It’s pretty rare that we see a movie in theaters, let alone in first run. We simply had to watch Jackass:3d and Nitro Circus, so in the same vein, we had to contribute to the delinquency of Dickhouse Productions this time around.
My expectations of Bad Grandpa were pretty high, but I have to say, it delivered.
If you were expecting pranks mixed with a plot more clever and well-jointed than Borat, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re looking for at-large pranks better than Bruno, you’re going to be pretty damn happy.
Johnny Knoxville and his incorrigibly brilliant sidekick “Billy” (played by 8-9 year old Jackson Nicoll,) setup every impossible scenario and make every unsuspecting sucker they encounter suffer for having the bad luck to encounter them.
The plot is weak, weak, weak, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is a Jackass Presents movie, and for the first time, it technically (though only loosely) has a plot.
Within about five minutes, I was sold, due to the first serious site-gag involving a vending machine. If the fictional Irving Zisman can sell the opening sequence this well, the rest of the movie should be a breeze.
Young master Nicoll plays his part well, even when he’s in drag and trolling an underage beauty pageant. He never breaks character, he never fails to make even the most serious of adults question themselves, and he still manages to memorize lines and routines like I’d be hard pressed to today, despite the fact that I’m not a pre-tween.
How is the Box Office Going?
Mighty well, since you asked. It’s already the 3rd highest grossing Jackass franchise film, despite having a budget of only $15 million, with well over $80 million in receipts, and that’s with DVD season still to come.
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa is set to be the 2nd highest grossing film in the Jackass franchise, which it’s projected to reach in about another 9-10 days. So financially? Job well done.
And from a viewer’s perspective, it might not make film history, but it might make you wet your pants, or at least cramp up in the face with all the cringe-worthy moments that just never seem to stop rolling through.