Kevin Smith was tipped for great things when he had a critical and commercial hit with his micro-budgeted debut feature, Clerks, in 1995. That, however, was the peak of his career, with only Chasing Amy in 1997 of the same quality. The first sequel to Clerks in 2006 was fine, but I was not expecting a third instalment 16 years later.
Initially, there is a clunky feeling to the proceedings. It seems a little embarrassing how the characters do not appear to have matured or moved on in nearly 30 years. A rooftop hockey scene seems to go on forever. But then, things take an unexpected turn when Randal (Jeff Anderson) suffers a heart attack. Whilst recovering, he persuades Dante (Brian O’Halloran), Elias (Trevor Fehrman), Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) to make a movie about his life in a convenience store.
It is during the making of a film-within-a-film, that Clerks III finds its feet. It remains very self reverential, and I suppose some would say, self-indulgent, but it has a number of pretty funny moments, including cameos by Ben Affleck, Sarah Michelle Geller and Justin Long, amongst others. It also has some touching scenes as it becomes clear that this will be the final entry in the series.
Thankfully the heavy acting lifting is left to the talented O’Hallaran in this sequel, that exceeded my expectations.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10