Clerks II (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition) Reviews

• A Worthy Follow-Up, Despite the Non-Indie Feel to It

  
  By ABSX5TGEGRH76 on 2006-07-22
  The original Clerks is a landmark movie; made on a budget of $28,000, it became a huge cult hit and began the "Askewniverse", the film and comic book world populated by characters like Jay (Jason Mewes), Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), and the Hicks family (all played by Brian O'Halloran). While Clerks II is the first direct sequel to any Askewniverse film, it, like all the others, has certain elements that have writer/director Kevin Smith's fingerprints all over it.
  The story starts 10 years after the end of Clerks. Dante Hicks (O'Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) still work at the Quick Stop and RST Video stores, respectively, despite the fact that they are now in their 30's. As the movie opens, Dante opens the shutters to see that the building is on fire due to Randal's negligence. For the next year, the two of them work at Mooby's, a fast food restaurant. Though their setting has changed, they are still clerks. They still have to put up with annoying customers, but now they have to make food as well. They also have coworkers to put up with, notably Elias (Trevor Fehrman) a 19-year-old who still kisses his mother goodbye everyday when she drops him off. He and Randal are usally arguing about who grew up with better pop culture, with Randal backing Star Wars and Elias championing Lord of the Rings and Transformers. We also meet their boss in this movie (in the original Clerks, we never met their superior and only knew him as "The Boss"). Becky (Rosario Dawson) is a cool and very tolerant (in Randal's case) manager who likes hanging out with Dante while Randal and Elias work. Jay and Silent Bob are also still in the lives of Dante and Randal. Since the Quick Stop burned down, they had to find a new place to hang out in front of, and they chose Mooby's. They are still drug dealers, but now they themselves are clean.
  The majority of the film takes place on Dante's last day of work. He is leaving New Jersey forever with his fiancee Emma (Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Kevin Smith's real-life wife) the following day, much to Randal's disappointment. Randal doesn't like Emma very much, and the feeling is mutual, and Dante himself seems to prefer Becky. He seems a lot more relaxed and happy around her than with Emma, who was a jerk to him in high school (though more on this subject later).
  Clerks II has many callbacks to the first and has all of Smith's trademarks, but it is definitely its own movie. In both this and the original, we see Dante's morning routine for opening the store, he paints a girl's toenails in each film, Dante does something on the roof, Dante is caught between two girls, and there are some others that I don't want to spoil. Jason Lee and Ben Affleck both make appearances, who have appeared in every Smith film since Mallrats (the movie after Clerks). This film, according to Kevin Smith, is the last film of the Askewniverse (though that's what he said about Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), and it serves to tie up most of the loose ends (as Smith calls it, it is an epilogue of the Askewniverse).
  This is definitely a film that merits repeat viewings. On top of being laugh-out-loud hilarious, it is so good that you will most likely miss parts of the dialogue due to the audience laughing so hard. I would see it now, then wait a few weeks when the crowds have thinned out, then go see it again.
  This film was made for only $5,000,000, which is small by Hollywood standards, but is 185 times greater than the budget for the first film. It is my opinion that Smith tried to do a lot of things that he could not have done in the first movie. Dante and Randal leave the restaurant to go somewhere, but this time, we actually see where they go (in Clerks, they went to a funeral, but we didn't see what went on because it would have been too expensive to hire extras and rent another location). There is also a hilarious dance sequence where Dante and Becky are dancing on the roof while other people in the film start dancing in their various places (and Randal "wrangles" across the counter), and the shots of Dante and Randal in their car are not shot from the back seat.
  The one problem I had with this film is the love story. I don't think it was terrible, but it seemed a little trite for a Kevin Smith movie. It was very straightforward; the minute that Becky even hinted at her feelings for Dante, we knew that these two were meant for each other. In the first Clerks, thing were more ambigous about which girl Dante should go for. Still, when it wasn't being cheesy, it provided for some laughs.
  This part isn't so much a problem as an observation. Clerks II definitely does not feel like an indie film. I guess that's natural, because if you have $5,000,000 to make a film that will be inexpensive, you might as well go the whole nine yards. Also, and this is a very convoluted analysis (and is probably over-analysis), but one of the things Kevin Smith said is that this is a film about being in your 30's while the first was about being in one's 20's. Maybe the indie film has a closer connection with one's 20's (you are young, just starting off in your life as an adult, can't afford much), but once you get to your 30's, things are more mainstream and you can achieve just a little more if you try.
  In summation, Clerks II is a great movie, definitely one of the funniest I've seen since The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Be warned that it is extremely vulgar (Smith was afraid of getting an NC-17 rating despite no violence or nudity), so don't bring the kids or easily upset friends. But with Kevin Smith, you really can't expect anything else.
  
  

• Oooh Cake

  
  By A2CRIEA7FXEFST on 2006-07-31
  
  When the name of filmmaker Kevin Smith is uttered there are two common responses. One is of great support which states that Smith broke the restraints of Hollywood and created a film, Clerks (1994), with a bare bones budget that outshined Hollywood blockbusters with its humor, dialogue, and fleshed out characters. This response might also include statements that Smith truly has his finger on pop, geek?, culture and that through his filmic creations he shows an accurate portrayal of fandom. The second response is that Smith is a complete hack and an unskilled director who rehashes the same unfunny jokes and that his references to pop culture, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Batman, etc., are nothing more than triggers to get a response out of the dregs of fandom similar to the writers of Family Guy who have nothing to write but running gags without any truly original material.
  
  As for me, I've enjoyed all of Smith's films that include the duo of Jay and Silent Bob. I've never watched Jersey Girl and there is a good chance that I'll never watch that one based on the feedback of a number of my friends. It is not easy for me to pinpoint exactly why I enjoy Smith's films so much because there are obviously quite a number of better movies produced every year, but I believe one of the attractions for me is the return of the same actors, besides Ben Affleck, in every film, with my favorite being Brian O' Halloran. So, obviously, it was a great pleasure for me to see O'Halloran back in the starring role for a Kevin Smith film after some twelve years.
  
