‘Harold and Kumar’ disappoints
By Liz Gartley
I tried to approach Harold and Kumar Escape Guantanamo Bay (sequel to the 2004 stoner-classic Harold and Kumar go to White Castle) the same way I approach trying a new flavor of Hot Pocket: while the original never fails to provide a certain brand of low-brow guilty pleasure, and I know that this new version will only lead to disappointment – and possible stomach ramifications – I can’t help but satisfy my curiosity.
Harold and Kumar Escape picks up directly where White Castle left off, with stars John Cho (the American Pie movies and soon-to-be young Sulu in the new Star Trek movie) and Kal Penn (Kutner on House) returning home after a night of misadventures on a quest for burgers. The duo leave for Amsterdam (as was set up at the end of White Castle), and as the title suggests, they run into some trouble on the way. Harold and Kumar have unfortunate run-ins with the Transportation Safety Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and even the Klan.
But even with my modest expectations, sadly, Harold and Kumar Escape left much to be desired.
Just as the ‘whole grain’ turkey and broccoli lean Hot Pocket probably began with the best of intentions (it’s healthy, but easy and accessible!), but was dreadfully over-ambitious (a ‘healthy’ Hot Pocket? The very notion is an atrocity, akin to making TV educational or a low-cal Twinkie), such was the downfall of Harold and Kumar Escape.
Harold and Kumar Escape tried to fuse a little too much romance (something for the ladies!) and political commentary (let’s make fun of the government!) into a movie that was really meant for silliness and shenanigans and – at most – some subtle commentary on race and ethnic stereotypes (which the first one did surprisingly well). But as I watched, I felt like someone in production realized, ‘Oh no! We can’t make it too girlie! We can’t make it too smart!’ So then they had to double up the pandering.
Ultimately, though – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – there was too much “romance” and not enough crazy hijinks. And the ludicrous gratuitous nudity totally threw me for a loop. Harold and Kumar Escape wasn’t without its moments, but despite the few sporadic chuckles, I left the theater confused and uncomfortable. I had to listen to the Ramones at top volume on my drive home just to cleanse my palate.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a spinach artichoke and chicken Hot Pocket in my freezer waiting for me.
Elizabeth “Liz” Gartley, of Houlton, has a BA in media studies from Emerson College in Boston. She has studied abroad in the Netherlands and Australia, and most recently interned at a production company in Hollywood. She can be reached online at egartley@gmail.com.
