Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Billy. He was 8 years old. He was a sweet young thing whose mother referred to as a “little shit” – but it was OK, because when Billy’s mother was jailed following an exciting drugs bust, his grandfather came to take care of him. Billy liked Grandpa; he was a “filthy old bastard” who made him laugh. They had lots of fun – playing football, watching movies, and visiting sex shops.
One day, Grandpa Irving was asked to take Billy to live with his father on the other side of America. So they jumped in Grandpa’s car and went on a long journey – which soon became a big adventure. Billy and Grandpa made sure they stocked up on plenty of yummy food – shoplifted of course by Grandpa, who shoved it down his pants. They also made lots of friends – by Grandpa starting fights with petrol station attendants. And of course, when they got tired they stopped at hotels – making sure Grandma was the first one settled in.. by wrapping her warmly in a blanket – before they chucked her dead corpse through the hotel room door.
Billy learned many things from Grandpa; he learned what a “whore” was. He also learned how to talk to girls he liked – by giving them compliments like “you look like a stripper” – and also how to gatecrash weddings. It was fun hanging out with Grandpa.
But soon enough, their adventure would end, and Billy would arrive at his father’s house. Unless of course, Grandpa Irving had other plans in mind…
HILARIOUS. This movie was absolutely bloody hilarious. Hidden camera comedy just upped its game, and didn’t us audience know it. Firstly..
Jackson Nicoll
What a bright, switched-on little thing he is. This little lad supplied just as much comedy as Johnny Knoxville throughout Bad Grandpa. He has a classic cute chubby kid image about him, and hats off to him for being such a good sport; playing out any scenario he found himself in. Stick the kid in any situation and he toddles off and gets on with it. When alone, his scenes basically saw him approaching complete strangers in the street, and asking bizarre questions. With men it was mainly “will you be my Dad? I’ll call you Dad” – and continued conversation with how much he loved the man, and what a great dad he is. With women, the little chubster pulled some brilliant gags like “are you a stripper? you dress like a stripper” and “my Grandpa says you have a great pair of tits, will you date him?”..
Though of a very young age, Jackson (Billy) seemed to display a hilariously dry, subdued attitude. This 8-year-old really couldn’t give a shit. This was definitely his shining quality, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the next best A-List celebrity of our time.
Johnny Knoxville
The creator and main man of the movie, this Jackass performer was just superb. Now I can’t stand stuff like Jackass – I find it worse than immature; all that “ha, ha, yeeeaaah.. I just tore half my skull off and that makes me so cool for doing it” bullshit is just cringeworthy crap that stoned and drunk teenagers watch and find “absolutely blinding”. But in this movie Johnny played a brilliant character, a believable character – this movie was completely different to the standard Jackass I’ve seen. And I think I know why..
What Made This Movie So Unique
The main element which made the film so different to Jackass, was its concept. Its story. Yes, us audience knew it was Johnny pretending to be an old boy with his grandson – but for the unsuspecting members of the public involved in the feature, they were simply two family members on a road trip. The overall concept of a grandfather looking after his grandson is rather sweet; to look at them the pair are adorable – it is this relationship which makes Bad Grandpa so unique, so different from the self-harming reality show pioneered by MTV.
I’m not kidding when I tell you, I used every form of laughter possible as I sat through this movie. Muffled sniggers, scoffs, LOL, howling, and even screaming – they say laughter is ‘the best’ medicine; they aint fucking wrong I tell ye – I felt like someone had slipped 500 Ecstasy tablets in my bottle of spring water. (I’d like to clarify no one did. And that I have never taken drugs)
Its that whole ‘what will happen next’ feeling too. Yes I’d seen most of the pranks in the trailer, but I knew there was a lot more to come, and Bad Grandpa stirred a feeling of heightened anticipation within me as I wondered who he was going to show his penis to next. Who he’d rob next. Or which member of the public would shout for help next. Just fantastic.
Chemistry
The bond between the pair, be it as two performers or two relatives when acting, was brilliant – very natural. At the beginning of the movie (shortly after ‘Mom’ has given her son to Grandpa), we see the old boy get into his car; followed reluctantly by little Billy, whose towering backpack looks as if Mom had put a few lunch boxes in there – along with the rest of the house. Grandpa looks down at Billy who sits in the passenger seat. Billy looks up at Grandpa. They both look completely mismatched, yet at the same time rather endearing. Cute.
But this is where my query lies – we had cameras in the car, so we could see the interaction between the boys even before they approached the general public. Thing is, they played out their characters the entire time! I thought this would be a movie where the two real-life people (Johnny & Jackson) would sit in the car, laughing about the next prank they were about to deliver – then go do it. Instead, we had: “Grandpa, I’m hungry” .. “hey Billy, quit moaning or I’ll sendyou back to your mom”.
This really is a movie. And perhaps the reason why they were acting when they were alone together, was because it made the whole thing easier to carry out. It certainly made it more entertaining.
Balls Of Ass
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa reminded me a little of (England) Channel 4’s Balls Of Steel. Let’s face it people – there really is nothing funnier than unsuspecting members of the public being set up. The looks of surprise, shocked gasps and often “get the fuck outta here!” reactions are perfect. Sometimes ‘real’ comedy is the best; improvisation at its peak which creates splendid entertainment.
Avoid If..
Avoid this movie if you consider playing pranks on people as ‘immature’ – again, Bad Grandpa is considerably different to Jackass due to its characters, however, the whole piss-taker element runs strong throughout. If you’ve never been a fan of those TV shows where the general public are set up, then you’re not going to like this. Its still nothing like Johnny Knoxville’s immature reality show though – go on, I dare you to give it a go..
“Grandpa, what are you up to?!..”
Some of the stunts they pull are hysterical. Look out for the following rib-ticklers:
Grandpa gets his (very stretchy) penis stuck in a vending machinewhilst trying to get a cheap jolly
Billy’s dance (enough said)
Grandpa brings down the Champagne fountain – and then the entire cake – at a wedding
Grandpa goes to Bingo – and uses the card marker for a different reason..
*Listen out for some of the vulgar wisecracks & chat-up lines Grandpa uses on female victims*
I don’t care how much a cinema ticket cots – go and see this.
And if you’re not a fan of Jackass – go and see this.
Overall, this is a bloody fantastic little feature.
I cried.
Ricky's Film Reviews 