Come for the laughs, stay for the purity of 'Jackass Forever'

Johnny Knoxville (upside down) takes another for the team in “Jackass Forever.” (Paramount Pictures)

“Jackass Forever”
Directed by Jeff Tremaine
Rated R
Now playing in theaters

When the original “Jackass: The Movie” debuted in 2002, the credits concluded with one final sketch: “Son of Jackass,” featuring the motley crew of stunt comedians wearing elderly makeup prosthetics, still trying to escape disaster and bodily harm in the year 2063. Only Steve-O survives.

Twenty years after the first movie (and four decades before that comedic premonition), the Jackass team is back at it, a little smaller in number and a bit older in the tooth. Steve-O still survives, as does Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren, Preston Lacy, and ringleader Johnny Knoxville (Bam Margera was fired from the production after reported substance abuse issues, and Ryan Dunn passed away in 2011). A few younger additions to the cast - primarily Zach Holms, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson - help carry the load for some of the more physical gimmicks, along with assorted celebrity cameos like Tony Hawk, Eric Andre, and Machine Gun Kelly.

“Jackass Forever” may mix old and new faces, but the goal remains the same: Channel our immaturity into devising dozens of physically dangerous and/or revolting stunts to leave us in hysterics. “Jackass” initially found life as an MTV television series before the movies and managed to turn the innate appeal of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” to the max while turning the camera on themselves. It raised the game for short bites of entertaining self-peril years before social media gave everybody a platform.

As it turns out, the original “Jackass” crew remains the best because they lack both fear and shame. The sheer longevity of the group has given their antics an unexpected sincerity, as they’ve shared the kind of embarrassing moments that would typically cast you out of most social circles. No matter how ridiculous anyone looks here, the “Jackass” team holds no judgment, just healthy laughter and hugs afterward.

And while there are ample amounts of immaturity on display, it’s balanced with the ingenuity of the design. Now that the film series is four films deep into semi-respectable territory, Knoxville and the team’s form of cinematic comedy combines the physical prowess of a Buster Keaton or Jackie Chan with an old-fashioned carnival geek mentality. I can’t help but admire the purity of getting exactly what’s advertised here in these chaotic times.