Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back

Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back

DVD Rating: *****

Reviewed by: Keith Dudhnath

Read Angus Wolfe Murray's film review of Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back

Both the picture and sound quality are of the high standards we've come to expect from modern films and DVDs. Subtitles, although flawless within the film, don't feature on the extras at all.

The two disc set is packed full of so many extras that I could have sworn I saw something oozing out of my DVD player. Whilst they're the standard fare of deleted scenes, trailers and out-takes, the lack of originality is more than made up by the quality and quantity. Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes introduce and explain each extra, including every single deleted scene. These DVDs have been lovingly put together to interest and reward fans of the film. And it shows.

Copy picture

It's the 90 - yes, 90! - minutes of deleted scenes that contribute to the bulk of the extras. You're in for a real treat. There are some very funny scenes here that didn't make it into the final cut for one reason or another. Whilst it's understandable that some are removed to ensure the film flows properly, it's a shame when others are taken out on the grounds of censorship. It's even more of a shame when you learn that the motivation behind their removal was to receive a certain rating in American cinemas, and yet the film has the highest possible here in the UK. If we're allowed to see Jay perform oral sex on a nun (Carrie Fisher), it would be nice to see the end of the scene, where he removes her pubic hair from his teeth. If we're allowed to see Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and the gang getting stoned and dancing around in their underwear, it would be nice to see Scooby's erect dog penis within the film itself. I guess there was little point arguing for the inclusion of these scenes on the grounds of artistic merit! The option to watch the relevant deleted scenes, as a director's cut, is the only thing missing here.

Most of the other extras merit watching once, but as is true of most DVDs, won't hold up to repeated viewing. Don't get me wrong. They're all excellent. They're just not excellent twice. Sadly, the director's commentary also lacks the come back factor, which seems to be the fault of the pace of the film, never allowing for more than "This is Chris Rock. This is Gus Van Sant. This is Matt Damon."

As well as the deleted scenes, there are the out-takes and Secret Stash - scenes that inhabit a weird place between "deleted" and "takes". As Kevin Smith tells us... every... single... time...: "Funny stuff. Check it out."

Reviewed on: 20 Sep 2002
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Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back packshot
Jay and Silent Bob go to Hollywood to try and stop a movie being made about them
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Product Code: Z1D888471

Region: 2

Ratio: 2.35:1

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1. English

Extras: Commentary with Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and Scott Mosier; Deleted scenes; The Secret Stash; Gag reel; Behind The Scenes featurette; Internet and TV trailers; Stills gallery; Guide to Morris Day and The Time; Cast and crew filmographies; Storyboards; Afroman and Stroke 9 music videos.


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