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Mathew Scott

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius, Steve-O

Director: Jeff Tremaine

The film: Jackass comes across as MTV trying to prove it hasn't competely sold out to corporate conformity. It is a video diary of a bunch of blokes behaving very, very badly. A massive hit in the United States it is mindless, often offensive, but for the most part extremely watchable.

The concept is simple. Assemble a bunch of fearless young men and challenge them to outrageous stunts. Snorting wasabi, human bowling and tit-for-tat paper-cuts are at the mild end of the scale.

Of course, if you find any of this amusing, you'll love it. If you don't, stay away. When the network eventually told them to tone down their act, they rightly quit while they were ahead.

Jackass: The Movie is basically an extended, and uncensored, episode of the TV series. There's no narrative to speak of, no voice-over to tell you what's going on. You're thrown straight in to the 'action'.

Masochism doesn't come close to describing what they put themselves through for our - and presumably their own - pleasure. Of the 'cast', Johnny Knoxville comes out as closest to a leader of the pack and he certainly does have some sort of charm - he co-produced with director Spike Jonze (Adaptation) and looks set to cross over into a regular Hollywood career. The rest of the crew look like they were plucked from the nearest skate park.

They are at their most obnoxious while travelling in Japan, frightening the locals with stunts they might have been jailed or bashed for Stateside. At 84 minutes, the film-makers wisely keep things on the brief side - but even then there are moments when it drags. Keep the fast-forward button at the ready.

The extras: Knoxville leads one excellent commentary but when the entire cast gets together, it's hilarious. It's almost worth watching the film with this commentary on - it adds to the experience. An additional 27 minutes of footage will push even the bravest of souls to the very limit of endurance. Out-takes add to the madness and highlight just how brave these guys are in the quest for their 'art'.

The verdict: Not for the easily offended, but it's pretty hard not to laugh along.



Jackass: The Movie