Last night along with Mrs Carthology and Sista Nic I attended the Popcorn taxi Clerks 2 premiere with Big Kev (US version) introducing the film.
As a diehard tubby one fan, one who even forgave the schlockfest that was Jersey Girl, I was a touch apprehensive.
My co-attendees were less worried about the film but were very much enjoying themselves with some quality people watching. The people you see lining up for a Kevin Smith premiere represent a true United Nations of Geekdom . I am positive you could have answered any trivia question in the world within the collective consciousness there
as long as the question involved Television/Science Fiction/Comics/ Toys and televised science fiction comics about toys.
The State Theatre (the ideal locale for the next Jay Z clip with red velvet and more gold than an Aztec) was surprisingly sold out. There was even a red carpet with attendant papparazzi. Found myself wondering who the big stars would be: Alex Papps? Millsy? The blokes from the Curiosity Show? None the less, an excited feeling prevailed.
I enjoyed the movie immensely, I think it helped being with an audience that was well versed in the world of Leonardo, NJ. Crude, vulgar, sexist with plenty of foul language, pretty much ticked all the boxes for me. Like all of his movies post Clerks, there was undeniably a mawkish cheese factor however if you are looking for "quality drama" you'd be elsewhere anyway. I've always been a sucker for the genre of Where are they now? Ala Schools Out!/Degrassi Next Generation/Facts of Life Reunion movie and I think Kevin is equally so.
Without going into a thousand spoilers (the proposed titles Still Clerkin' & Passion of the Clerks will give a pretty good idea), Randal still has all the good lines, Dante still can't act and the movie centres around growing up.
This is best shown when Randal is involved in a longwinded (how 'bout that) argument that there is only one return, and is of the Jedi and not the King. Seeing his beloved trilogy usurped by a series of movies about walking "even the trees" by a new generation does not sit well. I think this particular dialogue (especially as it involves the small dude with the big head from Alias) is up there with
NERDALERT the discussion of whether independent contractors employed in the construction of the second death star where innocent victims of of left wing terrorists or indeed made their bed when taking on the job, from the original movie.
Mr Smith himself looked nothing like the character played by Brad Pitt recently. He wore the ubiquitous trenchcoat, shorts and vans, looking every bit the tubby bitch he professes to be.
We didn't stay around for the Q & A session post film, by this stage the ladies' attention and needs were focused on Portuguese chicken products. I had a nagging case of impending doom with the Q & A, visualising questions asked in the key of Comic Book Guy. "worst sequel.....ever"
On introducing the film Kevin seemed to be generally stoked that Australia was indeed down with the View Askew universe, and throughout the screening many a genuine guffaw and even the odd uncontrolled snort could be found. Sure, it was no Happy Scrappy Hero Pup, but then again, what is.
Rating:
Long term Kevin Smith fans: ****
Date movie: ***
Hillsong Youth Group looking for uplifting good clean fun: *1/2