  After the Quick Stop burns down due to Randal forgetting to unplug the coffee pot, Dante and Randal are forced to work at Mooby's, a fast food restaurant. After twelve years of working menial jobs, it seems that Dante is finally going to improve his status in life when he gets engaged to Emma who not only offers him a stable relationship, but also financial security through the fact that he will become the manager of one of her father's car washes in Florida. Less than thrilled by the departure of his best friend, Randal at least wants to send off Dante with a bang. Hi sendoff involves a donkey... However, not only Randal regrets the engagement of Dante, also his manager Becky, who Dante shares a bit more than a professional relationship, will miss our goateed hero for a few reasons.
  
  Like his previous films, Smith's Clerks II contains some extraordinarily pedantic but worthless bantering between the characters, The Trilogy Question: The Lord of the Rings vs. Star Wars, and some totally bizarre interactions Randal and Elias' discussion on Pillow Pants, but what struck me most about the film was the age of the actors and their almost unchanged roles from twelve years ago. Stuck at a menial job, Dante and Randal represent what many of us fear the most: a life full of ennui and doldrums. This topic comes out full force at the end of the film, but I think the subtle hints of the films context is handled well just through observing the characters and their interactions with each other. Maybe I am reading too much into a Kevin Smith film, but I did feel this as I watched it and being close to the age of the characters, 33, it made me reflect a bit on my own circumstances. A good film overall, but I believe one must be a Kevin Smith fan to enjoy it or at least watched the original Clerks which I enjoyed as a whole more.
  
  
  

• Clerks II arrives a little late, but still delivers the goods

  
  By A1JKNVM6NAU13V on 2006-12-04
  Despite it's often distant approach from certain aspects that made its foundation film "Clerks" such an interesting underground sensation, Clerks II has its good points. In Clerks II, we shift locales a bit as Randall Graves accidentally leaves a coffee pot on and subsequently burns down the infamous Qwik Mart that the original film took place at. The two are soon thereafter working at Mooby's, which to this viewer appears as nothing more than a poor man's Burger King in New Jersey. I won't profess to be a Clerks aficionado and it has been years since I saw the first film "Clerks" but I will do my best to give "Clerks II" a comprehensive review.
  
  Clerks II centers on the characters of Randall Graves and Dante Smith as they go through their toiling days as burger flipping, floor mopping fast food soldiers. Not far from the foreground of this are Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) who were notorious in the first movie (released in 1994) for being no more than two dudes who hung out outside the Qwik Mart all day while playing music, talking about nothing, and selling weed. Now they are at Mooby's doing the same thing, except for the fact that during the timeline between the two films they were arrested and instead of doing time are now born again Christians which apparently was part of their rehabilitation that came from the plea bargain. Clerks holds onto the basis of the original film in that it simply lets the everyday characters tell the story, which often can hit close to home. Bucking Social programming and being anything but politically correct, we're soon thrown into the various personalities that come from the people that work there. Dante is soon leaving for Florida with his gorgeous blond fiancé', although the real love of his life is the woman who is his manager at the store. Graves is the most obnoxious, loudmouthed idiot you will ever meet, and most of the time he appears as very insecure while masking it with making fun of anything and anyone. The F-word seems to be a mainstay with Graves and Jay (hanging outside of course) and though I'm anything but prude, got to tire of it after a bit. Perhaps it was a good thing, as it adds to the adolescent mindset that Graves brings to the screen. A deeper storyline evolves as we find that Graves is feeling lost with the impending move Dante is about to make. Deciding to throw an, err, erotic based party for him at Mooby's for a going away present, some misunderstandings quickly spiral out of control with all the laughs and "oh nooooo!" the viewer can handle.
  
  Poking fun at everything from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to Societies own judgment of people by their job titles and stereotypes, Clerks II stands up in a world full of sugar coating, political correctness and manners and tips the tables upside down with vulgarity, slapstick humor and a bizarre set of character driven sub plots that tie together nicely in the end. While I was somewhat disappointed through the first half hour of the film due to the fact it seemed to lose some of its indie-film underground grittiness, it made up for it in other areas. Clerks II isn't for everyone, and Kevin Smith aficionados may think differently about the overall approach of this film. Clerks II also has cameo appearances by Jason Lee and Ben Affleck.
  
  

• worst_______movie________ever

  
  By A53S8VVT1IHA7 on 2006-12-04
  You have to be kidding me. 4 stars....5 stars on this page for this piece of crap that owes me an hour and a half of my life back?!?! I've been seeing some really crappy movies these days but this is just PATHETIC.
  Who cares who's name is attached to this movie?? The only reason this does not get ZERO stars is because King Diamond actually has a song appearance here and there and Jay & Silent Bob are the only thing funny in this whole thing. I've seen better acting on a Grape-Nuts commercial.
  Come on .... the plot is that the dorky guy gives up the 'hot rich' chick to be with the 'down to earth' chick? That your friends miraculously have tons of money for you to start your own business?? Dudes telling dudes how much they love and mean to eachother in a Comedy movie??? When did this become Brokeback Clerks? I can't believe anyone over the age of 10 would find this "funny". What a piece of crap. Rent that fireplace DVD instead and just watch flames on your screen. It would be funnier.
  
  

• Kevin Smith get the HD-DVD treatment he deserves

  
  By A23RBUVR2YH77L on 2007-01-31
  Well, I know Clerks II doesn't come to mind when wanting to show off HiDef Picture and Sound quality, Clerks II still looks damn fine in HD, and will impress any fan.
  
