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.
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.