This week's pick: "Pineapple Express," an undoubtedly genre-defining stoner comedy from 2008. For those of you who haven't seen it, heard of it or know of it, "Pineapple Express" is essentially a Cheech & Chong film, made in a millennial universe. That is, if we boil it down to bare bones, brass tacks.
If we don't, the film is much, much more than that. It's a bro-mantic, action-packed, pot-filled thriller that takes you on a truly wild ride. Directed by David Gordon Green ("Eastbound & Down"), written by Seth Rogen ("Disaster Artist") and Evan Goldberg ("The Interview"), starring Rogen and James Franco (literally, everything) and produced by the great Judd Apatow (literally everything else), how could it not be a knee slappin' tear-jerker?!
Also, it's new to Netflix this month soooo, that's a thing.
We've found ourselves doing this a lot as of late, and maybe we should start writing about more ~~appropriate~~ movies, but here goes nothin'.
If you plan to watch "Pineapple Express," be well aware that it contains violence, drug use, strong language and other adult themes.
DO NOT watch this movie with your little cousin. Or your little sister. Or anyone under the age of approximately 16 to 18 depending on your better judgment. Their parents will be forced to reprimand you.
That being said, don't let this stuff turn you away. It's silly enough to get a good laugh out of you. We promise.
All you have to do is give it a chance.
What's it about, you ask?
Unhandled
If you aren't up-to-date on all your cannabis varieties and strains (because who the hell is these days am I right?!), Pineapple Express is actually a type of marijuana. According to Leafly.com, it "provides a long-lasting energetic buzz perfect for productive afternoons and creative escapes" which honestly doesn't sound half bad...if it didn't also mean you eat four-and-a-half bags of Doritos and a frozen pizza. But we digress -- back to the matter at hand.
"Pineapple Express" (the movie) is about two guys who 1. Smoke a lot of Pineapple Express 2. Keep finding themselves in the worst possible situations and 3. Manage to escape most of them because of their idiocy, their friendship and their desire to return to their normal, stoned lives. But when it seems like they're finally stuck, finally had and out of gas, Denton realizes how negative an impact constantly smoking marijuana can have on a person's cognitive abilities.
Not to mention all the Doritos and the frozen pizza.
The rest of "Pineapple Express" is a blaze of glory that truly doesn't fail to disappoint. If you grew up watching Cheech & Chong, have any love for Judd Apatow in your heart or just want a good laugh, this is a great Netflix & Chill option for your Wednesday night.
But what makes it <i>different</i>?<div><sup>And why should I care?</sup></div>
There's something about the childlike innocence the characters in "Pineapple Express" exhibit that makes it just f***ing hilarious. These full-grown men act like grade-schoolers and I don't mean in an immature way, they're just...naive, weirdly friendly and accepting. Sure, James Franco smashes a coffee pot into Craig Robinson's face and yeah, Danny McBride gets a bong broken over him, but at the end of the day, they figure it out.
Most of it, that is.
As long as you consider shrugging off a cactus-interrogation...
...a few potentially broken bones...
...and the brute force of a Daewoo Lanos moving at max velocity...
..."figuring it out."
We sure do.
But if you're still on the fence...
- Watch the first 10 minutes of the movie. It's only 10 minutes, you'll survive.
- Watch the trailer below!
- Check out "The Interview," also from Rogen & Franco (also on Netflix).
- Use it as a trip back to your "hippie" days. P.S. If anyone here went to Woodstock, we want to hear about in the comments below.
- Bookmark this article and come back to it sometime you're feelin' down. "Pineapple Express" is a great pick-me-up.