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All rights reserved.Mallrats (2007, HD DVD)
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A Sophomore film that's not Sophomoric (The Underappreciated Films Write-Off)Review created: 07/17/01
by: JuiceJW -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
Its "reported" to be so bad, that nothing can come but good
Its "reported" to be so bad, that nothing can come but good
Cons:
No movie is without fault
No movie is without fault
BUCKLE UP
Mallrats, released 1995 by Universal.
Written and Directed by Kevin Smith.
DOMESTIC GROSS: 2.122 million.
Blasted by nearly every critical mind in the existence of our Universe.
"There is such a thing as the "sophomore jinx" for film makers. Recently, it has hit the likes of Allison Anders, Robert Rodriguez, and now Kevin Smith" - James Berardinelli
"I don't know what Smith was thinking when this project came together, but let's just hope this is just the proverbial sophomore slump. Kev, I know you can do better than this." - Christopher Null
"Most of this sidetracking, though, lacks depth and humor." - Madeleine Williams
"In "Mallrats" the voice is muffled, and we sense instead advice from the tired, the establishment, the timid and other familiar Hollywood executive types." - Roger Ebert
In 1994 Redbank, New Jersey native Kevin Smith sold his car and his entire comic book collection to make his first movie: a black and white verbose comedy piece called Clerks, for $27,000. The movie went on to gross 3.51 million and garnered praise from across the country, from Cannes to Roger Ebert.
When Smith was ready to attempt his second film, in hopes to surprise the film-nation again, he had studios drooling over his raw potential. He eventually landed with Universal studios, as they were eager to produce Mallrats for around 7 million ($6,973,000 more than what it took to make Clerks). The cards were in place, Smith was excited, he had a studio promising a major marketing campaign, and his film was made.
The movie was so marred by critics, so terribly advertised that I don't even recall the release of Mallrats in 1995 (I was only 14 at the time, mind you), and when it one day magically appeared in my local Blockbuster with no reasonable explanation of where it came from, I just gave a wry look and laughed at how horrible it must be. Boy was I wrong.
It wasn t until a friend of mind rented Chasing Amy on video was I introduced to Kevin Smith s View Askewniverse, that I soon afterwards rented Mallrats and I haven t turned back since.
Mallrats is the very definition of the word cinematic-blast (actually I don t think that is a word, but you get the point). It is a completely goofy comedy, and unlike Smith's other films (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma) you lose a couple of brain cells when you watch it.
It all starts off with T.S. (played by Jeremy London) who is preparing to take is girlfriend Brandi Svenning (Claire Florani) to Universal Studios so that he can propose to her when Jaws comes out of the water. But in the first ever View Askewniverse reference, Brandi tells T.S. that the girl who was supposed to be on her fathers game show died in a pool (which is the wake that Dante and Randal visit in Clerks). Before its all said and done, T.S. is quickly with his Mallrat buddy Brodie (Jaws References: T.S. and Brodie) and the two are scheming (whether they want to admit it or not) to get their loves back.
In Clerks Kevin Smith used only a few characters, in Mallrats he shows a new talent, a knack for creating a wide cast of interesting and diverse characters, each one as fun to watch as the others.
T.S.
A whiny pretty boy. Doesn't really fit the K. Smith bill, but he works well in this movie as the central piece to the love plot puzzle.
Brandi
T.S.'s love interest played by the lovely Claire Florani. She is a lot of fun to watch in this movie because she looks like she is taking it so seriously, like its Meet Joe Black 2 or something.
Brodie
Once again Jason Lee steals the show with his sarcastic, lazy, pessimistic character. Brodie is possibly one of the most quotable characters I've ever well quoted ("Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned for Sega.")
Renee
Brodie's attractive girl-friend is where the suspension of disbelief element comes into play, in that it is quite difficult to believe that she would date a Mallrat looser like Brodie, but I buy it because Jason Lee is so damn cool.
Shannon Hamilton
Anti-Mallrat, Fashionable Male store-worker, Ben Affleck shows here why he is the king of cheesy characters (who else could pull of the 30 different warm-up suits he wears in Good Will Hunting). One of Affleck's first roles, which lead to the K. Smith friendship, which in turn led to Affleck starring in Chasing Amy and Dogma as well as Smith and his partner in production Scott That s beautiful man Mosier executive producing on Good Will Hunting.
