Review: Pineapple Express

August 20, 2008 · Print This Article

movie review Pineapple Express.

Arlington (CMR) - Pineapple Express is a unique movie that defies the boundaries of the average genre. Comedy? Yes. Action? Yes. Romance? Well, you could say that. Drugs? Definitely.

It’s hard to squeeze this movie into a recognizable category, but on the plus side, it includes a little something for anyone to enjoy—as long as you have a sense of humor. But if you find nothing funny about two men on the run in a twisted mess over marijuana and bad timing, go watch something that doesn’t push any boundaries… like that Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie coming out soon. (The only limit being tested in that movie will be the audience’s patience.)

Pineapple Express is the newest film produced by Judd Apatow and brought to you by the guys who made Superbad. It is co-written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Rogen also stars as Dale Denton, a process server, hated by many (subpoenas don’t tend to make people happy). To cope with his job, Dale smokes a lot of pot. He gets incredibly good green from dealer Saul Silver, played by James Franco.

When Dale inadvertently witnesses a murder, he tries to get away unnoticed. Unfortunately, he is unsuccessful and worse—he drops part of the special weed he got from Saul, nicknamed “Pineapple Express.” This special strain of marijuana is rare enough to trace, so Saul is in as much danger as Dale. Now, baked and paranoid, the two men struggle on the run from cops and drug lords.

While on the surface Pineapple Express may seem like your average Cheech and Chong/ Harold and Kumar/ Bill and Ted pothead comedy, it offers a little more than dope jokes. Overall, there is some well-written comedy and a few unexpected moments that are practically guaranteed to get you chuckling. Be warned, however, that your laughter may be stifled by a surprising amount of violence. This movie is not as crude as Superbad, but the level of physical violence may have you questioning how it can be considered a comedy.

CMR gives Pineapple Express a rating of 4/5.