Twelve years after Clerks, Kevin Smith is back at it with Clerks II. Like Smith, Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randall Graves (Jeff Anderson) are back again, but this time, after the destruction of the Quick Stop, the lifetime clowns have found a new job. Their new place of employment is Mooby’s, home of the Egg A Mooby Muffin, and while things have been going swimmingly for the two friends, Dante is about to leave his post and move down to Florida to be with his fiancé, Emma (Jennifer Schwalbach Smith). Of course, like Dante and Randall always do, they find themselves in all sorts of trouble.
Smith strays further and further away from what made films like Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy successful. He nearly abandons the deepness and seemingly his integrity by altering his own way of thinking and producing something that feels entirely new in regard to the Askewniverse. Something feels lost in translation as Clerks II doesn’t resonate with viewers the way the original film did. The raunchy comedy remains clearer than ever, but the existential nature that I’ve absolutely fallen in love with feels absent, and Clerks II manages, at times, to feel something like a chick flick. The unexpected and unnecessary switch in tone and writing style leaves Clerks II open to criticism, and it’s well deserved. I can’t fathom a reason as to why Smith would desert what has worked so well in the past for something more mushy and cookie cutter than ever before. As an overall film, this installment of the Askewniverse is a dud, but, luckily for Smith, there are aspects of the film that appeal to viewers and keep Clerks II from completely failing.
Fans of Smith and his slew of characters adore what the overnight sensation has been able to accomplish throughout the course of his Hollywood career, and, because of that, they are able to overlook whatever shortcomings might befall his projects. With some of the best acting performances in the series, O’Halloran, Anderson, and series newcomer Rosario Dawson (Becky) provide solid performances, as good as any in the Askewniverse. Their plights resonate with viewers and allow them to appreciate, even in the absence of Smith’s true genius, what transpires throughout Clerks II. The connection that each of the characters has with one another is inspiring, and allows the film to transition from scene to scene in the smoothest possible fashion.
As the film comes to a close and the reality of what Randall and Dante have been working toward becomes clear, even without their knowledge, viewers are brought back to Clerks, where everything began a decade ago in their time (and twelve years in the real world). The major call back to where it all started makes the entirety of Clerks II worth the watch. Smith fails to live up to the beautifully written and directed films of his past with this installment, but his constant nods to the previous films and the picture perfect ending permit his failures throughout the film. Clerks II is far from Smith’s most entertaining film, but it has its moments of glory.
Written & Directed by Kevin Smith.
Starring Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Trevor Fehrman, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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