‘Jackass’ is back with ‘Number Two’

Emily Triebwasser

Two weeks ago, I ventured into Philadelphia with a nervous disposition and a massive pack of butterflies flying around my stomach for one simple reason: I was about to meet Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera to discuss their new movie, “Jackass Number Two.” I met the agency representative in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel (only the best for celebrities), introduced myself to the six other college journalists who would be interviewing with me, and then we all made our way up to a suite and waited for the stars to arrive.

Looking around, the room was beautifully decorated, had a great view of Philly out the bay window and had a table set up with fresh fruit and chocolate-covered strawberries: very high-profile. And then in walked Johnny and Bam. Dressed in signature outfits, Johnny in his famous aviators and Bam donning heavy purple combat boots, the guys made their way to the couch on my right.

After exchanging greetings, I couldn’t help but notice the scars and bruises on each of their bodies, no doubt ramifications of the “Jackass” empire that has made them household names.

We don’t care what critics say about what we do,” Johnny asserted, “They take everything way too seriously … this is not a serious movie.” On that note, rather than discuss “Jackass Number Two” in terms of cinematic merit (because, quite frankly, there is none), I’m going to critique this film on the basis of its entertainment factor alone. Any movie that can make audiences laugh until it hurts, cringe in fear and stand up in a round of applause is, in my opinion, one entertaining movie.

A word of caution: there are certain scenes that are grotesque and difficult to watch (namely a certain scene involving a horse), so you should only see this movie if you have the stomach for it, which most college students do.

While the first “Jackass” movie included playing practical jokes on strangers, “Jackass Number Two” ran into too many issues to do so again. “People recognize us now that our popularity has gone up,” Bam said.

“‘Number Two’ has less pranks against Joe Public, more sabotage to the cast and more of Knoxville dressed up as an old man.” “Sabotage to the cast” is an understatement. The audience witnesses a human branding, a few attacks by an angry bull, the guys being chased by a stampede of cattle, an unsanitary fake beard, guys getting locked in a car full of bees and a few cast members getting shot with rubber pellets. In their own original genre, they are simply the best at what they do; getting hurt on camera. With bigger risks, more injuries and, for some reason, more snakes, “Jackass Number Two” puts the original “Jackass” to shame.

“If we do a third movie, we’ll probably die,” said Bam. “So we really wanted to go above and beyond on this one.”

There you go, Villanova. Enjoy “Jackass Number Two” (if you dare) because there won’t be any more films like it. Ever again.

And please, trust their warning: “The stunts in this movie were performed by professionals, so neither you nor your dumb little buddies should attempt anything from this movie.”