The “Jackass” continuum has always been adequately characterized as Adam Sandler’s youthful zaniness meets Evel Knievel’s fearless spirit. It’s a worthy analogy, but one that falls short in the context of the infamous masochists’ latest project: frontman Johnny Knoxville is pushing 40, brazen crony Bam Margera has been married for almost four years and daredevil Steve-O is in the midst of a two-year sobriety stretch. For a motley crew that evokes the first 20 minutes of “The Hangover,” it’s almost shocking to once again witness them in their natural environment.
But “Jackass 3D” is far less ambitious than its preceding flick. There are indeed memorable setups – including a Taser-laced obstacle course and a Port-a-Potty bungee blast – but none mirror the goofiness of a suburban bull rampage or taxicab terrorist standoff. Early in the movie, a cast member pivots toward the camera, lamenting that an underwhelming prank “sounded better on paper.” When the audience is forced to endure a sequence of Bam Margera urinating on his unsuspecting friends, a new question arises: Why do they even have to write this shit down in the first place?
What remains is a vague sentimentality that has been veiled by jolly douchebaggery in previous installments. Knoxville retains his charismatic ringleader role and is easily the most welcome screen presence, exuding a seedy charm. The opening jingle, the bold Helvetica stunt titles, and the formulaic “Hi, I’m… and this is…” proclamation all elicit a warm tinge of demographic fellowship. Yet the target audience is naturally waning – in 10 years, their entertainment persona du jour has shifted from Carson Daly to Ari Gold, if that’s any indication – and adding a third dimension is not the ideal concept of a series revival.
Nonetheless, the image-popping is a peculiar draw for a movie that basks in visual savagery. When a “flatulence expert” launches a dart using a predictable method, there’s a slight urgency to dodge by way of the sticky cupholder. In the tumultuous mutal relationship between the audience and the cast, who are the actual masochists, again? Preston Lacy didn’t cough up $10.50 to have a pig nibble at an apple wedged in between his nether regions. Thus, likable habit fades to stale repetition in “Jackass 3D.” Even Margera becomes visibly edgy when he notices a known snake trainer creeping around on the movie set. “I should’ve known better,” he groans after unwittingly descending into a reptile pit. And if 3D goggles weren’t so view-obscuring, you’d probably see the audience nodding in unison.
