BUENA VISTA has released a "special edition" of "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back".  While this reviewer found the film extremely entertaining for the most part, one must be warned, it's not for most audiences!  To begin with, anyone not familiar with Director/Writer Kevin Smith's brand of humor should really see his earlier films first. If you are turned off by the language/crudities that permeate those films, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" will alienate you even more!  The "F" word is used almost non-stop, and many of the jokes are extremely crude, but they're also quite witty at times. 

The film's biggest drawback for general audiences lies in the fact that most of what's going on is "inside" jokes relating to characters and events from Smith's earlier films.  A restaurant that is visited is straight from "Dogma", there are numerous references to characters from these films to the point where it will simply leave most viewers wondering "what is going on" and feeling left out.

The plot revolves around the main characters finding out that a comic book they were involved with has been sold as a movie vehicle.  It's bad enough they weren't paid for it, but it's even more upsetting to them to find out that there's an underground culture of internet groupies badmouthing them!  The duo set off to Hollywood to prevent the film from being made.  Most of the film focuses on their misadventures, and allows for various cameos and gags.  Shannon Elizabeth is beautiful, as always, as the love interest of Jay.  She's part of a team of girls purporting to be animal rights activists, but with more sinister, self-serving motives.  While she's not nude here, Smith has figured out a way to get her into skin-tight leather later in the film that almost makes up for the lack of nudity disappointment!

As much as this reviewer enjoyed the film, it did  become a little bit tedious by the film's last 10 minutes, so, again, be warned, this isn't for everyone!

As with "Dogma", Smith is experimenting again with 2.35:1 as the film ratio.  He's managed to offer better compositions than he did in his previous efforts, and the aspect ratio is maintained in this transfer with 16:9 enhancement.  The image looks flawless!  The colors are solid and vibrant throughout the film.  There's great detail in every scene and never oversaturation!  Contrast is also excellent, with deep blacks and greys, even in dark scenes. Fleshtones appear natural throughout. 

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is extremely active. There is an abundance of surround effects throughout the film, and while virtually ever speaker gets a workout, dialogue is always sharp and intelligible.  There are a large number of sequences offering great bass moments as well!

The "special edition" is offered as a 2 disc set.  The film and a running commentary are offered on the first disc. The 2nd disc offers a huge amount of supplements.  There is a section offering over an hour of deleted scenes!  While some are quite funny, many are ho-hum, and the introduction to each individual deleted scene is often longer than the scene itself!

The "Gag" reel section, "is" hilarious, and more entertaining than the deleted scenes segment, even though it's much shorter!  There is a great section comprised of four short films Smith has made, offering even better cameos than the film itself!  Add to this still galleries, trailers, and much, much more, and any fans of Smith's work, and especially, "this" film, will be certain to love this "special edition!"