Gwen
Joey Lauren Adams makes her View Askew premiere in grand fashion. Since we are on the subject of "Underrated" I would have to say that she is an incredible actress who is due more respect. She was dating Kevin Smith during the time they were making this if you can believe that.
Trish the Dish
A funny character who seems pointless, but fits nicely to the finale of the film. Trish is a 15 year old girl who is writing a novel called, "Boregasm: A study of the male sex drive."
Willam
The man and his Magic Eye. Willam is on another plain of existence throughout the entirety of the film. He is trying to see a Magic Eye and will stop at nothing to do so.
Jay & Silent Bob
The ever hetero-lifemates are of course here. Regardless of whether or not you think they will fit into a Kevin Smith plot, he always finds room for himself and his stoner friend. In Clerks they were nothing more than dirty drug dealers with a knack for dancing to techno music, in Mallrats they proved they could more than hold the screen on their own. Oh how I cannot wait for Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back to be released on August 22nd.
I personally prefer a Director to try various strategic attempts to bring is stories to the big screen. I think too many people came into Mallrats expecting Clerks 2.
What they got was a mixture of various Hollywood comedies, with a touch of independent flair, a reintroduction to some characters from Clerks, but regardless to me it is 100% Kevin Smith. I could not express in numbers how many reviews I have read that state: "Mallrats is not a bad movie, it just doesn't have what Clerks, and Chasing Amy have." I agree, but should it be chastised for not being an independent film? Yet I strongly believe that Mallrats, despite its obvious flaws, is atleast on par with everything else Kevin Smith has done. The dialogue is dumbed down a bit, yet it was at a lot different pace then his other efforts, and still just as much fun. It was a noble effort, if only because once the movie made a huge splash in the video market, it introduced many to View Askewniverse, and most people who are introduced with the incredibly wordy Clerks and Chasing Amy are not as interested in Kevin Smith s work.
Face it, if you aren t familiar with his style or characters, to some those movies come off as funny, but boring. Yet when Mallrats is the first Smith sitting for a viewer, they get a better feel for where the writer/director is coming from, because they are more willing to give this colorful and Hollywoodesque movie a chance, then they are to a darker and slower pace Independent fare.
If there is one place that Mallrats does fail, it is plot.
It all seems like a setup for these wonderfully acted, and incredibly fun characters to cut up, get loose, and show us a good time. BUT I can live without a plot if I am so caught up into these character s worlds that I care more about what they are doing on the screen in front of me at the moment, then where they are going to end up.
Nothing makes me happier than an underappreciated film with an overappreciated DVD, and Mallrats has certainly got its name all over this category.
Commentary by director Kevin Smith, and cast members Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and Jason Mewes, produces Scott Mosier and Vincent Pereira
Production notes
Theatrical trailer(s)
More Than an Hour of Deleted Scenes
Making-Of Featurette
In my book Kevin Smith DVD commentaries have quickly established themselves as the best around (see Clerks commentary where Mewes is drunk and snoring, or Chasing Amy as Smith and Affleck verbally bash each other). Yet one thing that bothers me throughout the Mallrats commentary is Kevin Smith's repetitive apologies for Mallrats. The truth is Kevin knows what he is doing, and I am quite sure he is very fond of the movie, it is just that he'd rather insult it himself to take the wind out of everyone who says, "Kev Smith maker of the excellent indy films Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Dogma has only one complete failure under his belt with Mallrats"
Its much like how on all his commentaries he insults his visual style, which is another somewhat witty attempt to take the thunder from the critics who seem to fixate on his cinematography choices.
Many people find Mallrats to be entertaining but a step below Kevin Smith's other work. I find Mallrats to be underappreciated, despite a strong video life, because those who criticize it fail to see its importance in linking the rest of the casual film world to Smiths more substance filled independent work, and thus broadening the independent film fan demographic.
Don't hate Mallrats. It may be very Hollywood at times, but it has just about everything else in it that distinguishes Kevin Smith from so many other young directors around, and it does its job, and completes its purpose, even if it takes a different route in doing so.
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
JUSTIN WAY
Many thanks to Matt_Harney for getting together this Write-Off. It is an excellent topic and I cannot wait to read every other offering by this top-notch cast of writers. By all means if you took the time to read this humble effort then you owe it to yourself to have a blast checking out every other impressive piece in "The Underappreciated Films Write-Off" puzzle!
ainsleyjo
alex_isit
angflowr
benho
ebrown2
girlgoddess
kris-kochanski
JackSommersby
JavaDevil
machkick
matt_harney
mangiotto
Mattels
Mike_Bracken
MrsNormanMaine
Psychovant
scott29
shadow8
stargull
teskue
third_man
Vormancian
Wokelstein
Thanks again Matt!
