It took me a few days to finish it, but I instantly watched the sequel to "An Evening with Kevin Smith" on Netflix, entitled "An Evening with Kevin Smith, Vol. 2 - Evening Harder." Sheesh. First of all, what a bad title. We couldn't do any better, Kev?
Four years later, Kevin Smith decides to try to repeat the success of his first DVD pseudo-documentary by filming two Q&A sessions he gives to audiences in Toronto and London. While still funny and sometimes touching, this volume loses some of the magic for me because it's clearly contrived and staged for a DVD film. The college talks he gave in the first DVD were more organic as lectures on a college circuit, were edited for hilarious effect, and showed K. Smitty pre-Jersey Girl, so he had not yet been humbled by pure critical and commerical failure (for the record, I don't think Jersey Girl is really that bad). Now, he's more grown up, more sober (literally and figuratively), but also has a hint of ego about him that wasn't present before. I don't know why that is.
Still, Kevin is funny, and some of the questions, particularly in the Toronto session, have hilariously witty (and of course, profane) answers. There is still liberal use of the "f" word and penis synonyms, but there is clearly a very staged aspect to this one, as the creators are obviously trying to recreate the success of the first DVD, only to fall somewhat short in spirit and originality. Not unlike any sequel, really.
I still liked this one, though I am not sure if it passes the test enough for me to buy it. Maybe if I break down enough to buy Clerks II, I'll buy this.
At least, Jason Mewes is sober here too. And those Brits are so polite in their questions (though they also feel quite obliged to match Smith on his linguistic preferences). And Kevin Smith's faux accent is halfway decent. I'm just saying that I'm glad I didn't go anywhere special to buy or rent this flick, but it was good for a few laughs, like Kevin Smith and his films consistently are.