‘Jackass: Best and Last’ Early Reviews Show High Praise and Laughter

Few franchises in Hollywood have thrived on sheer chaos like ‘Jackass’. Since its inception as an MTV sensation in 2000, it has evolved over the years, producing five theatrical films and transforming a group of daredevils into unexpected cultural icons. The fact that the series continues to spark genuine critical excitement in its concluding chapter is arguably the most impressive stunt the crew has ever executed.

Directed once again by Jeff Tremaine and released by Paramount Pictures, this fifth and final installment reunites original cast members Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Danger Ehren, along with newer faces Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson. The film combines fresh stunts with archival footage, drawing from the TV series and previous films to create both a greatest-hits tribute and a heartfelt farewell.

The first wave of reviews is in, and the results are impressive. According to Rotten Tomatoes, ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ has kicked off its review cycle with a remarkable 92% Fresh rating based on 13 reviews.

This score places the film close to the franchise’s highest-rated entry and exceeds earlier predictions that estimated a score around 73%, with some forecasts dropping as low as 68% before rebounding.

For reference, the previous mainline film, ‘Jackass Forever’, received an 86% critics rating upon its release in 2022, which was seen as a high point for the series. Earlier films had lower ratings, with ‘Jackass: The Movie’ at 49%, ‘Jackass: Number Two’ at 66%, and ‘Jackass 3D’ at 67%. A 92% opening is a significant upswing for a franchise that critics once largely overlooked.

Variety described the film as an entertaining and somewhat nostalgic farewell, emphasizing that every ridiculous stunt is infused with a sense of disbelief from the cast that they still get to do this for a living. The review noted the blend of old and new material, highlighting that some of the biggest laughs come from the simplest setups, while commending the film for setting itself apart from the mindless shock content prevalent on social media.

Running for 92 minutes and rated R by the MPA for extremely dangerous stunts, crude content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, and sexual material, the film is set to hit theaters on June 26. Knoxville has already expressed that this will be the final installment, stating in an interview with Rolling Stone that it feels like “the natural place to end.”

The film carries an unexpected emotional depth alongside the chaos, with the cast’s aging bodies and the toll of 25 years evident in every stunt, giving ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ a bittersweet quality that previous entries have not captured.

Whether the 92% rating holds as more reviews come in remains to be seen, but for a franchise bidding farewell, this send-off is shaping up to be something truly special. If you grew up watching these guys risk it all for your entertainment, does this critical acclaim change your anticipation for their final act?