  Video Quality:
  
  Clerks II is presented in the MPEG-4 AVC codec, and holds up nicely against VC-1. Many reviewers have complained about the hot overblown contrast of the cinematography, but to tell you the truth, it never bothers me as I think it feels more real. Considering most of the film is set inside a fast food resturant in the middle of the day, you'd expect that.
  
  Film Grain is evident but never really distracts, as it just adds to the low-budget nature of the film. Clarity and sharpness are top-notch and is never an issue, and detail always manages to hit it's mark. There is some slight digital grain on BG walls and floors, but overall not a bad transfer.
  
  Score: 3.5/5
  
  Audio Quality:
  
  Sound wise, Clerks II HD-DVD fairs up as you could imagine for a dialogue driven film. Dialogue is always clear from the front speakers, yet the surrounds and LFE are rarely used. It does it's job, and the HD-DVD comes with a bonus Dolby Digital TrueHD track (which is not displayed on the back cover).
  
  Score: 3/5
  
  Extras:
  
  Like it's DVD cousin, this HD-DVD gets all the bells and whistles of special features, but THIS TIME round, they're displayed in 1080i HD glory. Ok, it's not everything, but it's nice to see the behind the scenes in all their glory. The docos are very funny and entertaining (as you'd expect from Kevin Smith), and the 3 audio commentaries will not dissapoint any fan.
  
  Score: 5/5
  
  Overall:
  
  I am a HUGE fan of Kevin Smith, and in my opinion Clerks II is his strongest film to date. It's hilarious, laugh-out-loud gross yet heart felt at times.
  
  Call me insane, but Clerks II was one of the main reasons I chose HD-DVD over Blu-ray. It's a gem of a movie that any fan should be without in there HD-DVD collection.
  
  Overall Score: 5/5
  
  -zallapo
  
  
• the journey comes to an end.
  By A2OR09N5HH20PY on 2007-09-13
  The final chapter of the "New Jersey Chronicles" is am almost satisfying ending to a series of films extending about 15 years.
  
  its more than 10 years after the events of clerks. Dante and Randall's situation hasnt improved much. they're still working basically the same jobs. in the opening scene the quick stop pretty much burns down. the rest of the movie after that takes place at Mooby's fast food place, Dante and Randall's other job.
  
  ive always found Dante to be a kind of bland character, just like TC in Mallrats, but they both have that outrageous sidekick (randall) so it balances out well.
  
  Clerks 2 carries the torch of the original perfectly, with classic characters and always entertaining strings of dialogue. the movie has a satisfying ending which properly brings closure to the chronicles. i wish Kevin would keep it up though. even after all these years, these characters havent played themselves out at all, even if their own creator thinks thats the case. Kevin Smith is arguably my favorite writer/director, so im kind of biased, but all of his work that ive seen couldnt be any better in my opinion.
  
  like most DVD's Kevin Smith puts out, this has the special features to keep anybody busy for a while, including an hour and a half long documentary on the making of Clerks 2.
  
  
• The Best Kevin Smith Movie next to Dogma
  By A2F7CCPK4QL359 on 2007-02-28
  I like Kevin Smith movies..I love an evening with Kevin Smith one (see my review) and two (evening harder). So this film is a NO-Brainer
  
  Smith's sequel to his classic film Clerks is more of a contining story ten years hence. Dante & Randal have now become employees of Mooby's (Smith's version of McDonalds) after their former clerk job burned up in a fire, because Randal left the coffee pot on.
  
  Smith has made this a coming of age story for the Dante character, making this the few days in New Jersey and moving with his girlfriend (played by Smith's wife Jennifer Schwalbach). Rosario Dawson is under used as the Mooby's sexy but sweet manager.
  
  There are cameos by Ben Affleck and Jason Lee (who took moments from their busy film and TV careers)...but there is NO GEORGE CARLIN (Boo-Hiss) in this movie. The Jay and Silent Bob characters make too short appearances in this film, but when they are on screen-it is worth it!
  
  If you like Clerks, Mallrats, or Chasing Amy, this bittersweet comedy is great. If you are seeking another Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, it one has more heart. However, as good as this is-IT aint no DOGMA!
  
  Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD
  
  
• Another opinion...
  By AV52K5VP4RUBG on 2006-07-06
  I have to agree with "Boss Fan" in his desire to counteract the ridiculous and pointless bashing of a movie that isn't even out yet. If "John Q. Public" doesn't like the earlier films of Kevin Smith, fine. He's entitled to his opinion. If he would like to write reviews of each of those movies on their respective pages, also fine, although I hope he would explain what specifically he did not like and back up his opinions with thoughful, logical arguments.
  
  That being said, I really like all of Kevin's past movies. I understand why some people don't like them and why none of them have been enormously successful. It's a mighty difficult tightrope to walk trying to balance poop and [...] jokes with intelligent, thoughful commentary on the world around us, but Kevin does a pretty impressive job of managing the feat. He's tackled the nature of male/female relationships, the profundity of God, religion and the Catholic Church, and the stuggle between single parenthood and career. All the while, he's managed to make me laugh like hell.
  
  Is "Clerks II" any good? I don't know yet, but you can bet I'll be seeing it opening weekend. And if Kevin Smith's track record means anything at all, it will be riotously funny with maybe a little something to think about after it's over (even if it's only whether contract employees building the second Death Star were supporting a tyranical ruler and deserved to die or they were innocent victims of a war they had nothing to do with).
  
  While waiting to decide for yourself if "Clerks II" is a good movie or not, check out Kevin Smith's other movies: "Clerks," "Mallrats," "Chasing Amy," "Dogma," "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," and "Jersey Girl." I highly recommend all of them.
  
  
• The Real Comedy is Off-Screen
  By A5TZXWU8AALIC on 2006-07-22
  Even the best reviews for a Kevin Smith movie always point out the primitive dialogue, the absence of any real plot, the complete lack of any technical skill or knowledge whatsoever.
  
