Adam Collins posted on November 04, 2011 07:54
I had no desire to see a third installment in this lucrative franchise after the disastrous Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Yet, it is hard to argue against making another marijuana-filled adventure. The original Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle opened in the summer of 2004 and doubled its $9 million budget. Then it hit it big on the home market, and the sequel was commissioned. Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay opened in the spring of 2008 and made over triple its $12 million budget, and again found success on the home market. It was only a matter of time until another pot-smoking high-induced misadventure would hit theaters.
The thing that drew me to A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas was simply the 3D. Final Destination 5 used and abused it a few months back. So, why not see what more abuse can be thrown at the third dimension? What better franchise to exploit it than this one? In that aspect, A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas brings its 3D A-game.
A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas opens with a bearded Kumar (Kal Penn) cutting in line in front of a bunch of children waiting to sit on a mall Santa’s lap. They go out to Santa’s car, and it is revealed that Santa sells weed. Kumar and Santa (Patton Oswalt) share a joint and the 3D hijinks begin. All the smoke that is exhaled and inhaled is shown in 3D, with smoke rings coming right at you. Kumar then returns to his pigsty of an apartment to finish getting baked. His ex-girlfriend shows up to see how far he has fallen (kicked out of med school for failing a drug test) and to drop the bomb that she is pregnant. After she leaves, a mysterious package arrives at Kumar’s apartment addressed to Harold.
In the meantime, Harold (John Cho) is a successful Wall Street business man, married to Maria (Paula Garces) from the first two films. He is scared of his father-in-law Mr. Perez (Danny Trejo), and tries to earn his respect by decorating the perfect tree for Christmas, after his initial tree is thrown out by Mr. Perez. He has until Maria and her family returns from Midnight Mass to accomplish this. Kumar shows up to drop off the package. In typical H & K fashion, things go terribly wrong, and only get worse.
Neil Patrick Harris returns as himself, even though he was killed in the second film. NPH once again just steals every scene he is in. Elias Koteas (Casey Jones from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) shows up as a feared Ukranian mobster who puts a hit out on our two “protagonists.” Thomas Lennon (Lt. Dangle from Reno 9-1-1) plays the new best friend of Harold, and father of a drug addicted baby. Richard Piehle (Office Space “jump to a conclusion mat” man) plays the real Santa.
With all the craziness, claymation, drugs, drug-addicted kid, nudity (both male & female), vulgarity and a toy called the Wafflebot all in 3D, A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas does not fail to entertain. There is very little depth here, but you aren’t really expecting any, are you? Though nothing will ever compare to the cheetah riding scene in the original, this one has a few memorable moments. The 3D is a helluva good time and does add a little extra. Without it, this film would not be nearly as entertaining. I had modest expectations going in, and they were met, maybe even exceeded. If you are going to see this, I do recommend the 3D premium price. I am just not sure how funny it would be in 2D.
If only this review could be in 3D…
RATING: 6.5/10