“Jackass: Best and Last” is directed by Jeff Tremaine, who also directed the previous “Jackass” movies. This film’s cast includes Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Dave England, Danger Ehren, Preston Lacy, Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper, Rachel Wolfson, and Dark Shark. This is the fifth, and supposedly final “Jackass” movie, which showcases a mix of old and new stunts, footage, and shenanigans from its team of foolish daredevils.

When I watch movies, I traditionally make an effort to check out any previous installments before seeing the big, fancy, new installment. In 2015, I binged all the “Fast & Furious” movies before watching “Furious 7” in the theater. In 2017, I did that with the “xXx” movies before watching “Return of Xander Cage.” In the case of “Jackass: Best and Last,” I cannot say I have taken monumental efforts to familiarize myself with the lore of the property. Granted, what is there that I need to know aside from the basics? A freakshow named Johnny is the head honcho, and people do stupid, nonsensical things for others’ amusement.

I have put on an episode of “Jackass” here and there and found myself entertained. I am a casual watcher. When it comes to the movies, the only one I have seen is “Jackass Forever,” the installment prior to this newest one. But I had such a balls out time watching that film in theaters that I knew I had to be at the next “Jackass” movie opening weekend. Little did I know, sitting in that AMC auditorium as a 22-year-old college student that the following film would probably be the last one.

I am not going to pretend I had any kind of raw, emotional connection to the “Jackass” franchise. Had I watched it more, this film would have served as a more emotionally fulfilling conclusion perhaps. I know names from the franchise. I know faces from the franchise. Though it is not like I had MTV on all the time growing up watching these hooligans engage in tomfoolery. Though with a film like “Jackass: Best and Last,” this is not necessarily something in which I would need an emotional connection to fully enjoy. Watching grown men hurt themselves, while painful for those on the receiving end, is also sometimes hilarious.

In addition to its comedic emphasis, “Jackass” also has a dramatic factor, almost like watching Tom Cruise hang on the side of a plane like he did in “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.” Only thing is, typically as I am watching Cruise pull off a big stunt, it is for a work of fiction. I would imagine if Cruise, in real life, did not pull a stunt like that off and perhaps died while trying to do so, the work would be scrapped. As I am watching some of the stunts in “Jackass: Best and Last,” I have a strong feeling that everyone involved is going to be okay. In fact, this movie appears to have fewer stakes than ever considering how it is using a lot of older footage. Yet at the same time, I am watching some of these clips and part of me simply wants to look away because I am nervous that the person in said clip is going to get hurt, possibly killed.

It does not mean the clips are not funny. In fact, even though I have seen some of these clips already, such as “Magic Trick,” they hold up after some time. That said, it is slightly disappointing to have the last movie of the franchise be a greatest hits compilation. If anything, it feels somewhat lazy compared to having the cast go all out and commit to doing their most ambitious dares yet from start to finish. At the same time, I kind of get it, some of the cast members are not spring chickens. That said, this feels more like a combined series finale with a clip show. It is kind of like when “Seinfeld” had a big final episode, as well as a separate retrospective. Only in the case of this latest “Jackass” installment, it is as if those episodes were combined into one project.

Of all the “Jackass” projects, I would have imagine that “Jackass: Best and Last” may be the weakest entry point of the franchise. Not necessarily because the main cast has aged, but rather because the movie feels the most like a love letter to those who stuck around so long. This movie feels like a culmination at times, as if it were building up to something. When I watched the last movie, “Jackass Forever,” there was no real buildup or culmination. It was just a group of people acting like idiots the entire time, and somehow it worked. This is not to say that “Jackass: Best and Last” has a plot or a story. Things happen, of course, but as a “Jackass” movie, this has more layers than I would expect.

Yet as I say all this, some of these bits were first time watches for me, like Big Red Rocket from “Jackass Number Two.” As an individual bit, I thought this was quite entertaining, as were some of the other vintage clips like Brad Pitt’s Abduction. While I would have loved to have watched these clips for the first time during their original run, I do appreciate getting an opportunity to have my first experience with these clips be in a theatrical environment with a crowd of people. Granted, it was a small auditorium. It held less than 50 people, which, goes to show the downside of reclined seats in cinemas nowadays. I know people say they are comfortable, but goodness, has the theatre lost a sense of community because of them. Although on that note, there are some scenes in this film that make for some delicious popcorn entertainment, but others that would make for weird watches while eating. Just a warning.

This is supposedly the last “Jackass” movie. There are moments that contribute to its finality and wrap things in a satisfying bow. If it truly is the end, then the franchise has had a good run. Johnny Knoxville and crew have done plenty to entertain the masses over the years, even if they almost killed themselves doing some of those things. But frankly, if the “Jackass” name were to live on without Johnny Knoxville, I might still show up. It is kind of like “Jurassic Park.” It does not matter who is playing the lead as long I get to watch dinosaurs trying to eat people. “Jackass” delivers pure entertainment out of daunting situations, twisted games, and scary stunts. It is balls to the wall fun. “Jackass: Best and Last” is no exception to the rule.

In the end, “Jackass: Best and Last” is a lot of fun, even if it has hints of, admittedly, somewhat understandable laziness. Seeing the main cast and crew come back together one more time made for an absolutely entertaining ride. If this is the end of the road, it is not the worst way to go out. I have no idea if this movie is going to have a ton of replay value down the line. Although if anything, it does make me, as a “Jackass” novice, want to go back and see parts of the franchise that I may have missed. “Jackass: Best and Last” has plenty of laughs and I am going to give it a 7/10.

“Jackass: Best and Last” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, this very blog, Scene Before, is now 10 years old! In honor of the 10th anniversary, I am working on an original video series, Movie Requests, and my next guest who will be on the series is “Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood! I got to meet him in Philadelphia over the spring, and I got to hear his film suggestion. What did he pick? Find out on SUNDAY AUGUST 2ND here on Flicknerd.com! If you want to see the episode as fast as possible, please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “Obsession!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Maddie’s Secret,” “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” “The Odyssey,” “Her Private Hell,” and “Haunted Heist.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Jackass: Best and Last?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite “Jackass” episode or movie? Part of me wants to dive into the franchise a bit more, so I will gladly take any recommendations! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!