  That to me is the real comedy of these films: that a group of juvenile stoners who would laugh at a monkey relieving itself on a tree branch would blow enough of their parents' cash to the point that the Hollywood machine has to take this guy seriously. He admits how terrible he is at directing! He openly tells everyone that the sum of his wit and knowledge still dwells in the bathroom stalls with sixth-graders!
  
  I've always thought it was hilarious that Smith said in an interview that he wanted to track down the Internet nerds who didn't like his movies and punch them out at their front doors.
  
  The funniest part of his latest effort to cash in has to be the Joel Seigel episode. For the first time in 30 years (according to Seigel), he was so outraged and disgusted by a movie that he publicly stormed out. After this news hit the NY Post, Smith sat in on a radio show and called Seigel at home to chew him out for his unprofessionalism. Think about that.
  Kevin Smith bawled a critic out for not sitting through his movie where characters arrange for a bestiality-for-money scheme. Now that's funny!
  
  Seigel apologized and said that when he walks out of the second movie in his film criticism career, he'll be more quiet.
  Funny, funny stuff. And it's not even in the movie.
  
  
• Misery Loves Company
  By AZSN1TO0JI87B on 2006-07-27
  I'm sure many were worried when Kevin Smith had announced plans to make a sequel to his classic 1994 debut, "Clerks." After the failure of "Jersey Girl," a movie that stepped out of the realm of the self-created "View Askewniverse," it seemed almost as if Kevin was desperate, out of ideas, and was simply going back to the well with a safe movie. Hell, it's been 12 years since the original movie, why wait so long to do a sequel? Well, all worries are cast aside, because in typical Kevin Smith fashion, "Clerks II" is a unique and multi-layered film. Think of all that has happened since 1994, and you can sort of imagine what the tone of this movie, "Clerks II," is like.
  
  Here we have two loveable slackers in Dante and Randal, who are now in their mid-thirties, still doing dead end, meaningless work for as little pay as possible. They say high school never ends, and for these two, that could never be more true. Not much, if anything, has changed for these guys. Until one morning Dante opens up shop at the Quick Stop, only to find the "Hell-Hole" appropriately engulfed in flames. So, a location change is in order, and the duo set off the find work at the local Mooby's, a fast-food chain. Dante finds pleasure in working with his boss, Becky (played by Rosario Dawson), and Randal finds equal pleasure in tormenting his awkward teenage co-worker (Dante's understudy) Elias (Trevor Fehrman), who just so happens to hold good Christian morals. Hilarity ensues. "Clerks II" packs a lot into an hour and thirty minutes. From huge laughs, to surprisingly sentimental moments, how could any fan not love this movie? So many classic lines and moments (Pillow-pants) combined with loads of nostalgia and in-jokes, it's enough to make the average Kevin Smith fan well-up with pride.
  
  "Clerks II" is, in so many words, a big present to the fans. Those who have watched the original countless times will be rewarded by this movie (I know I felt pretty connected with this movie and even got a bit emotional at parts), which happens to carry what is, in my estimation, the most satisfying ending in the history of cinema. Kevin Smith has truly outdone himself. "Clerks II" is equal parts hilarious, poetic and cathartic. Just as it should be. When someone around you happens to say "sequels suck" or "sequels are never as good as the original," you have this to throw in their face.
  
  
• You know the man. You know the movies. You know you want it.
  By A2JRDOWO0MKNNT on 2006-11-30
  This review is mainly in response to Pugsly's, especially "The soundtrack is pathetic... Soul Asylum?"
  
  Um... Soul Asylum was also in the first clerks film.
  
  Clerks II is the sequel to Clerks. It's *NOT* Clerks. It's as crude, funny, craftily written, etc. But it really *IS* ten years later and things have changed since the original Clerks was written. Kevin is Older (and has a budget). Randal and Dante are older. Emo's are all the rage. 9/11 happened. Clerks II is a movie about relationships during the culture of the day, just like the original Clerks. The culture changed in ten years - so should the sequel.
  
  If you liked Clerks, watch Clerks. If you want to see what's happened to Dante, Randal, Silent Bob, Jay, and the rest of the gang in the 10 years since Clerks, buy and watch Clerks II.
  
  -M
  
  
• LAME
  By A1GWO51Q5S1ASW on 2006-12-05
  This movie was a disaster. There wasn't a laughable moment. It was just a series of disjointed scenes that aren't funny on their own, let alone put together into a whole movie. And why start a love story 50 minutes into it? No one cares. Either stick to the no-plot theme or give the plot respect. Don't hurry it along in the last half hour because you've spent the bulk of your time on female anatomy, animal abuse, and gay jokes. The whole movie just made me depressed thinking how Kevin Smith is probably alot like his characters - getting older but staying exactly the same.
  
  
• "Uh, that guy's being awfully forward with that donkey."
  By A2HVL790PBWYTU on 2006-12-26
  SPOILERS alert here. Also, I have to say this upfront: I actually liked JERSEY GIRL, so take this review for whatever you think it's worth.
  
  No worries, fans of CLERKS. Kevin Smith didn't eff it up. With CLERKS 2, our trousers-challenged maverick writer/director crafts an admirable and wickedly funny sequel to his 1994 indie, black and white cult hit. Once again, Smith creates a rallying film for the disenfranchised and the disinclined. And he brings his usual bag of tricks: the bawdy humor, the character-driven interplays, the pop culture indulgences, and the beloved characters.
  
