Danielle Solzman
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot assembles a star-studded cast in a film that isn’t afraid to get emotional while also pointing fun at reboots.
Shortly after the film starts, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) learn that Saban Films owns the rights to their names. A quick stop to Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee)’s comic shop and the two learn more about the Bluntman V Chronic reboot being directed by Kevin Smith. Because an important scene is taking place at the upcoming Chronic Con, the two make their way to Hollywood. There’s a pit stop along the way in Chicago, where Jay reunites with Justice Falcon (Shannon Elizabeth).
It’s in Chicago where Jay is forced to grow up a bit. As luck would have it, Jay is also a father to Millennium “Millie” Falcon (Harley Quinn Smith). Millie has her own girl gang. This also lends the film the needed youth and diversity for a reboot. Because the film is more or less a reboot, the gang joins them en route to Chronic Con. While some of the cameos are blink and you miss it, there’s an extended scene with Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck)–thank you, Kevin McCarthy! There is no shortage of jokes at Affleck’s expense. Argo, Justice League, Batman, you name it.
If you haven’t seen Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back in some time, this film is basically the same. There are some changes, of course. The first film saw the duo wanting to get royalties from the Bluntman and Chronic film starring Jason Biggs and James Van Der Beek. This one sees them making the trip to Chronic Con to stop Bluntman V Chronic. In classic reboot fashion, one of the characters in the reboot is a different gender. If you appreciate the Kevin Smith brand of humor, this film will be up your alley. Personally, I could not stop laughing especially with all the pop culture humor.
Kevin Smith almost died a few years ago. The entire world ought to be thankful because the filmmaker still had something he needed to say. This may have required him to gather so many cast members from previous films but hey, this kind of goes without saying. Of course, Smith is no stranger to casting his own daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, in films. In this case, she plays a large role in the film’s emotional arc. Throw in Smith playing double roles–including himself–and there’s no shortage of material that plays on this.
When it comes to the idea of reboots, they tend to always feature the same thing: youth and diversity. Leave it to comic shop owner Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee) to deliver the important commentary about reboots. Smith’s screenplay is very meta here so the pop culture references are not in short supply. There are a handful depicted in the trailer including Silent Bob becoming the Iron Man-esque Metal Man. The references are one of the reasons why so many of the jokes manage to work.
Please stay for the credits! The film has scenes throughout the credits. More importantly, there is a cameo at the end of the film featuring Stan Lee.
Much in the same way that Avengers: Endgame closes a door, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot closes a door while leaving the door open for a new story. More importantly, will this be the reboot that ends all reboots?
DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Kevin Smith
CAST: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Harley Quinn Smith
