Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay – movie review

Cast: Kal Penn

Studio: Fox

Rating: 6/10

Corporate line:
“Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” marks the triumphant return of these two hilarious, slacker anti-heroes. The movie stars John Cho (American Pie I & II, American Dreamz) as Harold and Kal Penn (Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj, Epic Movie) as Kumar, two stoners who can’t seem to get a break. Their last adventure found them traveling across country to find a White Castle hamburger in order to satisfy a weed-induced case of “the munchies.”

This time, the boys get themselves in trouble trying to sneak a bong on board a flight to Amsterdam. Now, being suspected of terrorism, they are forced to run from the law and try to find a way to prove their innocence. What follows is an irreverent and epic journey of deep thoughts, deeper inhaling and a wild trip around the world that is as “un-PC” as it gets.

The review:
There have been plenty of pro-war movies and a few anti-war documentaries–but no one has recently made a comedy that takes shots at all the parties involved–at least not like “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.” This isn’t going to be called a “smart” comedy and it doesn’t have to be–because comedy fans only want a funny movie. These potheads only care about getting their buzz while dealing with a whole range of odd characters. One of the best characters is Neil Patrick Harris. Harris reprises his hilarious role and once again kills. Rob Corddry, who plays the Homeland Security Chief, is hilarious as the dumbass racist.

And of course there are plenty of dick jokes, drugs and nudity to spare. They had to fill in the gaps with something. So instead of writing endless jokes they went for the truly absurd and hoped it would get them through–and on occasion it works.

Finally:
The ultimate question is whether the movie is as good as the first–it is. “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” isn’t going to win any awards–but it sure is funny as hell.