  Here's the plot: It's been a decade since we last met up with Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson), who had been whiling their dead end lives away in a convenience store and a video shop. Well, CLERKS 2 finds the Quick Stop burnt down due to a coffee machine mishap and the hapless duo now toiling at the haphazardly frequented fast food joint Mooby's. At first glance, not much has really changed. With the lack of steady customers, the duo still finds plenty of time to goof around and mouth off. Now in their thirties, Randal is still as abrasive as ever, but Dante seems to have finally decided to get his life into gear. This is his last day working at Moody's. Tomorrow, he's driving out of Jersey with his cute fiancee Emma (Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, the director's wife) and moving to Florida, where he's promised a job by her pops and even a house by her moms. He's pretty much made up his mind, though certain doubts linger. His best buddy Randal thinks he's taking the easy way out, a sentiment echoed by Becky (the easy-on-the-eyes Rosario Dawson), their sexy and cool supervisor at Moody's, who herself doesn't buy into romantic love. But Dante is determined to go. What he doesn't know is that this day has some life altering surprises in store for him. There, so much for the plot.
  
  First of all, Kevin Smith's great strength is his ear for dialogue. Folks have already made mention of Smith's directing skills, or, rather, how little they've progressed ever since the first CLERKS. I happen to think he's a pretty decent filmmaker, but, I really believe the field in which he truly excels is writing. And I'm not talking about flowery diction and high-faluting prose. I'm talking about words from the gut, the real-life crap that people say or want to say as they go thru their day to day existence. CLERKS 2 revels in its playful but obscene riffs as much as it does in its theme of slackerhood and its tendencies for pop culture references. Whether the topic is sexual etiquette, the superiority of one cinematic trilogy over another, or the sensitive issue of standing still as life passes one by, Smith's words, as spoken by the film characters, are honest, sometimes vulgarly honest.
  
  The humor in this film made me howl. It's not drawing board wit, no. The comedy is vintage CLERKS, ranging from scatological, to sexual, to racial, to just plain juvenile. Off the top of my head, the scenes where I laughed the longest and loudest are the LORD OF THE RINGS versus the STAR WARS trilogy debate, the "porch monkey" bit, and the donkey scene (or to quote the Sexy Stud: "interspecies erotica").
  
  I have to say that Rosario Dawson helps greatly to elevate this movie from being merely an exercise in incessant hanging out and talking trash. She is sunny, winning, beautiful, and is a natural actress. You might wonder initially what draws her to a frumpy looking guy like Dante, but it's her attraction to such a normal guy - and even kind of a loser - that makes the movie work even better for me. Her Becky exudes such a level-headed yet whimsical personality that I thought, yes, she could actually fall for this numbnut, bless her heart. Their relationship nicely depicts how a good friendship could, in time, transform into something more. From the special features, I found out that Bryce Howard, Sarah Silverman, and Liv Tyler were wooed for the part of Becky. Frankly, I now find it hard to picture anyone but Dawson in that role, though I'm sure Liv wouldn't have been too shabby.
  
  Brian O'Halloran as the quietly harried Dante is again effective here, but it is Jeff Anderson who shines brighter as the rude, crude, and irresponsible Randal. His moments with Dante while they were incarcerated near the movie's end are searingly real, raw, and heartfelt. And to think that Anderson, at first, had to be talked into doing this sequel. Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, in the thankless role of Emma, Dante's fiancee, manages to pull off a nice performance in her few scenes. Trevor Fehrman as the 19 year old, Lord of the Rings and Transformers fanatic, Elias, is a bit over the top, but funny enough (his Pillowpants bit is giggly funny). Meanwhile, Jason Mewes as Jay and the director himself as Silent Bob are back after spending six months in rehab (the characters, not the actors, though Mewes did have his drug problems) and remain amusing, as ever. It's nice to know that, though they continue to ply their drug dealing trade, they've at least found Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Cameos are also made by Smith regulars Ben Affleck and Jason Lee, and even Wanda Sykes pops in for a while, but not long enough to hurt the film.
  
  The bonus features (of over six hours, as boasted on the dvd cover): disc one includes three film commentaries (the best one is the second commentary selection, which offers Smith and most of the cast), plenty of deleted scenes, and "A Closer Look at Interspecies Erotica"; disc two has the engrossing hour and a half long behind-the scenes-look "Back to the Well: Clerks 2," an extended blooper reel (which is mostly bland, excepting those takes with Rosario - yep, she got to me), and "Trains Wrecks: Video Production Diaries" (including Jason Lee's "The Tongue Song"). Most of the special features come with the option of an intro by Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier.
  
  This flick is low brow, vulgar to the extreme and, certainly, gasp inducing. But CLERKS 2 also has plenty of heart and, surprisingly, several sweet moments, which surface when you least expect it. Kevin Smith made this film as a fond salute to the slacker generation who adored the first CLERKS and also as an homage to his younger, more unsure self who was just starting out and who believed back then that more things seemed possible to achieve. CLERKS 2 is a movie about a day in the life of several ordinary folks, whose copious downtime, on the surface, is filled with nonsensical junk. But, when you get right down to it, these seemingly throwaway moments depict and define their lives, and, as such, they prove to be very real. I'm personally giving this one 5 stars, but, remember, I also liked JERSEY GIRL.
  
  
  
• Who needs to be a Kevin Smith fan?
  By ASQ7ADNV5JWZG on 2006-07-25
  This movie was one of the best that I have seen in a long time. First I would like to think that Kevin Smith was pressing to make this movie 90 minutes long. THANK YOU! Who told directors and other movie makers that longer means better? Pirates II was a good movie but I did fall asleep. Spiderman II? Don't get me started on The Lord of the Rings (notice I didn't use the trilo... word). So much stuff could have been cut out of these movies and made them less of a chore to sit through.
  
  Clerks II seems to be a lot more accessable than the first. The movie is not in black and white as the first. Great choice for the first but b&w seems to put off a lot of people right from the start. The jokes in Clerks II are more straight up and not quirky like in the first. What's funnier than a 40 year old virgin? A nineteen year old one that believes in Pillow Pants. This is the first movie that I laughed hard at in a long time. The writing was great. What else are a couple of 30+ year olds who work in a fast food restaurant going to talk about? Heck, I run into dead enders in my job that are just like Randal and Dante. The discussion are simplistic, unimportant and crude. Just like their lives.
  
