Joel Siegel doesn't know what he's missing. Yes, there were a couple of times when I wanted to puke, but, rather unexpectedly, Clerks II is the best time I've had at the movies all summer. If I were you, I'd rush out to see it this weekend, because it's best experienced with a theater full of Kevin Smith fans, who will respond on cue to every Star Wars riff and cringe-inducing sexual reference. With the wrong audience, this movie would be unbearable. With the right one, it's a party.

Smith has grown considerably as a director, by the way. He effortlessly handles a large cast of old friends, a rich soundtrack, and an impromptu musical number, and you know what? He'll never admit it, but he clearly learned a lot from Magnolia.