Friday, May 16, 2008

Movie Review: Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (feel the "Need for Weed")


After 2004’s “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle,” I’ve always shared their “need for weed,” or at least for their sequel. What started off as “H&K Go To Amsterdam,” has been eagerly anticipated by guys like me who want to plop down and turn their brains off for an hour and so.

Lo and behold, the sequel has arrived!

While the trailers have already been enough cause for celebration, it was also coupled with the apprehension that the sequel will only destroy the sweet, lingering, weed-laced aftertaste of “White Castle.” It didn’t. But despite having become an official fan of the moronic character stereotypes of “Harold and Kumar,” and despite having waited for as long as I have, I must admit that while I enjoyed the flick, I still found “White Castle” the “better joint.”

The movie picks up right where the previous one left off. Supposedly mere moments after Harold (John Cho) gathers up his scrawny Asian balls and kisses hottie neighbor Maria (Paula Garces). Naturally, they decide to follow Maria all the way to Amsterdam, where Harold can profess his geeky Asian love for Garces’ Latina love-goddess.

As expected, nothing goes according to plan, and a handful of racist jokes later, they get thrown into Guantanamo Bay (I’m not telling you anything you don’t know yet, right?). They proceed to stage their accidental escape, try to cross a few states on the way to a friend who can help clear them, enjoy a joint along the way (with the President of the U.S.A. no less…), and they all live happily stoned ever after.

Think the plot’s simple? Hell, if you think you’re buying a ticket to a tightly-plot story that encourages good morals, racial equality, and staying drug-free, then maybe you’re already stoned.

Oh, and stay until after the credits. There’s a surprise. But it doesn’t have Samuel L. Jackson.

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