Clerks 2: The Passion of the Clerks

I've been hearing a lot over the last few years that fewer people are going out to the movies. If that is the case, I'd hate to see our local Cinemagic Theater in a booming movie-viewing market on a Friday night. The normally cavernous lobby was literally wall-to-wall people last night. Maybe they're doing so well because of the stadium seating, and easy location right off a highway exit. Or, maybe the movie theater owners are conspiring with the news media people to make us all feel sorry for them and get our lazy butts off our couches and into their $8.50 a pop seats. Probably not, on the later. But this is a blog, so it doesn't hurt to have a conspiracy theory.

Last night, we braved the crowds for the 7p.m. show of "Clerks 2". We are huge fans of director Kevin Smith, also known on screen as Silent Bob. The viewing theater was less than a third full, but everyone there was like us in their appreciation of Kevin Smith. Meanwhile, "Lady in the Water" was sold out (we'll be seeing that on Sunday).

"Clerks 2" is not just a rehashing of "Clerks". It's ten years later and the main characters from the original film, Dante and Randall, are still working their minimum wage retail jobs at the convenience store(s). As the film opens, Dante arrives at the store and opens the metal shutters to discover that the store is engulfed in flames. Dante and Randall, attached at the hip, find new jobs at Mooby's, the mock chain fast-food joint in Smith's flicks. We begin to have hope that Dante is about to turn his loser life around when we find out that he's gotten engaged to a hot rich chick and is moving with her to Florida where he'll be managing one of her father's car washes. What is poor Randall to do without Dante to balance his ascerbic view of life?

Well, like the first "Clerks", there are two women in Dante's life, and he is again about to change his life for the wrong one. Also, like the first flick, there are lots of people for Randall to insult, including their fellow Mooby's inmate, born-again Xtian Elias. Elias actually turns into a very sympathetic, if wholy silly, character by the end. And, this wouldn't be a Smith film if a few well known actor friends of his didn't show up, even if briefly (say 'hi' to Ben Affleck and Jason Lee).

Jay and Silent Bob are still drug dealers, but they've been through rehab and found Jesus. Really!!! And, we are treated to a few disturbing images of Jay's anatomy and semi-erotic behavior. While Silent Bob, as usual, barely speaks, Kevin Smith's physical acting is fantastic. He says more with his expressions than Jay says with his incessant mouth. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy Jason Mewes as Jay. But, I've seen him just being Jason Mewes, and Jay isn't a real acting reach for him. (grin)

Overall, if you enjoy Kevin Smith's films, you will LOVE "Clerks 2". If you haven't seen the first one, you won't get the second one on the same level, and you'll probably find it a mediocre movie. The themes of friendship, love, and finding out who you really want to be are well executed, without being at all preachy. Everyone in our viewing theater had a blast. There was a lot of out loud laughing and spontaneous clapping. At the end the entire audience clapped boisterously. How often do you get that in a movie?

Oh, the alluded to subtitle "The Passion of the Clerks"? It was a working subtitle. I'm glad Smith didn't use it in his marketing campaigns for the film. However, I love it just the same. Very appropriate!

Update: See the trailer!