‘Clerks II’ hits the counters

On Tuesday, Kevin Smith’s newest hit “Clerks II” will hit shelves on DVD. This chapter of the View Askew saga follows Dante and Randal after the infamous Quick Stop Groceries store of the first movie – and seen through many subsequent films – burns down, and the duo are forced to become employed at Mooby’s, a horrible family-oriented fast-food franchise.

Now, as a returning fan of the movies that made characters like Jay and Silent Bob household names, I really did think it unfair that once again many reviewers and movie critics were holding “Clerks II” to the same torch that “Clerks” built more than 10 years ago. “Clerks” was a masterpiece in and of itself, and to watch every movie Kevin Smith directs get blown out of the water because they don’t hold to the same style of cinematography or quality is more than disappointing.

“Clerks II” did well to combine certain thematic elements that made both “Clerks” and some of its follow-up films like “Chasing Amy” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” successful. There are all at once witty cuts, slapstick comedy and more puerile humor laid out upon some very serious questions of self-realization and friendship. It brought together some of the both dry and vibrant comedy that made the rest of the Jersey movies so successful.

Once again, many favorite characters and actors are brought into the mix. Jason Lee returns as another minor character, playing Dante and Randal’s more successful old high school pal. Jason Mewes and Smith once more take their places as Jay and Silent Bob, who are recovering from rehab yet still dealing drugs outside of the Mooby’s establishment. Cameos include other actors such as Wanda Sykes, Ben Affleck and even Kevin Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith.

Overall, I was very pleased with “Clerks II.” Although it still pushes some of the same boundaries that made chocolate-covered pretzels a feared confectionary, the underlying message and the medal of the movie is what makes it a keeper.