Jackass (3D) – 3*

Toilet humour, eye-watering blows to the never-regions and Evel Knievel-style stunts are on the Jackass (3D) menu in this film. But as the title suggests, what you also expect, even before head prankster Johnny Knoxville’s grand announcement at the start, is all of the above in glorious, gut-wrenching 3D. Let’s face it; that’s the key selling point, this time around.

Halloween may have just been, but there’s a sense of having been tricked, rather than treated, as the 3D is virtually not existent. It feels like a last ditch attempt at squeezing a little more cash out of (you) the franchise, before the boys get a little long in the tooth and retire. In fact, never mind Wee Man and co, Knoxville is looking older and alarmingly gaunter in this film – distinguished grey aside, so you can’t help wincing when he’s headbutted by a disgruntled buffalo, or bitten on the behind by a dog. The whole team still appear to enjoy the day job, but their once youthful enthusiasm and insanity is waning with every new challenge set. Even serious nutter Steve-O seems a little more reserved than usual and lacking his usual spirit.

Like all Jackass stunts, there are those that are funny, and others not. The funniest thing is the high-five moments and a spot of dentistry, courtesy of a Lamborghini. The unfunniest is an exploding ‘butt volcano’ in the midst of the train set, plus supposed 3D bodily functions from the point of view of one of the team’s manhood. It’s hard to tell whether this was meant to be in 3D, or just poor-quality home-movie video. Whatever; it’s just not funny, guys.

The main problem with jumping on the 3D bandwagon is a lot of the stunts require wide shots to establish and see exactly what’s going on. Sadly, 3D just isn’t doesn’t work in this respect. Plus with a whole team of behind-the-scenes expects on tap, you’d expect a little more thought to have gone into filming from angles that really make the 3D work, rather than seeing wrenching cameramen trying to get their own five-minutes of fame.

The grand finale seems to be the only true 3D aspect of the whole charade, when the team do slo-mo action dives around a set, whilst being obliterated (something that should have happened a long time ago, in our humble opinion). Oh, and apart from Chris Pontius’s nauseating, full-frontal exhibitionism, there are flying rubber dildos in 3D to laugh at (or not). There just seems to be very little that’s new or inventive for a proper 3D cinema experience, and that’s our main gripe.

For Jackass fans, it’s great to see the boys back in town, plus a cameo appearance from Beavis and Butt-head – who also sell the promise of a 3D experience at the start. But don’t expect anything groundbreaking in the 3D stakes, as you’ll be sorely disappointed.

3/5 stars

By L G-K