I’m not a fan of so-called “stoner comedies” like Dazed & Confused, Dude, Where’s My Car?, or even Fast Times at Ridgemont High, so I wasn’t in any rush to check out 2004′s entry into the genre, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. But over the years, this film has developed a pretty strong cult following, and since I now watch star Kal Penn in the TV series House and co-star Neil Patrick Harris in How I Met Your Mother, I figured I would give this film a try. All I can say is, it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be!
Plot summary (with possible spoilers): Harold (played by John Cho) and Kumar (Penn) are twenty-something roommates who like to get high in their free time. One night after smoking some weed, they inevitably get the munchies. Harold reaches for the phone to order some takeout, but Kumar is tired of that. He wants something else, something that would make for a more substantial meal. Just then, a commercial for White Castle comes on TV, so the two decide to head out for some sliders.
The problem with this plan is that neither of them have been to White Castle in years, so they’re not really sure where the closest one is. Kumar remembers one being near a mall or something, but when they arrive, there’s a different burger joint there instead. The two friends debate for a minute about whether they should settle for these burgers or continue on to White Castle, and of course they decide to drive on.
The rest of the film then deals with the various misadventures that Harold and Kumar get into as their simple trip to White Castle turns into an all-night experience that they won’t soon forget.
My Reaction: I didn’t really have any expectations about what this film would be like, so I ended up not having a strong reaction to it one way or the other. There were some funny moments along the way, along with some dumb ones, and a few scenes that were downright inexplicable (like that whole thing about riding on a cheetah). At least the two main characters were likable, and, at just 88 minutes long from opening title to end credits, the film certainly didn’t overstay its welcome.
I have to say that I was disappointed with Neil Patrick Harris’ appearance here. I’d heard so many things about how funny he was, but I thought his scenes were boring. He’s 100 times funnier as Barney Stinson — though I did notice that he brought some of his mannerisms from this film to his role on HIMYM. That was interesting.
Overall, I thought Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle was a decent flick, and give it 3 stars out of 5. I’m not a stoner, so that’s my opinion after watching the movie while stone cold sober. Your mileage may vary depending on your, ahem, state of mind at the time of viewing!
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