Jackass – The Box Set
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Episodes: C+
Yes, Jackass is a hit, the kind of hit that polite
society does not want to see, but a hit nonetheless. Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and company have created the kind of
show that gives total proof that a band like DEVO may just be correct about
where civilization is sadly going, but enough people are laughing at it to keep
it going. Jackass – The Box Set
collects three volumes of the insanity, including the “lost” moments of the
first volume fans are rejoicing about.
The gang has spend ours of painstaking ways to find
themselves in great pain, doing the dumbed, most dangerous stunts and other
extremely unwise “gags” they could come up with. The thing that struck me is that they are not in any contest and
could not possibly be getting paid enough to do this craziness. I was at least as amused by the (obviously
lawyer-ordered) legal disclaimers all over every piece of the packaging, often
including their special cross-skulls/crutches logo. I have to admit, a few of these segments are funny and there are
some unintentionally funny moments and non-fan like this critic could find
throughout. However, this is a ton of
content of the same kind of think, so only fans should apply. As for the “performers” and the moral dilemma
of whether to applaud them or not, I would instead congratulate them for
actually one achievement they may not be aware of: undermining the entire phony
“reality TV” cycle. Maybe that is not
“hip” enough to do, though. They are at
least children of Beavis & Butt-Head.
The 1.33 X 1 image was shot throughout on professional
analog NTSC video and is pretty consistent throughout. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no real
surrounds and is raw location sound to go with the raw stunts. A bonus DVD is included that features
stills, an abduction, Video Music Award appearances, gumball rally commentary
and even an appearance on MTV’s Cribs series, while the box also comes
with a nicely illustrated booklet in high quality paper stock and good color
quality to boot. Even if you cannot
stand the show, you have to admit, this box is very thorough.
- Nicholas Sheffo
