happy to add it to my collection when it comes out on DVD. Hopefully that won’t be for a while, Kevin Smith deserves to capitalize on this one.