MovieChat Forums > Dogma (1999) Discussion > View Askewniverse-does Dogma fit in?

View Askewniverse-does Dogma fit in?

posted 14 years ago by sknywhtboy88
8 replies | jump to latest

Now I love Dogma, it was Kevin Smith's first film that I ever saw, it's as hilarious as it is a good captivating story. However does it really fit into the View Askewniverse? It always stands out to me as the only movie is the series with any fantasy elements. Aside from that there is little connection between it and the other films (like for example, references to characters like Rick Derris, Caitlin Bree or the Jones sisters; Julie Dwyer's death; Cousin Walt, referencing events that took place in other films) and alternatively, neither of the later films reference the events of Dogma(wheras Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back made frequent reference to all three of the other previously released movies and even featured cameos from several characters in those, but not Dogma). I propose that Dogma does not take place in the View Askewniverse, and take place on some other plane of continuity where the known similarity is that Jay and Silent Bob exist, similar to the way that Clerks:TAS clearly takes place on a separate level of continuity as the View Askewniverse, where while it is unknown how much the events featured in the films are canon within the cartoons continuity it is very clear that the events of the cartoon hold no consequence to the film continuity.

[–] jaysilentbob37 14 years ago

It fits in. There are plenty of references to the other movies laced throughout, but since the story is on a somewhat larger scale, there isn't as much room for them in Dogma. But the references that are there are blatant enough so that their quantity doesn't matter. Dogma is very much a part of the View Askewniverse.

[–] dsimpsons1 14 years ago

Yeah, technically it does. I see what you mean, though. Where Smith's other films attempt some sort of reality, this one has God and angels and demons, etc. But, that's movie reality for you. It just takes that suspension of disbelief to tie it all together.
Actually, do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a copy of a graphic novel called Chasing Dogma. Kevin wrote it and it's meant to be an extended universe/interconnection of Chasing Amy and Dogma. It all about Jay and Silent Bob and the story starts with them leaving the diner in Chasing Amy and the story ends with them in the parking lot of the abortion clinic in Dogma. It's a fun and bizarre story that will later lend some of its elements to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Just a cool little comic that connects everything up for you.

[–] ni-knight-mp 14 years ago

My favorite Dogma reference in later films is Jay, in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, talking about Jungle Love being written by God herself.

They're talking about fictional characters. FICTIONALCHARACTERS!

[–] sknywhtboy88 14 years ago

See, it's stuff like that, little nods instead of flat out references. Jay and Silent Bob never say "Hey remember that time we saved existence?"
I love Dogma, but to me it's basically like a DC elseworlds story. It takes the familiar characters of Jay and Silent Bob and places them in a different setting outside continuity. I realize it's just my interpretation, but even if Kevin Smith himself told me to frack off and that by word of god, Dogma is 100% in continuity with the rest of the movies, I just couldn't think of it that way.

[–] ni-knight-mp 14 years ago

Then don't. Just think of it however you want and enjoy without worrying about what it's supposed to be

They're talking about fictional characters. FICTIONALCHARACTERS!

[–] ghdude3 13 years ago

I think that Dogma fits in the View Askewniverse. There is a reference to it in J&SBSB. Jay says, "Written by God Herself," when talking about Jungle Love

[–] audiopinions 12 years ago

It most definitely fits in. Mooby is a clear example of this. It's a false idol in this film and J+SB visit a Mooby's to eat. They also visit a Mooby's in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Clerks 2 takes place exclusively at a Mooby's, which is where Jay and Silent Bob are hanging out.

Also, we see Grant Hicks, whose family members are in the other movies (Dante is in Clerks 1+2 and JSBSB while Gil is in Mallrats)

[–] carbondate 10 years ago

the only movie is the series with any fantasy elements

Silent Bob grabs a light saber with the Force in J&SBSB during his fight with Cock Knocker and Jay actually cuts off Cock Knocker's prop hand with one. Also, he has a Batman-style grapple hook gun which he uses in both J&SBSB and Mallrats.

There are plenty of fantasy elements (or sci fi, in the case of the grapple hook gun and light sabers) in the View Askewniverse. Kevin Smith just doesn't always employ them.