Greatest Hits, True Bromance
Despite having grown up with the gross out boys, I’ve never really been a fan of Jackass. I’ve seen most of the films largely against my will, and have never once sat down and watched an entire episode all the way through. I am very much a product of the MTV generation but never bought what they were selling, so admittedly I’m not the target audience to say goodbye to a crew I didn’t say hello to in the first place. I actually think that works in favor of Jackass: Best and Last; I have no frame of reference for what’s best and can celebrate the last in any capacity – good or bad.
Surprisingly, my lack of love for Jackass actually made this last entry more accessible and more enjoyable, the overabundance of scatological humor not withstanding. Jackass: Best and Last plays like a jukebox musical of greatest hits for dick punching, more of a trip down memory lane than engaging new content or stunts. Yet despite the dong punishment and butt stuff – lots and lots of dong and butt stuff – there’s an emotional element of true bromance and sweetness that shines through more than any of the previous entries. Something clicks when you realize they aren’t asking us to say goodbye to them, they’re saying goodbye to themselves.
There’s No Malice in The Pain They Inflict
I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I was actually getting moved by the raw vulnerability displayed by some of the OG cast members. Johnny Knoxville physically can’t do the things that have been apart of his life for 25 years now, leaving him to play sadistic host more than a participatory masochist. But watching him get choked up about it all as they travel down memory lane is shockingly affecting. He’s not sad because he can’t get run over by bulls or shot out of rockets. He’s sad because he has to say goodbye to his friends, the REAL cornerstone of Jackass.
Beneath all the things Steve-O puts up his rectum or all dick swings Chris Pontius hits us with and all the concussions they’ve given to each other over the years, Jackass: Best and Last puts the joy of hanging out with your friends front and center. I know this has been present in all of them, but it feels like a primary theme in this send off more than any of the previous entries. You can just feel how much these dudes love being around each other, how important friendship and loyalty and dude love is to each and every one of them. There’s no malice in the pain they inflict on each other; it’s all love all the time and you can see it clearly in Jackass: Best and Last.
The New Stuff Struggles, But the Hits Keeping Hitting
The new stuff feels a little desperate, the guys trying hard to do one last big one before they ride off into the sunset. Unfortunately, nothing will ever compare to their highs and moments we remember the most. Jackass: Best and Last is at its best when its Chris, Johnny and Steve-O reflecting on their personal good times, providing insight on their state of mind and what they wanted to accomplish. They dig deep into the archives and show us some never before seen stunts from their early days. It’s quite hilarious, and honestly better than anything the new cast attempts.
Honestly, Jackass: Best and Last would work better as a documentary, skipping the new cast and stunts and just leaving us all to stroll down memory lane with our favorite doofuses. Maybe as a fan that’s not what the people want, but as a non fan Jackass worked for the first time for me. The somber fun farewell gives the nauseating stunts some heart amid the eye covers and raucous laughter. I did laugh and I did get a little teary eyed by the end, but Jackass: Best and Last is still very much a Jackass film so even for all my positive critiques of what it does well, it’s still not for me.
Final Thoughts
All in all I’m glad I got to experience Jackass: Best and Last. I never want to watch it again, and I can’t truly say they’ll be missed – at least not by me. But it is something to special to share in, watching these guys who spent their lives creating lifelong friendships and indestructible bonds say goodbye to the things that brought them together.
Those things may be dick shots and covered in shit, but hey, there’s nothing quite like finding your people.