Mallrats, released 1995 by Universal.
Written and Directed by Kevin Smith.
DOMESTIC GROSS: 2.122 million.
Blasted by nearly every critical mind in the existence of our Universe.
"There is such a thing as the "sophomore jinx" for film makers. Recently, it has hit the likes of Allison Anders, Robert Rodriguez, and now Kevin Smith" - James Berardinelli
"I don't know what Smith was thinking when this project came together, but let's just hope this is just the proverbial sophomore slump. Kev, I know you can do better than this." - Christopher Null
"Most of this sidetracking, though, lacks depth and humor." - Madeleine Williams
"In "Mallrats" the voice is muffled, and we sense instead advice from the tired, the establishment, the timid and other familiar Hollywood executive types." - Roger Ebert
In 1994 Redbank, New Jersey native Kevin Smith sold his car and his entire comic book collection to make his first movie: a black and white verbose comedy piece called Clerks, for $27,000. The movie went on to gross 3.51 million and garnered praise from across the country, from Cannes to Roger Ebert.
When Smith was ready to attempt his second film, in hopes to surprise the film-nation again, he had studios drooling over his raw potential. He eventually landed with Universal studios, as they were eager to produce Mallrats for around 7 million ($6,973,000 more than what it took to make Clerks). The cards were in place, Smith was excited, he had a studio promising a major marketing campaign, and his film was made.
The movie was so marred by critics, so terribly advertised that I don't even recall the release of Mallrats in 1995 (I was only 14 at the time, mind you), and when it one day magically appeared in my local Blockbuster with no reasonable explanation of where it came from, I just gave a wry look and laughed at how horrible it must be. Boy was I wrong.
It wasn t until a friend of mind rented Chasing Amy on video was I introduced to Kevin Smith s View Askewniverse, that I soon afterwards rented Mallrats and I haven t turned back since.
Mallrats is the very definition of the word cinematic-blast (actually I don t think that is a word, but you get the point). It is a completely goofy comedy, and unlike Smith's other films (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma) you lose a couple of brain cells when you watch it.
It all starts off with T.S. (played by Jeremy London) who is preparing to take is girlfriend Brandi Svenning (Claire Florani) to Universal Studios so that he can propose to her when Jaws comes out of the water. But in the first ever View Askewniverse reference, Brandi tells T.S. that the girl who was supposed to be on her fathers game show died in a pool (which is the wake that Dante and Randal visit in Clerks). Before its all said and done, T.S. is quickly with his Mallrat buddy Brodie (Jaws References: T.S. and Brodie) and the two are scheming (whether they want to admit it or not) to get their loves back.
In Clerks Kevin Smith used only a few characters, in Mallrats he shows a new talent, a knack for creating a wide cast of interesting and diverse characters, each one as fun to watch as the others.
T.S.
A whiny pretty boy. Doesn't really fit the K. Smith bill, but he works well in this movie as the central piece to the love plot puzzle.
Brandi
T.S.'s love interest played by the lovely Claire Florani. She is a lot of fun to watch in this movie because she looks like she is taking it so seriously, like its Meet Joe Black 2 or something.
Brodie
Once again Jason Lee steals the show with his sarcastic, lazy, pessimistic character. Brodie is possibly one of the most quotable characters I've ever well quoted ("Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned for Sega.")
Renee
Brodie's attractive girl-friend is where the suspension of disbelief element comes into play, in that it is quite difficult to believe that she would date a Mallrat looser like Brodie, but I buy it because Jason Lee is so damn cool.
Shannon Hamilton
Anti-Mallrat, Fashionable Male store-worker, Ben Affleck shows here why he is the king of cheesy characters (who else could pull of the 30 different warm-up suits he wears in Good Will Hunting). One of Affleck's first roles, which lead to the K. Smith friendship, which in turn led to Affleck starring in Chasing Amy and Dogma as well as Smith and his partner in production Scott That s beautiful man Mosier executive producing on Good Will Hunting.
Gwen
Joey Lauren Adams makes her View Askew premiere in grand fashion. Since we are on the subject of "Underrated" I would have to say that she is an incredible actress who is due more respect. She was dating Kevin Smith during the time they were making this if you can believe that.
