Audiences are lovingClerks III, the latest movie to come fromKevin Smith. The third installment of theClerksmovie series, the sequel goes back to where Smith’s career began with its setting in Quick Stop Groceries where the first movie was shot. Taking inspiration from Smith’s real life, the film follows Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) putting together a movie about his life as a Quick Stop clerk with the help of co-worker Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and the eccentric locals of Leonardo, New Jersey.
After hitting theaters this month,Clerks IIIhas been drawing some fairly mixed reactions from critics, landing with a score of 62% Fresh on the Tomatometer atRotten Tomatoes. However, the audience score for the film is much higher, showing that your average filmgoer is enjoying the comedy sequel much more than some of the critics.Clerks IIIcurrently has an audience score of 94%, a new career-high for Smith as a director. This is followed byJay and Silent Bob Rebootat 93%,Clerksat 89%,Dogmaat 85%, andClerks IIat 84%. If you’re curious, the originalClerksranks as Smith’s highest-rated film on the Tomatometer, with critics giving that film a 90% rating.
“You will love this movie,” one person said in a user review. “In typical Kevin Smith style, he makes you feel nostalgic and makes you laugh and cry. The first few minutes I was thinking about how he was selling us the same old characters and situations again, but shortly after that I became completely immersed until the end. I was so immersed that I was able to forget the fact that the man with the longest skull I have ever seen sat directly in front of me.”
Another viewer added, “A bit more emotional than I was expecting considering the world these characters have been living in, but wonderfully done. Lots of fan service and inside jokes that will be appreciated by long-term viewers.”
“I’m thankful Kevin Smith has invited us into his journey of maturation,” another viewer stated in a review. “In truth, I was not expecting this. A few ups, a few downs, and plenty of laughs were my baseline expectations. What we have been gifted with is a heartfelt, and deep tribute to his fans, characters, past, future, and the success he has been granted from them. It’s a wild, wild ride.”
And someone else puts it, “More emotional than I was expecting. If you’re a Kevin Smith Fan, you’ll love it. But even if you’re not, there is a lot of character development and the topics are universally relatable (after a certain age). See it with someone you love, either a spouse or a hetero life mate. Snoochie Boochies.”
Related:Exclusive: Rosario Dawson Discusses the Surprising Way She Returns to Clerks 3
Clerks III Goes Back to the Quick Stop
Kevin Smith wrote and directedClerks III. It’s a film that has been in gestation for years, as Jeff Anderson (Randal) did not want to get involved witha previous version of the sequelthat Smith was planning. After Smith suffered a heart attack, he felt inspired to write a new screenplay forClerks IIIthat had convinced Anderson to get on board.
Clerks IIIalso stars Brian O’Halloran, Trevor Fehrman, Austin Zajur, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Rosario Dawson, Veronica Ghigliotti, and Amy Sedaris. Various celebrities, such as Ben Affleck and Justin Long, also make special appearances.
Clerks IIIis playing in theaters courtesy of Fathom Events through Sept. 25. Kevin Smith is also taking on the road through what’s called “The Convenience Tour.” To get tickets, head on over tothe official website forClerks III.
