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Clerks II (R, 2006)

common sense media says

More crude banter about sex, movies, drugs.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
See all 13 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film is not for kids. The dialogue is rife with obscenities (over 130 f-words, to start), as well sexual talk (including references to oral sex, bestiality, masturbation, homosexuality, and pornography) and brief images (tongue-kissing, visual suggestion of a man about to masturbate and then penetrate a donkey). A fast-food clerk urinates and puts flies in customer's food. Characters are arrested for hiring/watching a bestiality act.

Positive messages: Best friends worry and argue over one's impending marriage; man admits cheating on his fiancee; characters taunt each other, dirty food they're selling, purchase a human-animal sex performance via the Internet; jokes about religion (especially Christianity).
Violence: Store burns down at start of film; knee to the crotch.
Sex: Incessant sexual allusions, including crude slang for genitals and sex acts; a shot of full frontal male nudity, with penis tucked between legs; a hired performance (sex with a donkey) serves as joke/climax; explicit tongue-kissing; discussion of one-time unsafe sex (resulting in pregnancy); naked bottom (mooning); long discussion of "a-- to mouth" sex act.
Language: Over 130 f-words, plus other obscenities and sexual slang.
Consumerism: Song lyrics refer to Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, McDonald's.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Jay and Silent Bob sell drugs and smoke dope; mentions of weed, coke, heroin; characters smoke cigarettes and drink liquor (Eli is drunk at end).
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Clerks II

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the "buddy movie" genre. Why do so many films celebrate the slacker lifestyle and men behaving immaturely? Are these characters likeable? They can also talk about the movie's over-the-top gross-out humor and where the line is between silly and offensive.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Like the first movie (href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/review.php?id=3844&type=Video%2FDVD"> Clerks), the sequel takes place over one day. Now in their 30s, Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) work at a fast food joint, where Randal mentors younger coworker Eli (Trevor Fehrman) about sex and movies. Dante is engaged to Emma (Jennifer Schwalbach) and about to move to Florida to work for her father, and also attracted to his current boss at Mooby's, Becky (Rosario Dawson). The sequel focuses on conversation -- speedy, competitive banter. As before, Dante and Randal spar energetically, while other characters are shaped in lively language, including Jay (Jason Mewes) and (mostly) Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), and the briefly appearing customers played by Wanda Sykes, Jason Lee, and Ben Affleck. When Randal gives Dante a farewell party with a sex-with-a-donkey show, Eli drinks too much, the cops show up, Emma and Becky face off, and the clerks plus Jay and Silent Bob end up in a jail cell, where Dante and Randal finally find a way to make their friendship work.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Essentially repeating the successful formula of the original, CLERKS II expands the universe of its titular heroes to include marriage and children. That's not to say that Dante and Randal grow up, exactly. But they are in their 30s now, and at least thinking about rethinking their life choices. It's telling that Emma does not engage in the film's many pithy, earnest debates over movies, sexual positions, religion, racism, and romantic love versus pragmatic life choices.

This last is the primary point of connection and contention between Becky and Dante, unable to admit they're in love with each other, even as each dreads his move to Florida with Emma. He displaces his worry onto being able to dance at his wedding, which allows for a surprisingly charming sequence (in sharp contrast to Randal's twisted farewell party). Becky teaches Dante to dance as a boombox plays the Jackson Five's "ABC" on Mooby's roof. The music touches everyone, leading to a sweetly choreographed group number.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Kevin Smith
Cast: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: July 21, 2006
DVD release: November 28, 2006
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: for pervasive sexual and crude content including aberrant sexuality, strong language and some drug material.
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 9 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
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Most useful reviews by all members

frogger35
teen, 16 years old
 
Awful!
This movie contains alot of drug use. Selling of drugs. Language is a HUGE issue! f-word is used alot! Show Emma's boobs and Jay's penis is tucked between his legs!eew! No one under 19 should watch this!
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cab87670
parent of 7 , 12 , and 15 year old
16
 
Funny but not for kids
Clerks II is a great sequel to the 1994 indie comedy Clerks. Its funny, raw and entertaining for adults who liked the first film. However, this is not for kids.
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mikey01
adult
 
Very funny
I loved the movie and thought it was so much better than the first one. But I do have to say the language was kind of bad but that's to be expected in a movie that is as funny as Clerks 2 was.
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SettingXSail
adult
13
 
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lifeisminty
adult
 
Okay, so one of the premises of the film involves a donkey show. So the language is non-stop. This isn't a movie for kids, but that shouldn't stop those 17 years old or older from viewing it. The film actually does have its tender and redeeming moments, and as always is full of laughs (as most Kevin Smith pictures are.) If you're mature enough to not take everything so seriously, go see it and have a good time.
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yost820
adult
 
A fun, witty, somewhat heartfelt film
First of all, Clerks II was innapropriate: the language used was explicit, and the sexual content was semi innapropriate, although mostly implied through language. However, although Clerks II is a gross out comedy, it is heartfelt and good intentioned in the end, and, depending on the maturity of the child, is generally appropriate for kids entering high school: the language some kids use and hear is about equal to the content in the film.
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october1985
adult
14
 
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faisaf1
adult
 
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moviegeek222
teen, 17 years old
 
Hilarious
This was hilarious to say the least. Anybody with a sense of humor and a need for laughs should see this movie.
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go_charlie
teen, 16 years old
 
OK
This movie was an okay movie... The first clerks was definately better. If you are looking for a laugh and have to choose between this and the first one, definately go for the first movie.
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bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
17
 
tons of swearing/sex talk and the donkey scene (which isnt to graphic.). but its still funny.
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daniel.nichola ...
adult
16
 
Hilarious movie about clerks. 16+
Hilarious movie, but completely inappropriate for most teens. Lots of f-words, and other such profanity. Scene involving "inter-species erotica" (a.k.a. beastiality) which was really funny, but, again, not for teens.
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Dawgas
 
This is supposed to be HUMOROUS. If people actually attempt to do what is in this movie, they deserve all the consequences that arise from doing these activities, and seriously, by shielding kids from the 'f-word', you just encourage them to use it more. I say, let the kids watch it, it's an awesome film.
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monkey.po
adult
 
I Laughed ALOT
It rocks out loud.
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