Rated R for strong language, including sexual dialogue, and for some scenes of sexuality and drug content.
94 Minutes
Written and Directed By: Kevin Smith
Staring: Claire Forlani, Shannon Doherty, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Jeremy London, Joey Lauren Adams, Ethan Suplee, Kevin Smith, Jason Mews, and Stan Lee
Bullshit. Eateries that operate within the designated square downstairs count as food court. Anything outside, of said designated square, counts as an autonomous unit for mid-mall snacking. Now, if you’re going to wax intellectual about the subject…-Brodie
Synopsis
Both dumped by their girlfriends, two best friends seek refuge in the local mall.
Review
Every now and again people need to sit down and watch a movie full of raunchy humor that does most of the thinking for you, and Mallrats is exactly that. Nowadays Kevin Smith talks like this is the red headed step-child of his movies(lets be honest-that’s Jersey Girl), but in truth it’s actually one of his funniest movies. Most eloquent? No. Most profound? No. Most romantic? Not even close. What some people may miss threw the vulgar jokes, outrageous activities and comic book enthused dialogue is how much appeal Mallrats truly has beneath it’s boisterous exterior.
There was a time when hanging out at the mall on the weekends was the biggest plans we had and most exciting thing to do. Video games, comic books, and shopping were the nucleus of our universe. Most adults and teenagers can relate to those years of adolescent euphoria. In those years came the time when moving into adulthood and leaving the joyous freedom of nonsensical youth behind. Beyond lies love, but responsibilities with life. In Mallrats we have an exaggerated version of what that life was like, and how it was easy for some to move on, and some like Brodie never wanted to let go of the glory years.
Kevin Smith is the master chief of dialogue and is one of the few writer/directors that can make a simple conversation worth sitting and watching minus any action or any real events happening. There is often, just talking and analyzing, like real people, but the genius of it is how brilliantly entertaining and humorous these conversations are, and it has the easy ability to relate to just hanging out with your own hilarious and oddball friends.
Where Mallrats did trip up, and Kevin Smith openly admits, was the production of the movie. Chasing Amy and Clerks cost next to nothing, and then Smith gets an 8 million dollar budget to make a movie about kids hanging out in a mall? He clearly says they pretty much didn’t know how to spend the money properly. Some of the scenes worked, like the Silent Bob Batman/Star Wars moments, and some did not.
The first time Jason Lee appeared to me as Brodie I just wanted to duck tape his mouth for yelling every word he said. He seemed to have some kinship with an overactive three year old and his only volume control was all the way up or completely off. Now actually hearing what Brodie is saying, it’s almost part of his charm. The irrefutable logic in his dialogue is redeeming of his obnoxious persona. In this round Silent Bob and Jay really get to shine as well.
There is an element of Mallrats that is cartoonish. The characters are preposterous, but on some level totally genuine. This is a movie that is a highly melodramatic version of what life was like being a Mallrat, but it’s exaggeration is what makes it so incredibly funny. There is the unforgiving sordid humor of Smith, with jokes that are unforgettable like “Stink Palm” that stays with you forever. Mallrats may be offensive to some, but it is plain and simply good old fashioned funny. This is one of my favorites.
Best ExtraStan Lee as Himself
IT IS the best movie ever made!!!! I absolutely love this movie and have for years. Has been my favorite movie since the first time i watched it. Best dialogue for sure is the superman discusion at the mid-mall eatery.
This is one of the funniest movies of all time. Kevin Smith rights the best dialouge ever. I love his movies and this is one of my favs.
By far my favorite of the Kevin Smith movies. He is a great writer so I’ll forgive him for Jersey Girl. Although for pure Kevin Smith, you’ve got to watch An Evening with Kevin Smith. I haven’t gotten to sit down and watch his third one yet but I’ve been told that it’s just as hilarious as the others.
I have seldom laughed as hard in my life as I have threw the Evenings With Kevin Smith. The first is the best, but what I find so great about him is dialogue in movies, so just to hear him sit and talk is nearly as good as one of his movies. My favorite Smith movie is Clerks, Mallrats is a close second…….
It’s certainly not as good as Clerks, but still has a lot of good jokes, and funny moments on its end that makes it work. Nice Review!
Thank you. I hated it the first time I saw it. I watched it a few other times and got over the awkward feel of it and embraced the characters and writing. Love the stink palm.
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