Hi, Bryan Here….

‘Jackass‘ is back, well sort of. Johnny Knoxville has teamed with the filmmakers of all the ‘Jackass’ films including director Jeff Tremaine to make a film centered on Knoxville’s character, Irving Zisman, an elderly man who steals, curses, fools real people into thinking he has harmed himself by doing a variety of stunts and gags. Not to mention showing off his 12 inch sagging scrotum to anyone who walks by. Mixing in a narrative story with real stunts with real people and their real reactions, ‘Bad Grandpa‘ is a ‘Borat‘ film with the ‘Jackass‘ brand. And man, does it work. I haven’t laughed so hard since the beginning of summer in a movie theater.

What works so well here is Knoxville and Nicoll’s chemistry. Nicoll is far advanced from his actual age here as he can keep up with Knoxville and his antics and improvisations on his own. He is such a cute kid and is genuinely funny throughout. As for Knoxville, he amps up his Irving character to eleven and never holds back. I was not too sure about making a film about this character, but I was pleasantly surprised on how well and funny it turned out. For those of you who don’t want to see something gross and painful, like the usual ‘Jackass’ stunts, you might want to check this hilarious comedy out, because I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Billy and Irving. If you are looking to laugh your ass off any time soon, be sure to check out ‘Bad Grandpa‘, I know I will again.

 4/5 STARS

-Bryan Kluger