High Times? (Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (DVD))

Member Name: samueltyler

Product:	Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (DVD)
Date:	01/05/09 (143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Has some funny moments, silly, biting on occasion

Disadvantages: Too crass, rude, crude and bad to know

I am a fan of 'bad' comedies. By this I mean comedy films that are designed to be brainless, but enjoyable. These films often star Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell. However, within this type of film is a kind that I have never got on with - the stoner comedy. The US seems to be enamoured with marijuana and its effects. Perhaps it's because a lot of the country is warm enough for them to grow their own, but for me the films just don't work. As far back as 'Cheech and Chong' to modern fair like 'Pineapple Express' these films are all about how cool it is to be drugged - not something I can relate to in any meaningful way with 'Vic's Vapour Rub' being the strongest thing in my house. Despite these misgivings I have a soft spot for 'Howard and Kumar Get the Munchies', a 2004 stoner comedy. It had many drug references, but was also irrelevant and crass enough for me to enjoy - could its sequel 'Howard and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay' hold the same average appeal?

After the near death experiences of 'Munchies' you would have thought that Howard and Kumar would be up for some rest. However, when Howard realises that the love of his life has gone to Amsterdam, Kumar persuades him to follow. One midflight bong incident later and the gruesome twosome find themselves in Guantanamo Bay. With not the brightest guards around to stop them, H and K escape and go on a road trip. Their destination is the wedding of Kumar's ex-girlfriend; her fiancé is a man who can clear their name. On the way they will get into trouble once more from Klan meetings to again crossing paths with Doogie Howser, M.D.

'Escape' is a very puerile and stupid comedy film that is chauvinistic and encourages drug use; now for some of the negative aspects. What the film manages to do is intersperse the drug based jokes with enough genuine humour to make them bearable. One thing that did surprise me about the film was the number of quite cutting jokes the film had especially in terms of race and terrorism. The entire concept of setting a comedy around Guantanamo Bay is controversial, but somehow this film pulls it off. The sections around the CIA and FBI are perhaps the most telling as they are both intelligent and stupid in equal measure. In a roundabout way the makers of 'Escape' are trying to say something about the current climate of fear in America, but also be horribly crass.

To try and watch 'Escape' with any notion of intelligent debate would be the wrong thing to do as the film is daft and a little sickening at times. However, as a gross out comedy it actually managed to make me chuckle once or twice. 'Escape' is an 18 certificate and for this reason it goes further in what it shows. There is plenty of nudity on offer, so for people who are offended by this the film is a no-no. However, if you are that type of person I will be shocked if you manage to watch the film long enough to get to the nudey bits!

In terms of comedic presence stars Kal Penn as Kumar and John Cho as Howard are ok. They do the job that is necessary, but are never outstanding. For me the funniest roles are played by cameo appearances. Ron Corddry is very good at playing the stupid American agent and Neil Patrick Harris return as himself was once again good fun. The entire film rattles along at such a pace and with so many different people that you never get the chance to like or dislike anyone too much.

It is hard to say who would really like a film such as 'Howard and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay'. I am a fan of crass comedy and for me this film had enough laughs to make it worth watching, which is saying a lot as the genre is currently filled with overly sexualised and unfunny films. The plot is fast paced and touches occasionally on some interesting ideas, even if they are treated with contempt. This is perhaps a movie best left for lads to watch after they come back from the pub, everyone else may feel too nauseous after watching.


Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Year: 2008
Cert: 18
Starring: John Cho and Kal Penn
Price: Amazon uk £7.78
Play.com £7.99

Extras

There are a few extras on the DVD if you want to watch them including deleted scenes, commentaries and some insights into the world of H and K.

Summary: Suprisingly half decent!