Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2002)

After granting the titular burnouts scene-stealing interludes in each of his previous films, it was only a matter of time before writer-director Kevin Smith gave them their own heavy-lidded feature romp. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back catches up with the duo at their convenience-store hangout, when they learn that some Hollywood bigwig has optioned ''Bluntman & Chronic,'' a comic book starring ganja-puffing characters based on them (the comic first appeared in Smith's 1997 romantic comedy ''Chasing Amy''). Fearing it will brand them as sellouts -- and determined to put the kibosh on the flick -- they thumb their way to Tinseltown.

In true road-movie tradition, the barely-there plot is clotheslined on a series of absurd encounters, which Smith crams with self-deprecating cameos. Among the most inspired are ''American Pie'''s Seann William Scott (as a sensitive animal rights activist), Chris Rock (as a scabrously racist director), and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (playing themselves in a hilarious ''Good Will Hunting'' parody).

Running amok through it all is Jason Mewes' Jay, the tale's foulmouthed ringmaster with the mentality of a 15-year-old and the vocabulary of a mack daddy. He's also the flick's supreme pleasure. Smith has pledged that ''Jay and Silent Bob'' would be their swan song, which would be a shame. Mewes' comic potential alone is cause to hope he won't bogart such a promising franchise.

You Might Also Like

• Movie Review Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Aug 24, 2001) | Owen Gleiberman
• Review Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Aug 24, 2001) | Owen Gleiberman
• All About Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
• Photo Gallery Kevin Smith movies: ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'' (Aug 24, 2001)
• Flashes 'Strike' Zone | Jeff Jensen
• Reel World Reel World (Aug 24, 2001) | Rebecca Ascher-Walsh