I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Jackass: Best and Last may actually be the best film in the franchise.
For more than 25 years, Jackass has built its legacy on outrageous stunts and utter chaos. While this final installment certainly delivers more than enough cringe-worthy moments, it’s also surprisingly heartfelt, serving as both a celebration of the franchise and a farewell to one of comedy’s most unique casts.
The Best Jackass Yet?
Rather than relying solely on new material, Best and Last blends brand-new stunts with many of the series greatest hits. The result is a fast-paced compilation that constantly reminds viewers why the franchise became a cultural phenomenon.
Whether it’s Steve-O willingly putting himself through another painful experiment or the rest of the cast doing something ridiculous embracing the insanity, the laughs rarely stop. Some of the top callbacks to classic moments include
- Brad Pitt’s Abduction
- High Five
- Poo Cocktail Supreme
- Silence of the Lambs
A Celebration of Friendship
What truly separates Best and Last from the previous films is its emotional core. Beneath the outrageous stunts is a story about friendship and loyalty that shows the crew growing older together.
The original cast is no longer in its 20s and 30s, and the film embraces that reality instead of ignoring it.
Watching Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius and the rest of the crew reflect on more than two decades together adds a surprising amount of heart to what has always been a franchise built on chaos.
Bam’s Absence Is Felt
One noticeable absence is Bam Margera. Aside from archival footage, Margera does not participate in any new material after his highly publicized departure from the franchise before Jackass Forever.
While longtime fans will undoubtedly miss one of the original cast members, the remaining crew delivers a fitting sendoff that never feels incomplete. The film also honors the memory of Ryan Dunn through archival footage, a cast member who passed away in 2011.
One Final Nut Shot
The film has been well received by critics, earning an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus describes it as “a joyously raucous celebration” that combines all-new stunts with the franchise’s biggest laughs, and it’s difficult to argue against that assessment.
From a non-bias opinion, the first four films in the franchise aren’t very good, but this movie does a little more than the others. If this truly is the final chapter for Jackass, it’s hard to imagine a better ending.
Jackass: Best and Last reminds audiences why they’ve spent more than two decades laughing alongside this group of lifelong friends. It isn’t just a farewell to a movie franchise, it’s the closing chapter of one of comedy’s most unforgettable groups.
Maybe one day, Jackass brings a new cast and crew that isnt Knoxville, Steve-O and the rest of the group but focuses on the newer cast members like Jasper and Poopies. Maybe the franchise can be led by a new regime, but for now it was a bittersweet ending with a deeper meaning.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