  The acting has much improved from the first movie. I watched the first one a couple of days ago and it still sounds like all the actors are reading from scripts. O'Halloran wasn't brilliant but he was better. Anderson was great. I have to wonder what order they filmed the movie in because it seemed that Anderson's acting got better as the movie went on. It got to the point where it didn't seem like he was delivering lines and he was actually speaking from the heart about his only friend Dante.
  
  Jay and Silent Bob were great. Back to being side characters passing by for quick moments of comic relief. It appeared like Smith was setting Bob up for another speech a la Chasing Amy (which was appropriate in that movie) and, well, I got nothing. ;)
  
  This movie like his others is about dialog. Listening to the inane things that the chracters are talking about actually rings true when you look at what people talk about you in your own work place. Randal's take on the best friend's girlfriend is dead on.
  
  If you aren't a Kevin Smith fan or you don't even know who he is wait until this one comes out on DVD and rent it. Take a chance you will probably like this one. Then take a shot at Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy. They may surprise you. I don't see how movies like Dumb and Dumber, Napoleon Dynamite, 40 Year Old Virgin, Old School, and the Wedding Crashers can have a large fan base but Clerks II can't. It is more accessable than you think. BTW this movie is in no way for kids but there is nothing wrong with an adult comedy.
  
  
• Totally awesome sequel to the original!!!
  By A1X15AQVSCKKRG on 2006-07-26
  There are no better words to say how funny the movie is. It took long enough though after more than ten years sine the first movie came out and the short lived but lovable "Clerks The Animated series" , Clerks II is finally here.
  
  This was a worthy follow up the original and all the characters are back. "Clerks" fans will not be disappointed, this has all the witty and in your face dialogue along with the lovable Randall (my favorite character) along with Dante, and Jay and Silent Bob. New to the movie is Rosario Dawson They could have killed this flick "Clerks II Randall's Revenge" as Jeff Anderson is in this movie in the most and his character really dominates the movie. The sarcastic, and unapologetic Randall is at his best here when he's let loose and he does so in the movie.
  
  The Quick stop is burned to the ground so Randall , Dante and their friend have to work at a fast food joint called the Mooby's (complete with a Moo sound as customers walk in).
  
  One of my favorite scenes had to be Randall confronting the internet millionaire egotist named as Lance Dowds (played by Smith regular Jason Lee now experiencing network success with funny "My Name is Earl"). This scene is wonderful and is full of the crude humor , slacker attitude and irony that makes the "Clerk' franchise so memorable. Smith manages to integrate even a little drama in the film taking into the fact that the characters are trying to grow up or least wake up to the reality that time is passing them by and perhaps it's time for them to be responsible.
  
  This is great funny follow-up to the original. Smith never has lost his audience and he still knows how to bring great comedy to the masses when the time comes.
  
  
  
• Not as dissapointing as I thought it would be
  By A38LZOH4JAMNI9 on 2006-07-26
  This was actually a great sequel to the original clerks. It kinda starts out in black in white just like the original, then like in wizard of oz, continues mostly in colour. The colour comes in when the quick stop is burning down....so yeah with disaster comes colour like in wizard of oz. Randal and Dante are as hysterical as ever. I myself can relate to these guys as I've been in similar job scenarios myself. A couple of new characters, Elias and Dantes female boss whom he's having a fling with (same unmonogamous Dante), were really good and well thought additions to the list of characters already hailed and loved by fans. Jay and Silent Bob are cleaning up so this has potential for some really funny situations. I really thought this would be a sellout like jay and silent bob strikes back but I was really impressed by how the whole movie kept the emotion and feelings of its original counterpart. The only difference was the colour presentation instead of black and white. The end of the movie was hysterical and ends with a most appropriate song "Misery" by Soul Asylum. If you liked the first clerks, I guarantee you'll like this one too!
  
  
• Smith has abandoned us
  By A2HW33PQSRHLNO on 2006-08-12
  I am really astounded at the ooey-gooey reviews of this movie that run down the page. I don't need a repeat viewing to know that "Clerks 2" lacks the power, magic, and acidic/slacker/punk feel of the original. It has nothing to do with being an indie film or not, either: it's just a bad movie. Even my favorite character, the misanthropic, no BS Randall Graves couldn't save it.
  
  
  A disjointed mess of sugary sentimentality (what the hell is that doing in a "Clerks" movie?), plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, and Smith's abandonment of the tight-knit, dark sarcasm of the first film in favor of pure potty mouth "Larry the Cable Guy" type humor make this one an almost unbearable failure.
  
  He rips the anonymous magic away from Randall and Dante and leaves them in meandering, pointless scenes that have potential and then descend into boring vulgarity (for example, when their high school foe dubiously associated with pickles comes in: THAT should have been a great scene and it just sucked). It's as though he's always approaching the part where things getting drop dead sick funny and he just never manages it. Seeing Jay and Silent Bob dance to "ABC" by Michael Jackson was the final nail in the coffin.
  
  This does have a few redeeming factors and scenes (the cementing of Randall and Dante's friendship), but it's meant to be a preview more than a full length movie. I'd just like to forget they ever made this and re-watch the first one.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A1GYMKQG6FP7SN on 2006-11-29
  Is this really the sequel from renowned director/writer Kevin Smith? The acting is sub-par, the plot is weak. Mr Smith bypasses script and acting for gross-out/shock humor. The soundtrack is pathetic... Soul Asylum? I really expected more from the guy who brought us Clerks(1), Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma. If you think "trans-species erotica" is humorous, then this movie is definitely for you. Perhaps I've just grown up since the first movie, but I think I know why Ebert panned the film. Not because of the donkey-sex show, but because this movie is simply, well, terrible. It's almost 2 hours of my life I will never get back.
  
