For almost a quarter of a century,Johnny Knoxville,Steve-O,Chris Pontius, and the rest of theJackasscrew have been entertaining/grossing out/shocking audiences in inventive and increasingly surprising ways. From a series of VHS tapes, to a short-run MTV series, and now, with a quadrilogy of films,Jackasshas become somewhat of a comedic institution, an absurd combination of brilliant concepts mixed with ridiculous execution.
But withJackass Forever,the fourth installment of the series, star and host Knoxville has said that this will be the lastJackassfilm for him, and with the film introducing a whole new crew of Jackasses, this might be the last time we see this same team together. With these four films, theJackasscrew has engaged in some of the wildest antics ever seen in a film.
WithJackass Forevernow available on Blu-ray, DVD, and on VOD services, and withJackass 4.5now on Netflix, providing more outtakes and cut scenes that didn’t makeJackass Forever, let’s take a look back at the 20 best sketches from theJackassseries.
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20. Lamborghini Tooth Pull (Jackass 3D)
ManyJackasssketches are about defying expectations. A stunt goes wrong or a reaction isn’t quite as strong as one would imagine. But the beauty of “Lamborghini Tooth Pull” is how small the conclusion of the stunt actually is.EhrenMcGheheyneeds a tooth pulled, so instead of going to the dentist, they simply tie a string around the tooth, attach it toBamMargera’s Lamborghini, and floor the car. The result is an extremely satisfying pop as McGhehey freaks out about the scenario. “Lamborghini Tooth Pull” certainly isn’t one ofJackass’ bigger ideas, but it’s just as effective.
Knoxville’s Irving Zisman character has made an appearance in everyJackassmovie, stealing from a bodega, making out with his granddaughter, and driving scooters through store windows. Irving even got his own spinoff with 2013’sBad Grandpa, which actually earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. But it’s the “Bad Grandpa” segment inJackass Number Twothat truly nails who this character is, as he lets his grandson smoke, drink, and insult patrons at an outdoor restaurant. Zisman’s other sketches are good, but having the character actually be a grandfather while engaging in awful acts makes this his finest appearance in the movies by far.
18. The Red Rocket (Jackass Number Two)
Considering Johnny Knoxville is the star and face of theJackassfranchise, it’s truly shocking just how willing he is to do some ofJackass’ craziest stunts. Knoxville seems unflappable in almost any scenario, and that’s especially true in “The Red Rocket.” In the segment, Knoxville climbs a giant rocket, which will launch him into a river. At least, that’s the idea. With the first attempt, the rocket explodes, as debris shoots out the side and almost through Knoxville. Not only does Knoxville joke about how close he came to death, hegets on the rocket for a second attempt. The stunt goes off and works beautifully, with Knoxville soaring into the sky, but it’s shocking how close this came to picture wrap on ol Knoxville.
17. Beehive Tetherball (Jackass 3D)
With a name like “Beehive Tetherball,” you know exactly what type of nightmare you’re about to watch.DaveEnglandand Steve-O complete in the playground game, but with the addition of hundreds of bees inside. This competition is an example of polar opposites, as England quickly abandons the game, fleeing for his life, while Steve-O remains calm and finishes the game, despite what must be frequent stings. Steve-O has his own terrifying interaction with bees inForever, but watching these two with such varying reactions to this game makes this a painful joy.
16. Running of the Bulls (Jackass Number Two)
Like the shopping cart opening ofJackass: The Movie, the “Running of the Bulls” segment that opensJackass Number Twotakes an iconic image fromJackassand makes it even more ridiculous. TheJackassteam runs towards the camera, but as they’re surrounded by fog, we can’t quite see what they’re running from, until the bulls come into view. Like, a lot of bulls running through a fake suburb set. While this segment was certainly planned, there seems to be plenty of improvisation at these guys desperately try to find some place to hide, with DaveEngland jumping into a trash can,Wee Mangetting attacked by a smaller bull, andBam Margeraand Knoxville entering an empty house. Making this opening a free-for-all makes the bulls on parade even more intimidating.
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15. The Magic Trick (Jackass Forever)
But if Knoxville has an enemy in the world ofJackass, it’s certainly bulls. Knoxville has been hit by so many bulls at this point, he should probably be immune to them by now. But that certainly isn’t the case inJackass Forever, as “The Magic Trick” not only ends up being Knoxville’s worst run-in with a bull, but also gave him the worst injuries he’s incurred in this series, leaving him with a broken wrist, broken rib, a concussion, and a brain hemorrhage. Still, his spirits are high after the incident, cracking jokes even while everyone is concerned about their captain. After this sketch, it’s easy to see why Knoxville said this would be his finalJackassfilm.
14. How to Milk a Horse (Jackass Number Two)
TheJackasscrew has done so many insane and disgusting things at this point, it’s almost hard to shock the audience with simple gross-out moments. However, withJackass Number Two, Chris Pontius provided a moment so unbelievable, it had to be censored in theaters. The segment “How to Milk a Horse” seems pretty straightforward at first, as Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and Pontius collect a sperm sample from a horse. But then, director Jeff Tremaine asks if the sample is okay to drink. What follows is possibly the most foul thing to happen in aJackassmovie, a scene that leaves Knoxville saying, “I never puke ever, and I really almost puked then,” and leaving Pontius in a daze, saying “I’m ashamed of myself, I really am.” Yet for as disturbing and unexpected “How to Milk a Horse” is, it also shows how theJackasscrew can take an idea that doesn’t completely work, and turn it into something memorable.
13. The Cup Test (Jackass Forever)
InJackass Forever, Knoxville points out that early in theJackassTV series, he did “The Cup Test,” in which he put on a cup and proceeded to let a bunch of little kids kick him in the groin. “The Cup Test” is escalated to an extreme degree inForever, as McGhehey gets punched in a cup by MMA fighterFrancis Ngannou, has a softball thrown at him by pitcherDanielle O’Toole, receives a puck right to the groin delivered by the New Jersey Devils’ defensemanP. K. Subban, and worst of all, DaveEngland jumps on the cup with a pogo stick. The montage is an escalating barrage of pain, all to prove that these cups don’t work so well.
12. Poo Cocktail Supreme (Jackass 3D)
Even before you hear that the title of the segment is called “Poo Cocktail Supreme,” you can tell it’s not going to be anything good by the defeated look of Steve-O. As the conclusion toJackass 3D, “Poo Cocktail Supreme” is a nauseating end to the film, as the team has connected a full chemical toilet to bungee cords, put Steve-O inside, and then proceed to launch him into the sky. The end is exactly what you imagine would happen to a toilet attached to a bungee cord, but just as impressive is the technical achievement of making this actually work without a hitch. If there’s one thing thatJackassteaches, it’s that if you can dream it, it can come true.
11. Paper Cuts (Jackass: The Movie)
Some of the greatestJackasssketches aren’t intricate or over-the-top, they’re deceptively simple, and rely on scenarios people have dealt with many times before. Case in point is “Paper Cuts,” in which Ryan Dunn simply gives Knoxville and Steve-O increasingly concerning paper cuts. But ask anyone who watchesJackass: The Moviewhat the most unsettling segment of the film is, and they’ll probably say it’s “Paper Cuts.” We’ve all had accidental paper cuts, where we can hear the skin slice through our flesh accidentally, but to watch these guys give themselves these inconvenient injuries intentionally? It’s almost too much to bear.
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