Movie ReviewBy Courtney L. Woods

Kevin Smith has done it again. He has finally brought his famous supporting characters to the forefront in their own film, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” This is Smith’s fifth venture with the drug-dealing, pop culture crazy, expletive-spouting antiheroes Silent Bob and Jay (actually Bob doesn’t spout expletives, nor does he even talk, hence the “Silent”; however, when he does speak, it is usually something insightful). This film is a far cry from 1994’s “Clerks,” the witty, black and white, subversive indie film classic.

While it isn’t as artsy as “Clerks,” it does take the audience back to where it all began — the Quickstop in New Jersey where Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) still hang out, smoke, rap, and annoy every passerby. That is, until they get slapped with a restraining order! Forced to find another hangout, Jay and Silent Bob just happen to find out that the comic based on themselves, Bluntman and Chronic, is being made into a movie. Irate that they will not be receiving any royalties or even credit, the infamous duo rushes off to Hollywood to stop the movie and save their reputations.

Overall, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” is a spoof. Kevin Smith mimics Scooby-Doo, Star Wars, The Usual Suspects, and even his own films (“Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy” and “Dogma”) in a very humorous manner. The actors spoof themselves and even the studio that released this film, Miramax, allows itself to be aped. There are even a few subtle blows from Smith to “Magnolia” director Paul Thomas Anderson, whom Smith reamed on his View Askew Web site last year.

The greatest thing about this movie is the returning characters from the other Smith films. I suggest you rent the other Kevin Smith movies before seeing this one so youÕll get all the inside jokes and references.

GRADE: B