  
• Tired of his schtick
  By AGNVRWP269UP1 on 2006-12-03
  Sigh. He showed such promise with his first film. Why does he keep doing the same thing ad nauseum?
  
  
• WHY OH WHY
  By AE442HVYWLFX0 on 2007-01-20
  why aren't there any people who have brains reviewing this? this movie completely sucked ballz. with each gag going nowhere, and a plot like swiss cheese, this could hardly be called entertaining. what a waste of time and money. don't waste yours, it treally isn't worth it.
  
  
• Clerks 2 is a study in unnecessary sequels
  By A3EOVXI1VZIHUQ on 2007-05-29
  The film opens with Dante and Randall pulling up to the Quick Stop and finding it burning down because Randall left the coffee pot on. Their lives as they know them are over... or are they? A year later they are now working at Mooby's a fast food chain, with their boss, the incredibly out-of-place Rosario Dawson. Dawson does her best to pull it off, but she's just too beautiful to belong in this movie, especially as a love interest for Dante Hicks. Fanboys and Mooby's employees can dream, but it's just too much of a stretch.
  
  What's interesting is that it seems like the $5 million budget for Clerks 2 vs. the $28,000 budget for the original actually ends up negatively affecting the film. With more set pieces and more action, Smith doesn't seem to know what to do with his set. And bringing back Dante and Randall (Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson) for another feature is just too much. He's already squeezed these characters dry of most interesting conversation after the first film, and their deadpan lack of delivery might have worked in a low budget black and white film, but here it's almost painful to listen to. There are still a few funny monologues and moments, but for the most part, Dante and Randall's complaining and bickering just comes off a bit screeching, especially considering that they're now in their thirties.
  
  It seems like Kevin Smith hit a wall with Dogma. After a string of successful, low budget films, maybe Smith ran out of solid ideas, or maybe he just needs to refuel his creative juices. Going back to the well with his original characters the first time for Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back didn't prove very fruitful, so he set out to make some kind of romantic comedy-ish film with Jersey Girl, which flopped terribly, and now we're digging deeper into the well with Clerks 2, Smith's first sequel.
  
  There are two discs, which makes for too much viewing really. There's a documentary about the making of Clerks 2 that's just as long as the movie itself, as well as a thirty minute blooper reel, with a few minutes of Jason Lee flubbing his lines, and showing that he just showed up to film for a few hours as a favor and is ready to get out of there.
  
  Overall, Clerks 2 is an unneeded addition to the View Askew world and the rest of us could have done without it too. It needlessly adds to a story that concluded, and in fact detracts from the original. if you haven't already seen it, I'd recommend staying away, or asking someone that's seen it to tell you which few scenes are watchable and check those out.
  
  
• Won't bring world peace, but a fun time!
  By A4PTUEVFE13K6 on 2006-07-22
  "Clerks 2" won't solve the world's problems, in fact it may create a few more, which is better Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings? Is ATM really wrong? How bad is Transformers? These topics are discussed at length in the film. The plot is pretty simple, it's ten years after the first Clerks movie and things haven't really changed, except the Quick Stop has burned down and Dante & Randall now work at Mooby's. Jay & Silent Bob are back standing outside, Jay does his "Silence Of The Lambs" impression, which will have you wincing, but followed by a laugh. The guys stand around talking about cartoons, movies and sex. It's a fun movie. It reminds me of the conversations my buddies and I get into. If you're going into the movie expecting some life changing experience, forget it. It's not about that, it's just 24 hours in the life of some thirty-somethings. If you've ever been able to relate to Kevin Smith's characters, as I have, you'll like this movie. But if Jay & Silent Bob annoy you, so will this.
  
  
• Better than the original
  By A398Z0ZU011ILU on 2006-08-11
  This is quite possibly one of the funniest movies you'll see all year. It's about two losers who work in a fast food restraunt and all of the wild and crazy antics that follow. It all depends if this kind of humor is up your alley. What more could you ask for. It's funny, vulgar, well written, well acted and just a wonderful film in every way possible. My only advice is to stay away if your easily offended. That R-rating is there for a real reason.
  
  
• The movie was great
  By A2J2O6MEZWII3X on 2006-09-09
  Ok, The movie was great. But how can you honestly write a review talking about how great the special features are on the DVD when the movie just got out of the theaters. I mean how can you honestly rate on it? Is your life that void of valid tasks to fill your day that you feel the need to waste your own time as well as everyone else's that reads your review?
  I plan on buying the movie when it comes out, but not based on some BS review posted months before the DVD even releases.
  
  
• Smith Comes Full Circle
  By A3V5YEY65T37UL on 2006-09-26
  Clerks 2 certainly has its moments. Fans have waited a long time to see a follow-up to Kevin Smith's smash indie hit and its arrival was definitely worth waiting for. Ten years later, the Quick Stop burns down and Dante and Randal find another slacker job at the Mooby's fast food franchise. New characters include responsible and sexy manager Becky, awkward supergeek co-worker Elias, and Dante's questionable fiance Emma. Jay and Silent Bob are back of course, having just finished a stint in rehab and turned their lives over to Jesus. This promising premise however, is not without a few flaws.
  
  The banter between the co-workers is the highlight of the film, conservative Dante still the perfectly opposite companion for outspoken jerk Randal. Memorable dialogues are borne, including those on a particular sexual taboo, messing with the handicapped, the transformers, and a debate of Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings (and that's just the first half). There's also a short dance number and an improved use of camera angles that heighten the intensity of some scenes. Clerks 2 has a similar feel to its predecessor, and obviously if you already like Smith's movies, you'll have little problem with the vulgar content which often make the scenes that much more hilarious. Toward the end, Smith finds a subtle balance between the most tasteless and most touching moments of the film and the conclusion is quite logical. Overall, it's well cast with a few cameos of familiar faces from previous View Askew ventures, and fortunately, none of them steal unwanted screen time like Will Ferrell's character did in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. But even with all this, how well does Clerks 2 compare to Smith's entire body of work?
  
