Zack and Miri make a porno

Nebulon beamed downed to the earth’s surface a few years ago and went on a pilgrimage to see the Quick Stop from Clerks. Nebulon expected the it to be a big a deal but it wasn’t really, just your average convenience store in a quiet seaside town. There was no plaque or memorial, but one of the cab drivers swears his daughter once went out with Jason Mewes. Instead of souvenirs Nebulon had to make do with a bottle of Gatorade.

If Nebulon was not already pledged to worshiping Khorne the Death Bringer, he would petition the home world to have Kevin Smith elevated to the position of a deity. Since he showed the world just what a comic book obsessed nerd could do with a camera and $20,000 with his 1990 movie Clerks, he has gone from strength to strength. Only Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (a little too self referential) and Jersey Girl (Nebulon was unmoved by such schmaltz but first Petty Officer Kland wept like a baby all the way though) stick out as being only good as opposed to great.

The question on every one’s lips, apparently, is that in a world seemingly run by Judd Apatow and his acolytes, is there any room for Mr Smith’s brand of sharp dialogue and crass humour. In this intergalactic warriors opinion, yes. In fact, Nebulon would go so far as to say that Apatow could learn a thing or two from Smith.

The film centres on two lovable slackers Zach and Miri who share an apartment and are always short on money. Eventually they decide to make a porn film to pay their bills with hilarious results. As with most of Smith’s films though the plot takes a back seat to acerbic dialogue and classic characters. The pop culture references to remain intact although non fanboys will be glad to know that the references to Star Wars that pervade his other works have been toned down slightly (with one major exception). Nebulon shares Smith’s evident disgust with the prequels, don’t worry the Sky Walker ranch is one of the first places on the list come the invasion. Nebulon hasn’t forgotten about Indiana Jones either Lucas.

Other notable performances include cameos from Justin Long and Brandon Routh as well as a welcome turn from Jason Mewes in a slightly more serious role than is usually filled by his manic alter ego Jay. Ultimately though the film rests on the performances of Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogan, both of which manage to do justice to the brilliant script. Interestingly this film is less wordy than some of Smith’s previous work which some have taken as him growing as a film maker and adopting a more visual style as opposed to having his characters say everything they are thinking. Nebulon never really minded Smith’s verbose characters in the first place but it is nice to see the sometimes maligned Smith getting praise from critics.

In short, classic Smith, old school fans such as Nebulon won’t be disappointed, and Smith might even pick up some fresh devotees. Look out Apatow, the master has returned.