DVD Review: Zack and Miri Make a Porno 2-Disc
Kevin Smith's Latest Filled with Crass, Witty One-Liners
Feb 4, 2009
Zack Brown (Seth Rogen) and Miri Linky (Elizabeth Banks) are childhood friends and current roommates, and are way behind on their utilities bills. As Miri spends days at an unnamed mall job, and Zack works haplessly at a coffee chain, both are reduced to tedium and toiling daily, just to make ends meet (which they don't). Day after day, they start seeing their heat go off, then their hot water, and so on.
When their ten-year high school reunion comes up, both realize they have very little to show for, having been stuck in their menial service industry jobs for almost a decade. Deciding to have a blast nevertheless, both head off to the ten-year event, hoping to score with past crushes, or at least weave tall tales about unattained success. Zack soon strikes a conversation with a guest, who turns out to be an actor in gay adult film.
Culture Shock for Seth Rogen's Zack
This comes as a culture shock for the happy-go-lucky Zack, who then proposes to produce a cheap, amateur porno movie, which can then be marketed at a reasonable price, solving all of their financial problems, and perhaps turn a profit.
As both Zack and Miri start looking to co-workers and friends for equipment and financial backing, they brainstorm ideas for a half-decent porn story, using famous film titles as inspiration. Their idea: Star Whores, a clear tribute to a certain George Lucas classic.
Their plans go awry when their film location (and equipment) get destroyed, due to the crooked dealings of the suspicious landlord who leased them space scheduled to be torn down. It doesn't take long for the gang to change plans and improvise, via ingenious use of their day job location (namely the coffee shop where Zack works). With production back on track, a willing cast and crew, the project goes forward, and the childhood friends share an akward love scene which may change the way they view their friendship. This pivotal event and its repercussions, are what make Zack and Miri Make a Porno a worthwhile addition to Kevin Smith's existing body of work.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno Overall Analysis
While not the best written piece from Kevin Smith's eight-film strong body of work, fans of his past films will feel right at home, what with the main cast of characters (which includes Smith regular Jason Mewes as a well endowed wannabe porn star) spewing out the usual subtle pop culture references, and clever takes on daily life.
Many viewers may take offense at the subject matter (though the actual porno aspect of the film is mostly hinted at, and takes little screen time in the film), Smith still manages to weave a clumsy love story, when not delving into a torrent of visual gags and scatalogical humor. The resulting effect is one of implied shock value which desensitizes the viewer to any amount of crass inferred by the storyline, leaving plenty of room to get good laughs, soon forgetting how wrong the viewing should have felt in the first place.
Rogen is on his game as Zack, reprising the same token bon vivant type character he's portrayed in the last several comedies he's been in, such as Knocked Up, The 4-Year Old Virgin, and Pineapple Express. Elizabeth Banks has had less opportunity to express her funny side (with the exception of a brief stint on Scrubs), her humor is more subdued, she is the Abbott to Rogen's Costello.
Some known adult stars appear in supporting roles, look for adult and mainsteam film veteran Traci Lords, as an habituée of amateur adult film, and Katie Morgan as a perky bimbo with, shall we say, assets. Also in the film are Craig Robinson as Seth's erstwhile producer/co-worker Delaney, and Clerks mainstay Jeff Anderson, as cinematographer Deacon.
Zack and Miri DVD Extras
This two disc set is replete with extras, with the usual making-of bit, and some deleted scenes. As with most other Kevin Smith DVDs, Disc Two has content mostly funnier than the main feature, with incredibly funny outtakes, and additional takes designed to let the cast loose with witty improvisation. Look for a mini feature titled "Seth Vs. Justin", where fans will be subjected to countless takes on the high school reunion conversation between Zack and the gay porn actor. Given both actors' gift for inventive one-liners, it is near impossible to keep a straight face during their lines.
Fans who purchase the Ultimate Edition of this flick will likely notice a limited issue scratch and sniff attached (see pictures below), which come in scents inspired from the film. To understand the joke, you must watch the film.
For fans of Kevin Smith films, and non-fans alike, Zack and Miri is a harmless, potty humor tale, with heart.
7 out of 10, for providing enough laughs, despite fighting for a viewing chance given its title and theme.
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