  Smith's efforts have each had their own identity while still keeping his trademark goofiness intact. All of them epitomized the use smart dialogue, had great characterization, and also employed a dramatic element that gave them deeper meaning. One major complaint I have for Clerks 2 is the slapstick aspect that also marred Mallrats. Smith should know by now that his fans have come to expect cleverness instead of forced sight gags that remind us we're watching a movie. Elias trying to run away with his headset on is one example. (On the other hand, Jay's Buffalo Bill moment is very funny.) Secondly, some of the jokes just don't work because they feel incomplete, like Smith indended to add more to the end of a scene and then didn't do it.
  
  Despite these problems, Clerks 2 is good and I'm sure audiences will be quoting and referrencing it for a long time. This being the sixth Jay & Silent Bob movie, I wonder if it might be the last now that the series has come full circle. If so, Clerks 2 is still a fittingly fabulous final installment I highly recommend.
  
  
• i never write reviews....
  By AVAMU6UFRA1SC on 2006-12-08
  but this has got to be one of the worst movies i've ever seen. i like kevin smith flicks...i've seen them all, and i 'get it'. i know what he's trying to do. i love all the usuals and how its all one big 'in' joke. but this is sooo sappy and BORING. there was a few laugh out load moments. but overall its one big boring predictable love story. OH YEA, and the new 'characters'. wow, thats what they came up with. some corny lord of the rings fan, and a semi hot manager. yikes...what a crappy flick. i just couldn't believe how bad it actually was...watch the movie and see for yourself...then you could talk about it on movie poop shoot...
  
  
  
• Kevin Smith is completely Talentless
  By A170JSULJ92O20 on 2007-01-09
  The original clerks had pride of place in my house as the first ever laser disc I had bought, but over the years, Mallrats, Jersey Girl & Jay & Silent Bob had only lowered my opinion of Kevin Smith - so much so that I was reluctant to even watch Clerks II. But I gave it a go thinking maybe this is his comeback film. But Alas No. How over-indulgent and contrived can one wannabe nerd make a film? The thinking is so transparent - Smith starts by once again casting a female lead that he simply has the hots for. We all saw Alexander we know how hot Rosario Dawson is but she just doesn't belong in this film. Much like Shannon doherty in Mallrats. The story is nothing more than a basic structure to handle Smith's diatribes and nerdalogues. If it stayed consistent it might be tolerable but it is trying to tap so many markets at once that it ends up a hode podge of American Pie Gross-out humour (donkey focking was done in the 40 year old virgin), Inside Jokes & for the love of god a ridiculous musical scene. Seriously Smith - What the frik what were you thinking? You've become Jay Leno when you should have become Conan O'Brien.
  
  Lamest film of the year without doubt.
  
  
• Are you people kidding me ?
  By A1J4A9IRKJBYL7 on 2007-02-01
  What a horrible movie ..
  
  I can go on and on about this one but really is it worth it ?
  
  Compared to CLERKS..CLERKS 2 is a horible movie that doesnt even deserve the CLERKS name on it. The first was classic and # 2 is garbage.
  
  Come on people..sure we love kevin smith but really this movie was no where near the classic clerks 1 was.
  
  The onlty part I liked in this movie was the end where they buy the quick mart store it goes black and white and you see the old lady going through the dates on the milk like in part 1...then it was over. So I actually liked about 2 mins of this movie...
  
  Very sad..
  
  You can do better big kev.
  
  
  
• Doesn't hold up to the original 'Clerks'
  By A2PN7Z2VTHICL8 on 2007-04-25
  Dante arrives to work at the Quick Stop to find it burning. After 10 years in a dead-end job, Dante and Randal are forced to find new employment. Clerks II is about their new jobs at Mooby's, a fast food restaurant. Jay and Silent Bob follow them, and are now hanging out at Mooby's too.
  
  Dante is getting ready to leave for Florida with his new fiancé, a shallow girl with a personal problem Randal is quick to point out. Her father is going to pay for their new house and give Dante a carwash to run, so things are looking pretty cozy for Dante. Randal decides to celebrate Dante's departure with a "cross-species erotica show".
  
  Will Dante actually leave New Jersey for Florida? Will he leave best friend Randal behind? Or is there actually something left in New Jersey to hold him there?
  
  The charm in this movie is in the dialogue alone, plus the fact that they managed to get hottie Rosario Dawson to play Becky, Mooby's manager and Dante's good friend. The first 'Clerks' had the charm of black-and-white photography, and although made on a lower budget managed to keep a tighter rein on the storyline while appearing as if the entire movie was shot through a surveillance camera. 'Clerks II' is filmed in color, and lacks the charm of the first movie.
  
  Interesting notes of the movie is the dialogue during the argument over Lord Of The Rings vs. Star Wars, plus the crazy scene with Randal's "going away gift". There are foul words and $exual references and a lot of cynical pottie mouths, but that's what 'Clerks' is all about. Unfortunately, other than Jay and Silent Bob, the cast didn't hold up well to the passing of time and lost a great deal of their charm. However, this movie is still funny, earning three and a half stars, but can't hold a candle to the first 'Clerks'. Enjoy!
  
  
  
• Clerks II is downright funny!
  By A3UU4ENJ4GXNI8 on 2006-07-06
  I've seen it twice and I laughed just as much the second time as I did the first time. Kevin Smith is a comic genius. A must see.
  
  

• Clerks (Collector's Series)
• Mallrats (Collector's Edition)
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Dimension Collector's Series)
• Lucky Number Slevin (Widescreen Edition)
• Dogma (Special Edition)