Australian Penthouse

JACKASS 3D

Director: Jeff Tremaine
Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Ehren McGhehey, Dave England
Paramount

What is it about slapstick, or in this case, grievous bodily harm that is so damned intoxicating and mesmerising?

It’s what has kept Australia’s Funniest Home Videos on the air for years longer than it warranted, and turned a bunch of mates with a penchant for pranks and no concern for their own (or others’) wellbeing into a cultural phenomenon.

Formed through the conglomeration of CKY (Camp Kill Yourself, featuring Bam Margera and Ryan Dunn) and Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine, Jackass the series concentrated on ridiculous and often painful stunts performed by the cast. Regulars Steve-O, Chris Pontius and Wee Man had bit parts in earlier incarnations, and soon became essential components of the team. When producer/director Jeff Tremaine’s close buddy Spike Jonze jumped on board, they at last had the final piece of the puzzle.

Spawning several seasons and movies, as will as countless spin-off series, the crews’ stars seemed on the rise, with Hollywood beckoning Knoxville in particular, but the bubble burst several years ago. With the exception of pro skater Bam Margera, most of the team fell into obscurity… until now. It would be easy to scoff and discount Jackass 3D as a grab for lost glory, or a promotion for Margera’s new TV show, Bam’s World Domination, but that is hardly the case.

It has been many years since I’ve laughed, cried, winced, turned away in disgust or bellowed quite as vehemently and loudly. The crew’s trademark is showing all the failed stunt attempts before eventual success, building the tension and allowing the audience to heartily laugh at their misfortune.

Certain stunts are guaranteed to be painful, like the prison break skit, where a tyre obstacle course is set with hurdles and at least a dozen live swinging tasers and cattle prods. Watching the lads grimace and man up before launching into a world of hurt is its own reward and never gets old. Every other skit follows suit and can be broken down into the Good, the Bam and the Ugly.

The Good. From the opening with a giant hand descending on unsuspecting cast members “high fiving” them into unconsciousness, to the Wee Man led midget bar fight, complete with midget police and paramedics, there is some comedic gold to be mined. Dentistry is broached using a Lamborghini to remove a tooth tethered by floss, Pontius uses his manhood as a baseball bat, connects with a mini baseball and is almost caught by Bam, there’s a tetherball match with a twist, the ball is filled with bees and a teeball to the groin with fairly predictable results.

These are just teasers, though. The piece de resistance is Dunn re-enacting the Maxwell “Blown Away By His Speakers Guy” 1980 TV commercial, in the same pose, bracing himself behind a real live aeroplane engine at full tilt. Amazing!

The Bam. Ever the prankster, some of the best moments come at Bam’s hand, and expense. He super-glues his hands to both Preston and his Dad’s hairy chests and then proceeds to give them a more than painful waxing. The impromptu buzz cut from the first Jackass movie has been replaced with a slow-motion homage to Rocky.

Bam sneaks up on a unsuspecting individual, throws water in their face from the left, and as they flinch and turn to the right, delivers a boxing gloved heavy hit for the KO. The crew then turn the tables, setting Bam up and dropping him into a snake pit. Watching Bam wince, squeal and cry, yes cry, in absolute terror is almost worth the price of admission alone.

The Ugly. It’s not all peaches and cream, though. The vulgarity returns with a vengeance. Whether its Steve-O (and it usually is) drinking a cocktail made from Preston’s body sweat, a talented chap using his keyster to power a dart gun, Knoxville in old man make-up cavorting with his supposed “granddaughter” to abject disgust, or Preston feeding a pig an apple from his rectum, you’ll laugh and retch at the same time, but Steve-O’s finale really takes the cake. In a filled Port-a-potty attached to bungie cords, Steve-O takes a trip sky high in one of the most disgusting skits this reviewer has ever seen.

Mention must be made of the so-called “3D experience”, which is window dressing for the most part. There are some genuine 3D shot scenes, but it hardly warrants the glasses and is just another example of the failure of this overused and underutilised technology.

Jackass 3D is absolutely hilarious. Those with weak constitutions should stay far away, but if you’re after a laugh and a half at some puerile, sheer idiocy, you could do a lot worse than checking this one out. Hold on tight, grit your teeth and enjoy the ride.

Jackass 3D opens nationally November 4.

Review: Dave Kozicki