Lo and behold; Clerks II defies the odds as a sequel that even the most ardent Clerks fans can be happy about. Twelve years after Kevin Smith turned the independent film world upside-down with his $27;000 black-and-white comedy; perpetual slackers Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) return for another raucous romp in suburbia; but this time there's no beloved Quick Stop mini-mart to ensure their low-level employment. Now they're aimless 33-year-olds flippin' burgers at Mooby's; a fast-food joint with a cow theme that's "udderly delicious." Dante's engaged to his long-time girlfriend but has unexpectedly fallen in love with Mooby's manager Becky (and since she's played by Rosario Dawson; can you blame him?); and Randal's still holding out for life; liberty; and the pursuit of low ambition. The responsibilities of adulthood are rearing their ugly head; and with Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) still dealing weed and generally being obnoxious; well... something's gotta give; right? The way Smith has written this long-awaited follow-up; the dilemmas of Dante; Randal; and their ongoing friendship are something that anyone can relate to; and with Dawson lighting up the screen (in a role demanded by producer Harvey Weinstein to boost box-office appeal); the movie's romantic chemistry is surprisingly delightful. Rest assured; also; that Smith (shooting mostly in color this time; on a $5 million budget) hasn't forgotten where he came from: Clerks II is jam-packed with the same lewd; crude humor that made Clerks an indie-film phenomenon; and Smith's good-natured sincerity is still on full display; ensuring that only the most prudish viewers could possibly be offended. For everyone else; this is as enjoyable as any sequel could ever hope to be; with amusing cameos by Smith-movie veterans Ben Affleck and Jason Lee; among others. --Jeff Shannon