Not being a stoner, there’s a good amount of humor in the Harold & Kumar movies that has never spoken to me. Their first movie – Harold & Kumar go to White Castle – was just fine and the second – Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanemo Bay – was a time-waster, but their new one – A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas – gets this druggy duo into their funniest bit of shenanigans yet.
Harold and Kumar have been estranged for two years. Now married, Harold is a successful Wall Street banker. He and his wife own a beautiful home in suburbs and are trying to get pregnant. Kumar’s life has headed in the opposite direction. His only ambition is to contantly be high. His girlfriend left him three months ago, he was kicked out of medical school for failing a drug test and his life is in pieces.
When a mysterious package arrives at Kumar’s apartment addressed to Harold, the two are forced back together in night of unbelievably insanity – lots of drugs, dangerous gangsters, a resurrected Neil Patrick Harris, a loveable waffle-making robot and plenty of events that reforge their friendship.
Sure, there’s just as much stupid and over-the-top stoner comedy as there is in the previous two, but there’s also a good amount of humor that will make the masses laugh and a unexpected amount of heart. The best jokes of all are those that break the fourth wall – NPH saying, “See you in the fourth one,” characters referring to Harold as Sulu and Kumar as a guy who works in the White House, et cetera. Being a needlessly 3D movie, bashing on the over-used technology happens frequently.
If you’ve never seen a Harold & Kumar movie, imagine a modern day interracial Cheech and Chong. Drugs, nudity, sex, violence and foul language ensue. If those things speak to you, if you find stoner comedies hilarious, then A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas is right up your alley.
