Review of Clerks II

Movie #46 - Clerks II

So, just like Bad Boys II, I'm not exactly sure why we own Clerks II and not Clerks. That will need to change because Clerks is a great movie.

Clerks II continues to follow the shenanigans of Randal and Dante. In the beginning of this movie, the Quick Stop burns down because Randal left the coffee pot on again. They not only lose the business, but their jobs as well. They start working at a fast food restaurant called Mooby's. There we are introduced to two new characters, Elias and Becky. Becky is their boss, and Elias is a 19-year-old nerd who works with Randal and Dante. Dante is engaged, and the film takes place the day before he and his fiancee move to Florida. It challenges Randal and Dante's friendship and makes Dante evaluate what matters most in his life. Throughout the movie, we find out that Dante isn't happy with his decision to marry Emma and move to Florida. We also find out that he had a one-night stand with Becky, and she's now pregnant with his child. Dante and Becky confess their true feelings to each other, and Dante decides to stay in New Jersey and leave Emma. Even though there are crazy antics from the forever hilarious Jay and Silent Bob, and a few poor choices from Randal, the movie really has a great message to it - don't do something because you feel like you have to; do what makes you happy. Dante and Randal get a loan from Jay and Silent Bob, and they re-open the Quick Stop. Segue into a Clerks III? I think so. Kevin Smith is already in talks to write the third film...it's supposedly going to be the last film he ever writes/directs EVER. Noooooooooooooo. Say it isn't so, Kevin. Your genius must never stop making films!

Clerks II is hilarious. Even though the humor is gross, as it is with all Kevin Smith's films, it's still 100% laugh out loud funny. I really enjoy the addition of Trevor Fehrman as Elias. He's a riot. The speech about Pillow Pants and why he can't sleep with his girlfriend is not only the most inventive story I have ever heard, but it's super hilarious as well. I love how they capture the nerdiness and naivety of a teenager in one character. Elias is a huge Transformers and Lord of the Rings geek, and he is quite obviously a virgin. Randal tries his hardest to actually be nice to this kid, but Elias gives Randal things to make fun of him on a silver platter. Take this clip, for example - which is BTW my EXACT feelings on the Lord of the Rings movies.

Warning: Super vulgar language in this clip

Overall, the movie is great for fans of Kevin Smith. There are several cameos by actors who have been in ALL of Smith's films, so it's great to recognize them and be able to recall the characters they played when they show up on screen. Examples: Jason Lee and Ben Affleck.

Fifteen bucks, little man, put the sh*t in my hand.

I give Clerks II 3 out of 5 stars.