Take 235: Jackass In Review

Mostly Film – Take 235: Jackass In ReviewTwenty-five years of stupidity, brotherhood, and somehow nobody died. Jonathan and JP dig into the full Jackass franchise — all four films — just in time for Jackass: Best and Last hitting theaters THIS Friday.In the spirit of the occasion, the guys trace the franchise from its scrappy MTV origins (Senator Joe Lieberman tried to kill it, which only made it stronger) through to its unlikely status as one of Paramount's most consistent box office performers. From a $5M debut that made its budget back four times over opening weekend to Jackass 3D quietly becoming the biggest fall opening of 2010 — this franchise has absolutely no business being as successful as it is.They break down all four films: the raw, censorship-free chaos of The Movie, the widely-beloved Number Two (the best cold open in comedy history, full stop), the commercial and creative peak of 3D, and the emotionally complicated comeback of Forever — including the Bam Margera situation, the new generation of cast members, and Knoxville's final bull stunt that reportedly ended his ability to take hits to the head forever.Plus: franchise rankings, all-time favorite stunts, and the question nobody expected a Jackass episode to ask — what does 25 years of shared pain actually say about male friendship?Jackass: Best and Last opens Friday. Are you going?