Dude... Kal Penn and John Cho return in Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay (Warner Bros.)
By Tony Galindo
Four years after the original, Harold and Kumar 2: Escape from Guantanamo Bay is set to open in theaters Friday April 25th. Though four years has passed since the release of the first film, the sequel picks up right were we left off at the end of the first movie as Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) prepare for Amsterdam in search of the girl of Harold's dreams. After meeting up with a new love interest of Kumar's at the airport the boys are finally on their way. A little later when we see the boys on the plane Kumar has the brilliant idea to test out his new invention -- the smokeless bong. Not being able to wait till they arrive at the "weed" capital of the world, he lights up in the bathroom only to be spotted by a paranoid old lady who yells out, "Bomb!" It is this incident that makes everyone think the boys are terrorists. This causes their arrest and they are sent to prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But they are only there for what seems like five minutes before they escape and must seek help from friends to help clear their names and finally get on to Amsterdam.
Again, I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I signed up to review this movie, although I already knew what the first Harold and Kumar film was about and what this one could be like. The theater for the preview screening was packed and full of rambunctious fans as we got ready to enjoy the film. Beach balls were being tossed around the theater, hit left and right; people were fighting for seats; and many were jumping up and down at the chance to get free Harold and Kumar stuff that was being thrown into the audience.
This movie turned out to be just like the original. You have your tasteless comedy, drugs, and of course Neil Patrick Harris playing Neil Patrick Harris. It delivered well on the funny factor with a scene involving George Bush hiding from Cheney, and heading off to go light it up with the boys. There was also the racist comedy -- poking fun at the KKK and racial stereotypes held by the government officials -- that you could enjoy.
These two aspects have been present in both this film and the previous one I reviewed, Zombie Strippers . Everyone seems to be getting their last shots at Bush before he leaves office and we have someone new to make fun of.
I enjoyed this movie -- what can I say it was funny and it made me laugh. Though rated R for obvious reasons (strong use of drugs and some nudity), it was a fun time -- you know being in a crowd with people constantly yelling 4-20! Definitely something I would go see just for fun.
-- Tony Galindo is a senior at Mount Miguel High. He was recently accepted at the Art Institute of San Diego where he wants to major in game art design and pursue a career in environmental design. Writing is a hobby of his as well as watching movies, so he thought it would be great to be able to share his opinions on film with people.
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