I'm not usually a fan of slapstick... but sometimes, the puerile side just has to be released! The premise sounds pretty lame... BUT!
This movie works on several levels: First, the guilty pleasure that you just have to take in the perfect timing of all the movie's physical comedy. It's like watching old chuck-jones cartoons (an idea that I think Smith toyed with in Mallrats, with Jay's 'Wile E. Coyote' style blueprints, and outrageous plans to destroy a stage)... Not just because of the perfect timing in every gag... but also, because of the inspired acting by Mewes and (particularly) smith.
Secondly, the endless cameos by stars of the other view-askew movies, and other famous friends... Trying to spot them all was pretty good fun in itself... Admittedly more for fans than laymen, as the references to Smith's previous work came thick and fast, at worst, raising a smile, at best a smug giggle. The references to other cult movies and directors, and indeed more mainstream pop-culture institutions were also pretty good fun!
Thirdly, it had a monkey. Audiences love monkeys (or rather, apes... a fact made clear by "any which way but loose"!) Oh, and plenty of gratuitous ass, and indeed profanity.
All in all a formula which has delighted the viewing public on so many previous occasions (south park being a perfect example), that with smith behind the wheel, it couldn't have gone wrong! Go and see it... but don't expect any intelligent observations on the state of the nation. This is just a laugh... and doesn't pretend to be anything else.
This movie works on several levels: First, the guilty pleasure that you just have to take in the perfect timing of all the movie's physical comedy. It's like watching old chuck-jones cartoons (an idea that I think Smith toyed with in Mallrats, with Jay's 'Wile E. Coyote' style blueprints, and outrageous plans to destroy a stage)... Not just because of the perfect timing in every gag... but also, because of the inspired acting by Mewes and (particularly) smith.
Secondly, the endless cameos by stars of the other view-askew movies, and other famous friends... Trying to spot them all was pretty good fun in itself... Admittedly more for fans than laymen, as the references to Smith's previous work came thick and fast, at worst, raising a smile, at best a smug giggle. The references to other cult movies and directors, and indeed more mainstream pop-culture institutions were also pretty good fun!
Thirdly, it had a monkey. Audiences love monkeys (or rather, apes... a fact made clear by "any which way but loose"!) Oh, and plenty of gratuitous ass, and indeed profanity.
All in all a formula which has delighted the viewing public on so many previous occasions (south park being a perfect example), that with smith behind the wheel, it couldn't have gone wrong! Go and see it... but don't expect any intelligent observations on the state of the nation. This is just a laugh... and doesn't pretend to be anything else.