“Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” is a wild ride of daredevil stunts and disgusting pranks, but this movie is a distinct departure from the style of the group’s previous films.
While their older work features sketches and stunts, the feats in “Bad Grandpa” are all connected by a loose, overarching plot. Johnny Knoxville (MTV’s “Jackass”) acts in character (and under layers of makeup) as the titular crazy grandpa, 85-year old Irving Zisman. The plot follows Zisman on a cross-country road trip to deliver his grandson to his biological father, all while riding on a celebratory wave of energy and newfound freedom after the death of his wife. As such, hilarity ensues.
Though the plot feels genuine and the movie’s stunts are factored in well, the addition of a story noticeably dulls the funny factor. A few stunts felt too staged; as if the supposedly oblivious bystanders were actually in on the joke (the one where Zisman tries to ship his grandson in a box at a UPS store comes to mind). Others were predictable or unoriginal, lacking shock factor. The complete absence of any of the other Jackass members (like Steve-O or Bam Margera) also prevents it from truly being called a Jackass movie.
Most of the memorable moments of Bad Grandpa revolved around Zisman’s grandson, Billy, portrayed by Jackson Nicoll (“Fun Size”). Little Nicoll fearlessly portrays a reckless child who is more than happy to tag along on his grandfather’s ride of chaos, pulling off more than his own share of disgusting stunts and foul language. In fact, it feels wrong to refer to him as “little” – at many points, including the opening scene of the film, the kid’s knack for the art of pranking matches up to (and even sometimes surpasses) Knoxville in terms of crude humor. The two work well as a duo – it’s hilarious and absurdly satisfying seeing a kid wheeling Knoxville to a fast food drive-thru in a shopping cart, and later acting as a surrogate pick-up artist for his grandfather. Nicoll could very well be the next generation of Jackass.
Regardless of its shortcomings, “Bad Grandpa” still delivers its promises of insane humor and daredevil stunts. The story adds to the overall fun, Knoxville is hands-down hilarious and Nicoll contributes as the perfect supporting role, hopefully he will be featured in Jackass’s work to come.
Viewers hoping for a Jackass 4 may be disappointed, but this film is still full of the crude humor that we’ve grown to love (and endure) from Jackass, making it something well worth seeing.
