Mallrats

After Clerks, Kevin Smith was given a budget by Universal Studios and the result is a nice piece of cinematic work. Smith's movies are never about visuals, camera chases or action sequences, but they are about dialogue and character(s) and here they both come in droves.

Both Jay's and Silent Bob's roles are increased from Clerks and Ben Affleck turns in a good performance as a real sleazeball, which oddly suits him well. Shannen Doherty is wonderful and we get a glimpse of what is to come in Chasing Amy by Joey Lauren Adams. And then there is Jason Lee. As one of the most lovable losers in film history, he is always spot on when his verbal jabs slowly increase into a series of controlled outbursts and finally into uncontrollable ranting and raving.

The bigger budget of Mallrats is evident in increased number of sets (Clerks basically had two, the Quick Stop interior and exterior). But that's missing the point. The real key in this film is the apparent coming together of Smith's Viewaskewniverse. While pop culture references are still thrown around in abundance (look out for the Stan Lee cameo), Mallrats is influental in both self-referencing and establishing future storylines and events in Smith's movies. And there is a lot to follow up later on.

Kevin Smith's work surely divides audiences -- the foul language alone puts off many people and they eventually tune out all of Smith's work. The humor which rarely leaves the area between the belly button and upper thighs (well, it sometimes strays to the chest area, too) can be perceived one-dimensional, but that is also missing the point. Juvenile characters do and speak juvenile things, both on film and in real life.

In its core Mallrats is still a love story and a great one at that.

The second full length film and first colour film from Kevin Smith. There are references to character and parts of the clerks story line in this comic based adventure. A cameo from Stan Lee and the feature of the very funny Jay and Silent Bob make this film a must addition to anyones collection. A very funny day long adventure with rediculously silly twists makes this a very memorable film.

Mallrats was the much hyped second feature by Smith, after the ground breaking Clerks. At the time critics hailed it as a huge disappointment, but that was then, and this is now. Actually the film has aged vey well, and although not as good as Clerks, it still is a very funny movie, with some outstanding foul mouthed diologue. The cast are good as the plot revolves around one eventful day in a shopping mall. But this is Jay and Silent Bobs movie, and as usual the steal the show, with a much bigger role than in there first outing. The thing about Kevin Smith films is that he can write well observed situations and characters, and no matter how funny or crude the situation the characters always have a heart, making them very real, so the viewer can relate to them.
As always with Kevin Smith movies, if loath them avoid this like the plague. But if your a fan then this is a must buy!

The film that followed clerks and the one kevin smith hates the most, mallrats is awesome. Truly hilarious. and also, is Jason Lee's first ever acting role, and also brings Ben Affleck, also, to the View Askew fold.

This is the funniest Kevin Smith movie ever made, underated, but the best! Jason Lee is hilarious. I can't pick a best part of the movie as it is all so funny.

I wish my mall was as funny as this!