The long-gestating final chapter of Kevin Smith's signature franchise, “Clerks III,” finally brings everyone back for one last ride. Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, and Ben Affleck return for a sequel that sees the gang back together to make a film about their exploits at the Quick Stop Convenience store.

Released 17 years after the second installment, although it does have a cohesive through-line, “Clerks III” feels much more like a “Clerks” retrospective than a true sequel. Even though I know how time works, I was unprepared for how old everyone would look when this film began. With the exceptions of Rosario Dawson, Kevin Smith, and Ben Affleck, who have remained in the public eye since “Clerks II,” seeing some of the other characters look so markedly different was admittedly jarring. The first 10-15 minutes felt disjointed and rough as a result. I suddenly feared that this crew had gone back to the well one too many times. Thankfully, that feeling dissipated, and once I got reacquainted with these characters and they fell back into their familiar roles, the film found its groove.

When Randall suffers a severe heart attack, he decides to memorialize his life by making a film about his experience as the Quick Stop, employing the help of Dante and their various friends and acquaintances. Titled "Inconvenience," this film-within-a-film proves to be a virtual remake of “Clerks,” complete with a bevy of easter eggs, cameos, and recycled jokes from the original (and the greater View Askewniverse). “Clerks III” is 100% dependent on at least having seen the first two films. There are so many references to events in those movies that this one would not be enjoyable if you aren't at least familiar with them. And even though the final act here felt overly saccharine, Smith created a fitting send-off for these characters.

Kevin Smith always wanted to make “Clerks” a trilogy, and with “Clerks III,” he rounds out his story in a way that feels definitive and final. Although casual viewers may not find it appealing, Kevin Smith fans will appreciate the sentimental touch he adds to this closing chapter.

— 3.5 / 5 ⭐