Last week, filmmaker Kevin Smith announced he is working on a sequel to his 1995 film, Mallrats. The original film came out just as I was on the cusp of my adolescence. It was full of swear words, fart jokes, and lots of comic book references. So naturally I loved it. And all these years later, I still consider it one of my favorite comedies of all time. But when word came down from high that a sequel was in the works all I could think was; who cares.
Growing up, I loved the films of Kevin Smith. His Jersey-verse helped shape a part of who I am today. Since those early days, Smith has gone on to do films like Zack and Miri Make A Porno, Red State, and Tusk. All films that have nothing to do with Jay and Silent Bob. I thought it was a natural progression for Smith to make films that weren't centered around New Jersey. Now, with another Clerks sequel on the horizon as well, it appears Mr. Smith may be just trying to return to properties that made him famous to begin with.
The first Clerks movie was about two friends trying to figure out life in their 20's, and the sequel was the same, except in their 30's. The upcoming third Clerks film is set to have the same premise, except now the characters are in their 40's. That idea seems like it would work. The end of Clerks II saw Dante and Randal opening up their own convenience store and looking like life was going to be ok. But as most of us know, that's never the end of the story. I would be curious to see Dante and Randal ten years later, wondering how they've changed, and what new struggles running their own business has brought them.
Mallrats, however, ended with the audience being told what became of the characters. Brandy and T.S. got married. Brodie took over hosting The Tonight Show with Renee as his band leader.......and was well liked by his mother. That already sets up what happened. The movie itself was about these particular characters and how they spent one day at the mall. I love watching Mallrats, but given that's it's 20 years later I don't want to see a sequel when I was already told what happened to everyone.
I feel like Kevin Smith is just hoping we fans will flock to the nostalgia and spend money to see these long overdue sequels we once craved. I also feel like this is a step back for Smith as a filmmaker. Sure none of his films following the Jersey-verse were a huge hit, but all Kevin Smith films seem to fly under the radar, and most of them, like Mallrats, do not get a cult following until much later. If he has an idea that he thinks will for work great than I am all for a Mallrats sequel. It was already announced that major cast members like Jason Lee and Shannen Doherty have already signed on to be in the sequel. But most of the time, when a sequel comes out decades after the original, it's usually just a cash grab for a studio or filmmaker who is out of ideas. I truly hope this is not the case, but my skepticism is on high alert, especially when talking about a film so close to my heart. If Mallrats 2 is great then I'll be ecstatic. But if it isn't, Mr. Smith can expect a stink palm the next time I go to one of his Q&A forums. Snoochie Boochies.
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