Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

Reviews from the Dark Side presents
    Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
Released 10/25/13, now in theaters

What do you get when you put Johnny Knoxville in old man makeup, add a scandalous young boy as his traveling companion, and allow the two to pull some of the most outrageous pranks on an unsuspecting public?  You get the latest installment from the Jackass film franchise, Bad Grandpa.  Yes, Knoxville is back pulling his usual shenanigans with his usual utter lack of taste as 86-year old Irving Zisman.  Knoxville also co-directed. 

The film follows Zisman "mourning" the death of wife in the beginning.  And, mourning, for Irving, means trying to find the first female on two legs who will engage in carnal acts with him.  His newfound freedom is cramped when he is forced into caring for his young grandson, Billy (Jackson Nicoll).  It seems Irving's daughter has gotten herself into some hot water and is on her way to jail (again).  But, as Irving sees his grandson as woman repellant, he's eager to hand him off to his slacker, good-for-nothing father in North Carolina.  Billy's father doesn't want the responsibility either until he is erroneously convinced by one of his pothead friends that the boy could be worth money in government subsidies.  Irving, however, must take Billy to his father, so the two go on a cross-country road trip(with Irving's dead wife in the trunk-don't ask).  Along the way, both pull hidden camera pranks galore on everyone unfortunate enough to cross their paths from convenience store personnel to the audience of a pre-teen beauty pageant. 

What struck me about this movie aside from actually having a (very) loose plot, is that it attempts to have a heart among all of the crass silliness.  Irving and Billy bond, albeit in a stupid, juvenile way.  It's actually kind of sweet if you can look past the pranks. 

As for the pranks, you either like this kind of humor or you don't.  And I liked Bad Grandpa a lot.  It reminded me of the brilliant Borat much more than the Jackass movies.  Sorry, Jackass fans.  While I thought there were some funny segments in those films, it was pretty much a contest who could get smacked in the crotch the hardest.  Bad Grandpa revels unflinchingly in its crudeness and makes no apology. 

In addition to Knoxville who is brilliant as the perverted, unscrupulous Zisman, Jackson Nicoll is every bit his equal as Billy.  This kid is not the innocent cherub he appears to be.  He has some great lines and proves he doesn't need Knoxville in the scene with him to turn it into comedy gold. 

If you're looking for a good laugh, you can't do much better at this time of the year than Bad Grandpa.  Again, be warned.  If you are not familiar with Knoxville's brand of humor, you could be in for a rude awakening.  But, if you like your laughs a little on the twisted side, this is your kind of movie.

The Dark Lord of the Sith says:


**** stars

Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.