After more than a decade Johnny Knoxville returns with his extreme daredevil stunt team for (allegedly) one final outing – and the hiatus seems to have done them good.
There’s virtually no Bam Margera – who was fired from the series and only appears in one scene – the late Ryan Dunn (who died in 2011), and Chris Pontius takes somewhat of a ‘back seat’ – but fortunately there’s enough old guard, mixed with new, to make this fourth instalment feel bizarrely ‘fresh’.
Steve-O, Dave England, Wee Man and Preston Lacy are all ably assisted by new faces such as Poopies, Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolson and Jasper Dolphin, but it’s definitely Danger Ehren who turns into the movie’s MVP by tackling the most painfully slapstick moments – headlined by the ‘athletic cup’ test.
Yes, that’s just one of many scrotum-based hi-jinks – including Lacy’s testicles being used as a punch bag – but it’s delivered in such a way that it takes you back to the series hey-day of the early noughties.
And in the current climate, a welcome walk down adolescent ‘memory lane’.
Holmes gliding into a bed of cactuses, Steve-O’s penis being used as a beehive, Wee Man enduring the ‘ultimate wedgie’, England getting pig semen dumped on him and Wolson receiving ‘scorpion botox’, all show the franchise hasn’t missed a beat to provide hefty helpings of ‘shock and awe’ – with some inspired pranking.
And it all starts with one massive ‘Godzilla-esque’ grand movie opening that sees Pontius’ penis painted green to depict a monster – as explosions involving the cast pay homage to this kaiju-inspired set piece.
This really sets the scene throughout, and it never drops below grossly entertaining – despite an over reliance on genitalia-inspired tomfoolery.
And Knoxville doesn’t miss out on the action after being tossed by a bull with dangerous consequences – prior to the ‘Vomitron’ high-speed carousel finale.
Fortunately, Forever doesn’t come across as ‘forced’ or ‘padded’ – which parts of two and three did – and if it is the gang’s final ever movie, was a very noteworthy addition to the series canon. In fact coincidentally, Knoxville also gets fired out of a cannon for the ‘Flight of Icarus’ stunt.
Jackass Forever. Ryan Dunn Forever. Thanks for the memories, guys.
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Gavin Miller
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Danger Ehren, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Dave England, Preston Lacy, Jasper Dolphin, Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolson & Sean ‘Poopies’ Mcinerney
Running Time: 1 Hr 36 Mins
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux
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