If you’re new to the blog, then let me introduce myself, I’m Elliot the Kevin Smith whore. Yes I’ll take my Kevin Smith any way I can get it. I’ve seen all his films on their opening weekends. I’ve got all of them on DVD and have logged double-digit viewings on each. I’ve listened to every commentary, unearthed every Easter egg, and watched every deleted scene. I’ve read every comic book the man has penned, right down to that 3 year opus that was Spidey and Black Cat. I started watching Reaper on the CW partly because Kev directed the pilot. I even own all the Inaction Figures he’s produced including a signed Silent Bob figure on my porch. Yes I’m a whore for Smith, which is why this review has taken me two days to write.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno is the latest flick from Smith and is the first one that has not stuck with me after viewing. That’s not to say this isn’t a quality flick. It’s funny as hell, has a kick ass soundtrack, and for the adolescent boy crowd, plenty of titties. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks really deliver as the title characters that after hitting rock bottom make the natural decision to erase their debt by making porn. Rogen is at home in a Kevin Smith film as his rough exterior with a heart of gold shtick really works here. Sure we’ve seen it before in Knocked Up but it still works even if it’s getting a bit old. Banks, who really showed her comedy chops on Scrubs the last two seasons, gives the film a solid base but still manages to add a fair amount of physical giggles to the screen. Craig Robinson (The Office) is the clear breakout star. Over the course of the flick he seems to get all the best lines. The rest of the supporting cast is on their game including Smith stalwart Jason Mewes. Stepping outside of the “Jay” comfort zone, Mewes doesn’t exactly redefine himself as an actor but certainly shows some different range. The movie has plenty of great moments and the chemistry between Rogen and Banks makes the inevitable relationship storyline believable. In the end though I’m left wanting more.
Smith’s films have always spoken to me on a very personal level. Whether it was the parallels in my own life on screen or the inspiration he provided to me as a writer and filmmaker, Smith spoke to me on some level whether it was the Green Arrow comic book or the lunacy of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Chasing Amy and Clerks II are two of my favorite movies not because of the amazing look of the films, but because the story Smith tells is something I can identify with. Zack and Miri is a cute film but in the end there is no part that speaks to me. I feel like we’ve watched Smith grow as a person and filmmaker with each flick and here there is no growth. Again it’s a good flick and maybe I’m just one of those crazy demanding fans that wants more. I still recommend seeing it and will probably pick it up on DVD in a few months. I’ll also probably pick up the latest DVD of Smith doing his public speaking gigs (Threevning with Kevin Smith). Then again maybe I’m just growing out of dick and fart jokes. Jesus I hope not.
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