Writer/director Kevin Smith has populated his latest film — the last one set in his "View Askewniverse" — with characters from every movie he’s made since his "Clerks" debut. If you’re a fan, this flick is like the coolest family reunion you’ve ever attended. If you’re new to View Askew, the movie may play like the world’s longest in-joke. Even so, it’s still pretty damn funny.

My appreciation of Smith’s work has been well documented on this site. I really enjoy his films and admire how his career is basically a fan boy’s dream come true. Here’s a guy that was jockeying a cash register less than 10 years ago and now he’s making movies, writing comic books and has his own action figure. Some critics argue that Smith’s content is puerile and his films lack any visual style. To them, I simply say "snootchie bootchies!"

Anyone who obsesses over the bluer aspects of Smith’s dialogue is missing the point. Amidst all the "Star Wars" references and raunch, Smith’s films have explored contemporary issues and relationships with insight, heart and humor. However, he’s decided to forego exploring anything beyond making his audience laugh with this latest flick.

Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back is a bawdy version of The Muppet Movie.

Smith has established a fairly strong continuity amongst his films by having characters related to each other and events in one movie affect those in another. After this film, he’s vowed to move beyond the "View Askewniverse" and is wrapping the whole thing up with "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." But instead of making the entire movie about closing the book on these characters — hurriedly tying off plot threads as he goes — Smith has crafted a wacky road movie. It’s more "farewell party" than "farewell."

The movie begins in Smith’s beloved Red Bank, NJ at the fabled stores: Quick Stop Convenience and RST Video. After a brief prologue where we witness the beginning of Jay and Silent Bob’s friendship — seems they were destined at birth to be buds — we learn that the duo (played again by Jason Mewes and Smith himself) are soon to be the subject of a major motion picture. Well, not them exactly, but the characters of Bluntman and Chronic that they inspired back in "Chasing Amy." Since they haven’t seen a dime from this deal, Jay and Silent Bob go off to take care of business.

They confront comic book artist Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck reprising his role from "Chasing Amy"), who informs them that he sold his share of the characters to his former partner, "tracer" Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Banky then sold the movie rights so he’s the guy to see about any dough. To illustrate his point, Holden shows them the latest buzz about the flick on the Internet — a medium that Jay treats with utter contempt. How dare a bunch of strangers pass judgment on him and his hetero lifemate — even if they are just slamming a couple of imaginary characters inspired by them. The Internet ticking someone off? Whoduhthunkit?

Writer/Director Kevin Smith has made a movie that's like a visit from old friends.

Jay and Silent Bob hit the road to Tinseltown in order to derail the movie and the subsequent Internet chatter. Along the way, they hook up with a quartet of comely jewel thieves, "liberate" an orangutan from a research lab, get mistaken for eco-terrorists, and then find themselves pursued by a bungling federal wildlife marshal (played by Will Ferrell from "Saturday Night Live"). Their adventures come together like a bawdy version of "The Muppet Movie" featuring a bearded Kermit the Frog and foul-mouthed Fozzie Bear.

Our ragtag heroes finally make it to Hollywood, where they sneak onto the studio lot in search of the "Bluntman and Chronic" set. Jay and Silent Bob blunder from one production to the next, allowing for wry send-ups of "Good Will Hunting," the "Scream" movies and plenty of good-natured jabs at Ben Affleck. Upon reaching their destination, they wreak havoc as only two slackers from Jersey can. It’s a smackdown that includes a sci-fi film icon, the inept marshal and the shapely jewel thieves.

Funny, FUNNY stuff.

Working in comic books seems to have liberated Smith’s storytelling. He’s less bound by conventions this time out. He’s more visually ambitious, using more special effects and crafting wild fantasy sequences ala his lamented "Clerks" cartoon. He’s got a "no holds barred approach" to the entire movie, which only adds to the giggle factor. Some of the more outlandish scenes include our boys introducing a certain group of meddling kids to the joys of herbal refreshment and Jay (God bless him) making out with the bodacious Shannon Elizabeth ("American Pie" and its sequel).

The entire cast is first rate. Jason Mewes will probably never play Hamlet, but he’s a kick as the loquacious Jay. He continues to add layers to what could easily be seen as a one-note character. The aforementioned Shannon Elizabeth gets a chance to do more than just play the hot chick as Jay’s love interest. Okay, she’s still playing a hot chick, but at least this time she’s a hot chick with a little personality and some funny lines. Ferrell nails his role as Marshal Willenholly (Smith gets props for finding a creative way to reference "Land of the Lost"), playing him to Barney Fife perfection. And then there’s Suzanne, the orangutan. ANY movie is better with a monkey in it.

Just for the record: I know that an orangutan is an ape, but I LOVE typing the word "monkey."

MONKEY! MONKEY! MONKEY!

Okay, I’m done now. Back to the review.

Smith’s indie cred has also enabled him to attract some intriguing star power in hilarious cameos. In addition to Affleck, Lee and a swarm of talent returning from previous View Askew films, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" includes moments with Carrie Fisher, Wes Craven, Jon Stewart, Judd Nelson, Jason Biggs, James Van Der Beek, and Mark Hamill. Then there’s the young lovelies playing the jewel thieves: the alluring Eliza Dushku ("Bring It On"), Ali Larter ("Varsity Blues") and Jennifer Schwalbach (Mrs. Kevin Smith). YOWZA!

YOWZA!

"Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" is not bravura filmmaking. It’s mainly a collection of sight gags and dumb laughs. This flick doesn’t make any grand statements or shake the pillars of the cinematic community. But it sure is a lot of fun. You know, sometimes you just need drop all those fancy pretensions and laugh your ass off.

I’m giving this movie five popcorns because it’s a zany, raunchy, goofy good time. And we don’t have enough of those in this life. Smith has made a movie that feels like a visit from old friends. Those guys that can still make you laugh until milk shoots out your nose — no matter how "mature" you think you’ve grown. Farewell, Jay and Silent Bob. Thanks for the memories.