A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)

<<

Christmas List 2024

>>

Harold & Kumar are a couple of stoner characters who my generation may have considered the best stoner duo since Cheech & Chong (who will never be outdone, by the way). Their first film goes down as one of the best stoner movies of all time, bringing actors John Cho and Kal Penn into the spotlight, and essentially being single-handedly responsible for the resurrection of Neil Patrick Harris. And while 'White Castle' is a classic, they also made a couple of less successful sequels - 'Quantanamo Bay' and this, originally entitled with a "3D" in front of "Christmas."

As one might very well expect, this was a much better time at the theatre, as it utilized 3D technology to its advantage which just doesn't pop quite as well on the small screen. The thing is, I know a lot of friends who will insist this movie sucks because the use of 3D is too obvious, like in scenes involving Beer Pong in the accompanying pic. But if I'm honest, I actually like this one more than the second, which was largely repeat jokes and gags from the first with a different spin. This feels like a legit Christmas Special for the stoner duo.

Taking place seven years after their escape from Guantanamo Bay, Harold (Cho) is now married to his originally sought after love interest, Maria (Paula Garcés). He's also a successful businessman on Wall Street, and has since quit smoking weed in order to live his "happily ever after," so to speak. But when Maria's family comes for Christmas, Harold has to put up with an incredibly unfair and tough father-in-law played by the one and only Danny Trejo, and a rather intimidating Latino family who are there to make sure Maria gets the Christmas from the partner she deserves.

Meanwhile, Kumar (Penn) is still the same old Kumar. He still lives in their old apartment and still smokes whenever possible, eventually causing his originally sought after love interest, Vanessa (Danneel Ackles) to leave him. One day, however, she comes along with the news that she's pregnant. Now Kumar may have to look into cleaning up his act in order to be with her again, and father a child. If that's not enough, a package addressed to Harold is delivered to the apartment, causing Kumar to head to his estranged best friend's new, fancy home.

As tradition would have it with Harold & Kumar, disaster strikes almost immediately when, upon delivering the package, and without spoiling too much about what's in said package, one thing leads to another and Harold's Christmas tree gets torched. From this, the stoner journey begins, as film then turns into a once 3D adventure (that they really should bring back to theatres every now and then, just for the 3D) where the goal is to find a new tree before Harold's father in law, who loves Christmas with all his heart, tears 'Roldy a new one.

Going back to my opinion that this is a bit better than 'Guantanamo Bay,' for starters, it goes back to the basic mission idea that shoudln't have so many obstacles. In 'White Castle,' they just wanna go eat at White Castle, and here, they just need to find a Christmas tree. 'Guantanamo Bay' is more about a real journey home after being wrongfully accused of terrorism and sent to Guantanamo Bay - it's just a bit much. They also think outside the box here a bit more, like having a "claymated" scene, illustrating a bad trip.

So, while this may not be quite as good as the original, and its missing the 3D aspect, I would still encourage viewers to give it a chance and not assume that it suffers from the "Trilogy Curse" (where the third one is always the worst/weakest). If you're looking for an honest giggle this Christmas, and you've got yourself some nice MJ by your side, this is still a fun watch that doesn't take itself seriously. It's your classic "throw-your-brain-out-the-window" type of movie, and could make for a cozy stoned night in.

3/5

---