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Bookmark this pagePineapple Express (2008)
Director: David Gordon Green
Movie review
From Time Out London
Hollywood’s relationship with the demon weed has undergone a number of switchbacks over the past century, from the demonic giggling maniacs of ‘Reefer Madness’ to the heroic giggling maniacs of ‘Up in Smoke’. But it’s largely been depicted as a fringe activity for peacenik hippy throwbacks, not average working Joes.‘Pineapple Express’ has its fair share of burn-outs, not least James Franco’s dealer Saul. But our hero is legal process server Dale (Seth Rogen, above), whose daily grind is sweetened by judicious application of the kind leaf. This routine is cruelly shattered, however, when Dale witnesses a murder and is forced to go on the run with only the babbling, perma-stoned Saul for company.
Written by the ‘Superbad’ team of Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Judd Apatow, ‘Pineapple Express’ is a knowing throwback to ’70s stoners-on-the-run comedies, replete with dirty cops, gangsters and manic slapstick violence. But, as directed by indie guru David Gordon Green, the film also displays considerable sweetness, a lightness of touch and a depth of character that set it far above its forebears.
At its heart the film stands as an impassioned love letter to the jazz baccy. A brief midway moment of hazy regret– ‘We’re useless when we’re high!’– is quickly brushed aside, followed by an upbeat scene in which our heroes sell drugs to minors. It climaxes with a marathon shoot-out in a weed warehouse. But there’s still time for a gloriously unexpected coda, a moment of quiet reflection and narrative ingenuity that confirms ‘Pineapple Express’ as the finest comedy of the year.
Author: Tom Huddleston
Time Out London Issue 1986, 11-17 Sept
User reviews of this film
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- Eddie said...
- Posted on Sep 23 2008 17:50 This is just pure awfulness!! I got so bored during this film! I almost fell asleep! It was just not funny!
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- Iraq said...
- Posted on Sep 23 2008 17:04 btw it is one of the funniest movies shwoing now
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- Iraq said...
- Posted on Sep 23 2008 17:02 It is just fantabulous!!
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- rob leese said...
- Posted on Sep 23 2008 14:52 it's a fantastic film ignore all of them
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- Winkle said...
- Posted on Sep 23 2008 13:40 Very....very funny! Ignore all the reviews below!
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- Ian said...
- Posted on Sep 22 2008 17:23 Its got no story line. The acting was terrible. Half the cinema walked out before it ended. Its probably one of the worst comedy I've watched in years!
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- stevie said...
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Posted on Sep 18 2008 19:05
Absolute CRAP.
NOT funny, BORING.....................AVOID AT ALL COST'S. Can you have 0 stars?? - Report as inappropriate
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- herman3871 said...
- Posted on Sep 18 2008 06:33 Now then......curry chips and rice are nice.
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- Trulli said...
- Posted on Sep 17 2008 18:57 Toilet Comedy, Poor Direction. Had a few truly funny moments though
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- Nikki-b said...
- Posted on Sep 17 2008 12:52 I've read all the comments about the film and to be onist, u losers that think its shit o well who cares. u obviously have no sense ov humor and no LIFE. Drugs have a big part in society these days. WICKED film. LOVED it. watched it Twice now and i still laugh my head off everytime.
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- Pineapple said...
- Posted on Sep 17 2008 12:38 FUNNIEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JAMES FRANCO IS A DEAD RINGER FOR JEFF BUCKLEY ITS SO UNCANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVED THIS FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- herman3871 said...
- Posted on Sep 17 2008 07:18 Personally, i rather think that eggs go down well with chips and beans.
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- IS said...
- Posted on Sep 16 2008 19:38 THIS IS THE WORST FILM THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. IT WAS SO BORING IT PUT ME TO SLEEP. HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS DONE BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO MADE SUPERBAD WHICH WAS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MOVIES I'VE EVER SEEN. GO SEE STEP BROTHERS, THAT IS A REAL COMEDY.
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- xxxxxSxxxxxx said...
- Posted on Sep 16 2008 10:46 myt b goin to see this film 2 mawro!! is it any gd??
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- losh said...
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Posted on Sep 15 2008 22:05
oh my god!!!!!this film is so fantastic!!!!!!!!!!
i love james franco and seth rogen-but mainly james franco!!!!such good acting and so funnyyyyyyy!!!!!!
LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Bill Hader, James Remar, Gary Cole, Joe Lo Truglio, Amber Heard, Rosie Perez full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 15
Duration: 111 mins
UK Release: Sep 12 2008
US Release: Aug 6 2008
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