DNfromMN - Movie Review - Pineapple Express
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
Release Date: 8/6/08
The Story: Stoner (Seth Rogen) and his pot dealer (James Franco) get paranoid after witnessing a murder and smoking some weed. Bromance on the run.
My caveat in this review is I have never inhaled. It has been offered to me, but I just passed it on without even thinking about it. I know most of the lingo, but I don’t live in that world. I also haven’t seen any of the classic stoner comedies other than 5-minutes here or there of Dude Where’s My Car. (I’ve always meant to see Harold and Kumar, but it never makes the final cut in the Netflix queue.)
I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. The trailer for this, using M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” was such a perfectly edited thing, that I thought if the movie were HALF as good as that preview, I would be satisfied. It didn’t quite make that benchmark for me.
I like Seth Rogen, but in this he’s a bit more of an ass than usual, and so a little less likeable. Not sure why they went that route with the character, but that’s the way it is.
James Franco, even with dirty teeth, hair, and a couple pounds of weed, is still kinda hot. That his character is desperate for friendship makes him endearing. Honestly, he saved the movie for me.
What It’s Worth: $5.00 if you don’t smoke weed, $10.00 if you do. It’s about half of an hour too long, particularly in the beginning. Way too much set-up. However, that’s where most of the marijuana jokes are and, like I said, not my sense of humor. The crowd I saw this with seemed to be into it though, and was laughing as the theater emptied.
Release Date: 8/6/08
The Story: Stoner (Seth Rogen) and his pot dealer (James Franco) get paranoid after witnessing a murder and smoking some weed. Bromance on the run.
My caveat in this review is I have never inhaled. It has been offered to me, but I just passed it on without even thinking about it. I know most of the lingo, but I don’t live in that world. I also haven’t seen any of the classic stoner comedies other than 5-minutes here or there of Dude Where’s My Car. (I’ve always meant to see Harold and Kumar, but it never makes the final cut in the Netflix queue.)
I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. The trailer for this, using M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” was such a perfectly edited thing, that I thought if the movie were HALF as good as that preview, I would be satisfied. It didn’t quite make that benchmark for me.
I like Seth Rogen, but in this he’s a bit more of an ass than usual, and so a little less likeable. Not sure why they went that route with the character, but that’s the way it is.
James Franco, even with dirty teeth, hair, and a couple pounds of weed, is still kinda hot. That his character is desperate for friendship makes him endearing. Honestly, he saved the movie for me.
What It’s Worth: $5.00 if you don’t smoke weed, $10.00 if you do. It’s about half of an hour too long, particularly in the beginning. Way too much set-up. However, that’s where most of the marijuana jokes are and, like I said, not my sense of humor. The crowd I saw this with seemed to be into it though, and was laughing as the theater emptied.
I've never inhaled either, but I love stoner comedies and I can't wait to see this one! Since it is my sense of humor, I hope I enjoy it more than you did. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Harold and Kumar. LOVED it. AND Half-Baked. AND Friday. I, too, love stoner comedies -- though Dude, Where's My Car? was just mind-numbingly stupid. It's all Ashton's fault.
ReplyDeleteThe Emperor of all Stoner Comedies is Dazed and Confused, though. I don't even think that Up in Smoke is half as good as that movie. D&C has a heart AND a brain, which is rare for a stoner flick.
I also just honestly don't think that Seth Rogan is that amusing, and this plot totally recycles H&K. At least Half-Baked had a policehorse named Buttercup.
And The Guy on the Couch. We've ALL known The Guy on the Couch. Realism goes a long way!
I cannot WAIT to see this movie.
ReplyDeleteProps to you DNfromMN for including your diclaimer about never inhaling. Think that was def necessary with this review.
* disclaimer
ReplyDeleteThanks, dnfrommn!
ReplyDeleteWeed or no weed, hubby and I will probably not pay to see it but will definitely netflix it in a year or so.
A classic take on the "guy on the couch" was Brad Pitt's character in True Romance--anyone see that one?
one question?why would you go see a stoner flick as a non-inhaler?
ReplyDeletethat's dedication DN! lol.
and Ennestine I'm with you, Dude where's my car was an insult to everyone's intelligence and NOT a 'stoner' movie. it was just effin stupid..now D&C is classic.
What about Super Troopers?? HELLO. Fabulous stoner movie in which herb is not necessarily necessary. :)
ReplyDeleteI might rent this when it comes out on DVD. Some stoner humour can be really good, when it's realistic and not too over the top. D&C was a great example - but then again, that was a really great movie all 'round.
ReplyDeleteOh, and selenakyle - "True Roamce" is one of my all time favourite movies, and Brad Pitts finest work to date if you ask me...*L* "...and...some....cleaningproducts!"
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is about this site that makes me completely inept at typing. I think it's the small box in which to type. Like, subconsciously it makes me type only in the middle of the keyboard so I won't go outside the box or something. Pff.
ReplyDeleteStoner movies:
ReplyDeleteUp In Smoke
Nice Dreams
Half Baked
How High
Dazed and Confused (sorta. More of a coming of age film)
Super Troopers
Harold and Kumar
NOT Stoner movies:
Dude Where's My Car
Kind of an alcoholism induced wet brain movie rather than a stoner movie if you ask me.
I did get one good thing out of this review though: the name of that song in the trailer. iTunes here I come.
Selena and Harriet -- "Don't you condescend to ME, MAAAAAN."
ReplyDeleteGod, Brad Pitt really is pretty awesome.
This I will pay to see!
ReplyDeleteThere was this clip of Seth Rogen and James Franco talking about 'stoner' movies. I guess it depends on what you think stoner movies are. I think of them as movies you have to be stoned off your ass to enjoy.
ReplyDeletei finally saw harold and kumar edited on comedy central, that's how behind the times i am (and i did inhale, all five times). was a lot funnier than i thought it would be.
ReplyDeletelove cheech and chong, and have even enjoyed some of rogen's stuff, but this one just didn't look funny to me.
thanks, DN, i won't waste my time!