jackass: the movie proves that the theory of natural selection does not always hold true. The movie is the natural extension of the MTV series, which ended its run a year ago, mostly because the concept had run its course. Increasing legal liability was probably a big factor too. Of course, the movie is bigger than the show in nearly every way. Stunts are more extreme, the language is more off color, and there is more skin shown (almost always male). For those unaware, the name of the show and movie essentially sum up the concept. A bunch of guys led by Johnny Knoxville (Deuce's Wild, Men in Black II) run around performing dangerous, stupid stunts that evoke fits of laugher from their friends.

There is no plot to this film, it is just a collection of clips. The continual barrage of them does have an effect on the viewer, because they keep visually assaulting the audience with their own version of lowbrow sensory overload, it does becoming somewhat amusing as time goes on. However, remember that there is no redeeming factor about this movie, and Knoxville and cohorts want it this way. The clips go from ten seconds to maybe twenty minutes in length, and run the gamut in terms of stupidity. There are some amusing moments like when they trash a rental car or make themselves up as elderly men (with Spike Jonze, Being John Malkovich), but most of the stunts border on the lame. It is interesting to think about how idiotic these people are and the complete lack of fear (or is it just a deathwish) that compels them to try tightrope walking over an alligator pit, sticking firecrackers where the sun doesn't shine, or eating a urine snow cone. It's difficult deciding on which category stunts like defecating into a display toilet fall into.

However, Director Jeff Tremaine knows his audience. Fans of the show will love the movie, and people who hate the show will hate the movie. The movie stays faithful to everything the show was about, and whether or not that is a good thing is a matter of opinion (this opinion: BAD). It does take a certain amount of imagination to come up with so many different ways to look like a fool or to potentially kill oneself, so give Knoxville credit for that. Otherwise, the skits become tiresome fairly quickly. Oddly enough, they take the time to thank many of their victims in the credits, most likely because they managed to get them to sign some waiver to allow jackass to show it in the film. This brings to mind something else; the negotiations. Knoxville and crew think that watching the reactions of shocked bystanders or victims is funny. Debatable. What could be potentially fascinating is watching the lawyers try to convince these people to allow their likeness to be shown on film. jackass skips this part completely, because watching this would require a brain and the watching the movie as it is doesn't.