Unlucky me naively hadn't even heard about its cult existence until a year ago (where had I been hiding?!) at the start of 2002, but soon caught up-to-speed courtesy of a mate who had recorded the show religiously since inception.
This movie is literally an extended version of the show that's taken MTV by storm, and steadfast controversy. My youngest brother, likewise a hardcore fan, was dying to see this movie - but if he saw a toy car being anally-inserted for a laugh then he'd have been emotionally damaged for good, so thank God I didn't take him!
If you ain't seen or heard of the 'Jackass' phenomenon before, it's basically a group of mad mates tear-assing across the bright and breezy USA performing outrageous stunts. Hell, you may have seen the UK's attempt at latching onto the same crazy idea with 'Don't Try This At Home.' Similar vein, but obviously not as stupid or dumb as the American version.
For all the sights of certifiable nut-case Steve-O launching fireworks from where the sun doesn't shine but where ember fall-out might burn, almost getting his testicles twice-removed by huge whale-sharks when he goes for a swim and getting-off on having his arm tattooed while being driven top-speed round a bumpy dust-track in a military vehicle (driven by singer Henry Rollins no less), the guys are still at their funniest when the comedy isn't sick but sublime.
Y'know, mainman Johnny Knoxville and crew are genuinely piss-funny without the laddish pranks. If you like our own Dom Joly's off-beat 'Trigger Happy TV,' just wait till you get a load of the Jack-assers made-up to be OAPs going round shoplifting and racing buggies in original moments of comic genius.
As for 'Golf-course Air-horn' (which has Knoxville in a golf course's scrub blowing his horn just as seasoned golfers are a milli-second from launching their balls so making cause for them to crap themselves!) and a lethal trampoline jump into a rotating ceiling fan, the threat that you will laugh till you cry is very, very real�
Just don't be stupid and copy anything they do. Unless a deathwish you have.
(STEVE RUDD)