How many really good comedies have you seen in theaters this summer? Considering the sheer amount of movies that have been released this summer, it's actually kind of depressing to think about. But two hungry stoners have come to make all that up.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle owns. Fast-paced, more-often-than-not hilarious, and chock-full of fun characters and memorable sequence, it's the type of movie you'll want to watch a million times and then some�preferably while high.
So, yeah, as the title suggests, there's nothing complicated here: two guys of non-Caucasian ethnicity smoke pot and go on a wacky road trip for White Castle. Well, really, where could it have gone wrong? Don't answer that. In spite of all "road trip movie" logic, this film actually works.
John Cho and Kal Penn star respectively as the movie's heroes, Harold and Kumar. Harold is frustrated because his boss, Mark from Empire Records, just dumped hours worth of paperwork on him on a Friday afternoon. Kumar is frustrated because he has perfect MCAT scores�or something. So what's the remedy? Well, yeah�pot. And�with pot comes munchies and with munchies causes severe lapses in what sounds appetizing and with severe lapses in what sounds appetizing comes White Castle cravings. But the only White Castle is forever away and they need more pot! Thus ensues: roadtrippin'. Pun intended.
It's a risk casting relative unknowns in such a major release, but Cho and Penn pull off every comic moment seamlessly. Though, even they hadn't, they're supported by plenty of celebrity cameos. This movie is entertaining throughout but it really steps up a level into "multiple viewings" territory once Harold and Kumar pull over for a hitchhiker�who turns out to be none other than actor Neil Patrick Harris. From the trailers, the introduction of Harris (star of the shocking 1995 made-for-tv thriller Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story) may just look like a throwaway joke in a seemingly dead-in-the-water comedy, but, as you'll discover about everything you saw in the trailers, it's so much more than that. Or�it's not a lot more. But it's really memorable and touching, and the already delightful movie truly goes all out once Harris�goes out with their car.
As this is a movie composed almost entirely of comic sequences, it's not really important to describe the plot further. But, yeah, watch out for some extreme hand gliding, Wilson-Phillips action, The Gift references, Ryan Reynolds, the best "I love pot" fantasy ever, and a sequence involving a cheetah that would make Cheech and Chong proud. Good times will be had, I can guarantee.
As a critic with great respect for his audience, I will, of course, not reveal the shocking answer to whether or not Harold and Kumar are successful in their venture to White Castle, but I can assure that, by film's end, the fateful journey will change the characters for the better and the self-discovery within will finally lead them to some conclusions about those major life decisions that had plagued been plaguing them since the first reel. But, y'know� it's hilarious self-discovery and cool major life decisions. This movie never gets more serious than the average episode of David Letterman�and I think we can thank the near-lack of female characters. God do women sober things up. Though, worry not, the opposite sex do make enough cameos to fulfill the nudity requirement for a movie such as this, so all is well.
This movie delivers upon anything the trailers promise and far more. While Harold & Kumar hasn't exactly exploded at the box office, this cheap little production has already earned back its budget and I'm guessing it'll fare far better on the home video market, so let's hope we get to see Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam make it to cinemas next summer. And if not, well�fuckin' balls to all y'all. |
