The current trend of mainstream pot use has seen a subsequent rise in main stream stoner comedies. Movies that glorify the pot experience are becoming cool. That's nothing new. Movies have often been a vehicle for what is deemed main stream and provide a portrait of the generation.
Pineapple Express is one of the latest Judd Apatow productions. Since the uber-succesful 40 Year Old Virgin, he's been Hollywood's go-to guy for comedies. His right hand man, Seth Rogen, co-wrote Pineapple Express and one gets the feeling it's a personal one for him. Rogen has always been outspoken about his pot use, so you get the feeling he's put in serious work. It's too bad because honestly, it didn't work for me.
I thought it was genius to cast against type with James Franco and Rogen. The problem is that there really wasn't that much funny. I got more laughs out of the way they acted than anything they said. Rogen coughing after his first hit on the tri-joint was very funny. Franco's body language throughout the whole movie. Yet a lot just did not work. Half of the 'stoned' ad libbing was amusing, but hardly hilarious. The whole concept of spoofing action flicks is good in theory, but is too straight laced and inconsistent to be funny at times. Unless that was the idea. Then I guess all that was accomplished was a poor action flick.
If you're looking to see a great stoner comedy, I guess you could do worse but you can most definitely do better. If you're looking for an action spoof, rent Hot Fuzz. Either way, it's worth a look but I wouldn't take the relationship further.
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