“That’s how we did it in the ’90s, son!”
There’s an audience of a certain age whose movie tastes have been shaped and defined by the works of Kevin Smith. Just as his films, which began with indie cult classic Clerks in 1994, have mostly been reflections of his own life, his fans have seen something of their lives, as well. Smith’s movies, at least those within the View Askewniverse, would mature as he matured. But none were ever as personal as Clerks, which continued with 2006’s Clerks II, and now returns for a final chapter with Clerks III.
And like the others, it’s more of Smith using comedy and pop culture as a means of dealing with tough issues. In this case, Smith’s real-life survival of a heart attack becomes a major plot point. Jeff Anderson returns as mouthy convenience store clerk Randal, who after serving a heart attack of his own, decides he wants to leave his mark on the world. To do that, he’s going to make a movie about his career and friends at the Quick Stop. This, of course, brings back old favorites including Dante (Brian O’Halloran), Elias (Trevor Fehrman), and Becky Scott (Rosario Dawson). And what would a Clerks movie be without the return of Smith and Jason Mewes as iconic hetero-lifemates Jay & Silent Bob?
Other characters from the View Askew universe return, plus a bunch of Smith’s celebrity pals such as Ben Affleck, Fred Armisen, and Justin Long.
This movie has been in the works forever, and for a time looked as if it might not happen. A script was completed way back in 2017 and it’s taken this long for everything to come together.
I’m one of those who have been there with Smith throughout his career. The Clerks movies are among my favorites and I’ve been waiting a long time for this one. I don’t want Smith to ever put View Askew in the rear view mirror (as he did for a few years), and hope he keeps at it for the long haul.
Clerks III will be released in theaters through Fandom Events on September 13th and 15th. I’m hoping they’ll have something for it at Comic-Con, as well.
