In 1994, New Jersey independent filmmaker Kevin Smith snuck his way onto the Hollywood scene with Clerks, a low-budget, black-and-white comedy about two convenience store workers who hate their jobs.
         During the next few years, as the film grossed a growing cult following, sequels Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997) and Dogma (1999) helped to find the director a regular place in the world of the silver screen. However, as Smith finally prepares to move on from the series he broke out with, he leaves his fans with one last “thank you and goodbye” film.
         Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, one of many continuations during the summer of 2001’s season of sequels, hits the Student Center Theatre on Feb. 7. However, while it was arguably one of the summer’s three funniest films (along with the sequels to Rush Hour and American Pie), it is a direct continuation to the events of Clerks and Chasing Amy and as a result, may cause first-timers to feel left out of the loop when it comes to the continuous inside joke-style comedy.
         The movie opens with Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) learning of a forthcoming movie based on characters with their likenesses. However, when Internet junkies begin bashing the film’s characters, the dynamic duo takes it to heart and embarks on a cross-country quest to stop the movie’s production.
         The fifth View Askew film loses points for obviously watered-down performances, which include constant breakings of “the fourth wall” (looking directly into the camera and acknowledging the presence of the audience), by experienced actors (including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, George Carlin, Chris Rock and Jason Biggs) who should be able to pull off a toilet-humor film like this in their sleep but instead fall short of greatness.
         Although, in this case, it rarely makes a difference, since the movie is shot as a tribute to View Askew fans. Returning appearances by Shannen Doherty, Joey Lauren Adams (Big Daddy) and Alanis Morrissette, combined with newcomers Seann William Scott, James Van Der Beek and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) only add to the star appeal of the film; each one brings his or her own unique comedy style to the mix. Because of this, the goof-around performances by the actors, who are clearly having a good time by not taking themselves seriously, is fun to watch and makes the film entertaining for those who enjoyed the other four. 
         If you are a fan of Smith’s toilet-humor style and have seen either Clerks or Chasing Amy, then a trip to the SEC Theatre between Feb. 7 and Feb. 9 to see Jay & Bob is surely recommendable. Otherwise, the constant references to the other films will probably leave you, at best, only mildly entertained.