Much like the preceding .5 releases, Grandpa .5 shows production peeks and “cutting room” footage with interjected commentary from assorted cast and crew members, including: directory Jeff Tremain, Johnny Knoxville, executive producer Spike Jonze, among others. Up front, the guys take some time to talk about the evolution of Irving Zisman, the cantankerous elder that Johnny embodies after the several hour transformation is complete. The film shows stills of the different stages of Irving, going from the final season of the show in 2001, through the other films, to now. It is quite the revelation to see just how much more time, attention, and funding has gradually went in to make Irving much more “life like.” Gone are the days of a rubber mask with some glue and a crazy wig. Now, dozens of individual “pieces” are added to the head, neck, and face; complete with airbrushing to allow for full range of movement. The process has gotten so intricate, that it’s almost impossible to “see” Johnny underneath the extensive work that was done each morning of the 60 day principle photography period. So much so, that head designer Stephen Prouty was nominated for an Academy Award this past March in the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category. As middle brow as “the Academy” usually is when it comes to selecting what films are up for Oscars each year, it really speaks to the level of proficiency and artistry that a Jackass film made the ballot.
Another production aspect that was explained in decent detail was the ways they upped their efforts to hide cameras during the “candid” scenes, when bystanders unknowingly become the butt-end of the joke. Longtime Jackass crew member Dimitry Elyashkevich got the nod as director of photography, and worked in tandem with art director J.P. Blackmon on “camera hides.” The first days of shooting displayed poorly conceived ways that didn’t conceal them very well at all. After a mid-production “rally,” the team got way more creative, which in turn kept everyone in frame “on the hook” for the length of each bit. This kind of access into the creative process is what continues to make these dedicated “extras” laden .5 releases so valuable and interesting to the Jackass collection.
The defining feature that separated Bad Grandpa from the other films was how there was a constant narrative thread that tied all the stunts and gags in place. Irving’s journey with his grandson Billy would almost be considered heartfelt if not for all the indecent humor. With the vignette style of the traditional films, 2.5 and 3.5 showed stuff that didn’t make the theatrical cut, but would have fit in okay within 2 and 3 ‘s motifs. Grandpa .5 ‘s main stock is ideas that would have felt wedged in to the cross country venture, namely the women in Irving’s life. Catherine Keener was one of the headline actors of Bad Grandpa, but gets very little screen time (none of which she plays someone alive). A good portion of this release highlights incredibly funny scenes with “Ellie” that shows the actress at her best, in an improv element. A main piece with Irving and Ellie was bringing in multiple representatives from different funeral homes to sit down with the two of them and discuss her anticipated passing. The awkward situations that Knoxville and Keener perpetuate are absolute gold, particularly when the funeral professional gets chatty along with them.
Another “lady” in the old man’s life is Gloria. Jackass veteran Spike Jonze has portrayed Gloria about as long as Johnny to Irving, so the sets filmed for the intended inclusion into Bad Grandpa felt oddly familiar. The best of the bunch is when they set up an online dating profile for Gloria and have random guys meet her out for a dinner date. During the bit, she “run into” old high school acquaintance Irving at the restaurant, who barges in when it looks like the dude is getting ready to put his moves down. Naturally, most of the men that agreed to the meet up didn’t agree to sign a release form so their face could be used in the film. Although, hearing Jeff Tremain speak to how ridiculous some of the men’s advances were towards what they believe to be a woman in her 80s is equal parts amusing and disturbing.
The look/sound quality of the Blu-ray is really good, as (surprisingly) is all of the discs in the series. Seeing the artistry done on Knoxville, Keener, and Jonze in “full” 1080p verifies the high praise lobbed at the design team. While not that large of a contingency, Grandpa .5 has a Special Features section with some worth while entries. “Round Table Interview” features Tremain, Knoxville, and Jonze discussing the origins and conventions of Irving Zisman, how the character has progressed from the show throughout the films, and what makes an impromptu moment go from average to great. “Casting Billy” spends a few moments with Jackson Nicoll and the way he had to officially land the gig. There are also deleted scenes and an outtakes reel.