Trish the Dish
A funny character who seems pointless, but fits nicely to the finale of the film. Trish is a 15 year old girl who is writing a novel called, "Boregasm: A study of the male sex drive."
Willam
The man and his Magic Eye. Willam is on another plain of existence throughout the entirety of the film. He is trying to see a Magic Eye and will stop at nothing to do so.
Jay & Silent Bob
The ever hetero-lifemates are of course here. Regardless of whether or not you think they will fit into a Kevin Smith plot, he always finds room for himself and his stoner friend. In Clerks they were nothing more than dirty drug dealers with a knack for dancing to techno music, in Mallrats they proved they could more than hold the screen on their own. Oh how I cannot wait for Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back to be released on August 22nd.
I personally prefer a Director to try various strategic attempts to bring is stories to the big screen. I think too many people came into Mallrats expecting Clerks 2.
What they got was a mixture of various Hollywood comedies, with a touch of independent flair, a reintroduction to some characters from Clerks, but regardless to me it is 100% Kevin Smith. I could not express in numbers how many reviews I have read that state: "Mallrats is not a bad movie, it just doesn't have what Clerks, and Chasing Amy have." I agree, but should it be chastised for not being an independent film? Yet I strongly believe that Mallrats, despite its obvious flaws, is atleast on par with everything else Kevin Smith has done. The dialogue is dumbed down a bit, yet it was at a lot different pace then his other efforts, and still just as much fun. It was a noble effort, if only because once the movie made a huge splash in the video market, it introduced many to View Askewniverse, and most people who are introduced with the incredibly wordy Clerks and Chasing Amy are not as interested in Kevin Smith s work.
Face it, if you aren t familiar with his style or characters, to some those movies come off as funny, but boring. Yet when Mallrats is the first Smith sitting for a viewer, they get a better feel for where the writer/director is coming from, because they are more willing to give this colorful and Hollywoodesque movie a chance, then they are to a darker and slower pace Independent fare.
If there is one place that Mallrats does fail, it is plot.
It all seems like a setup for these wonderfully acted, and incredibly fun characters to cut up, get loose, and show us a good time. BUT I can live without a plot if I am so caught up into these character s worlds that I care more about what they are doing on the screen in front of me at the moment, then where they are going to end up.
Nothing makes me happier than an underappreciated film with an overappreciated DVD, and Mallrats has certainly got its name all over this category.
Commentary by director Kevin Smith, and cast members Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and Jason Mewes, produces Scott Mosier and Vincent Pereira
Production notes
Theatrical trailer(s)
More Than an Hour of Deleted Scenes
Making-Of Featurette
In my book Kevin Smith DVD commentaries have quickly established themselves as the best around (see Clerks commentary where Mewes is drunk and snoring, or Chasing Amy as Smith and Affleck verbally bash each other). Yet one thing that bothers me throughout the Mallrats commentary is Kevin Smith's repetitive apologies for Mallrats. The truth is Kevin knows what he is doing, and I am quite sure he is very fond of the movie, it is just that he'd rather insult it himself to take the wind out of everyone who says, "Kev Smith maker of the excellent indy films Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Dogma has only one complete failure under his belt with Mallrats"
Its much like how on all his commentaries he insults his visual style, which is another somewhat witty attempt to take the thunder from the critics who seem to fixate on his cinematography choices.
Many people find Mallrats to be entertaining but a step below Kevin Smith's other work. I find Mallrats to be underappreciated, despite a strong video life, because those who criticize it fail to see its importance in linking the rest of the casual film world to Smiths more substance filled independent work, and thus broadening the independent film fan demographic.
Don't hate Mallrats. It may be very Hollywood at times, but it has just about everything else in it that distinguishes Kevin Smith from so many other young directors around, and it does its job, and completes its purpose, even if it takes a different route in doing so.
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
JUSTIN WAY
Many thanks to Matt_Harney for getting together this Write-Off. It is an excellent topic and I cannot wait to read every other offering by this top-notch cast of writers. By all means if you took the time to read this humble effort then you owe it to yourself to have a blast checking out every other impressive piece in "The Underappreciated Films Write-Off" puzzle!
ainsleyjo
alex_isit
angflowr
benho
ebrown2
girlgoddess
kris-kochanski
JackSommersby
JavaDevil
machkick
matt_harney
mangiotto
Mattels
Mike_Bracken
MrsNormanMaine
Psychovant
scott29
shadow8
stargull
teskue
third_man
Vormancian
Wokelstein
Thanks again Matt!
Review ID: 10000000003731373
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