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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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- usman khawaja said...
- Posted on Sep 14 2008 14:21 mr.dubble bubble -you are the pompous arse who is imposing his pontifications on the non stoner community -and an arse who has no idea as to what is the meaning of pontification too -as for me i am rather not in the mood to watch trashy versions of harold and kumar go to white castle and i think you need some lessons in how to make a point without getting personal to appease your stoner instincts -
- Report as inappropriate
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- DUBBLE-BUBBLE said...
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Posted on Sep 14 2008 08:59
No. no. no. Mr Usman – the problem is not the subject matter. Many good films are based on subjects which are subject to strong debate – such as drug use. The problem is the quality of this film. Understand?
Do not pontificate your pomposity upon those viewers who like Stoner movies. - Report as inappropriate
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- usman khawaja said...
- Posted on Sep 14 2008 00:30 dope and druge dealers are the really awful premise of this dull comedy where stoned adults keep running into trees and cars ,there was no humor or any decent jokes about this sick comedy and only a really sick writer would make a gag out of a fatally injured man with bullet wounds to the abdomen who is bleeding to death ,other than that they wreck cars and toilets with some obligatory jokes about excrement and then everbody gets punched in the balls -it was a really trashy movie and i won't bother to watch it even on cable again .
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- DUBBLE-BUBBLE said...
- Posted on Sep 13 2008 13:28 This should have been a crackjack comedy. Unfortunately it only offers a few belly laughs. If Jay Roach had directed it, I am sure it would have been much much better. The actors are given too much rope in this film and become loose cannons to the detriment of the film. Embarrasing.
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- jason cheshire said...
- Posted on Sep 12 2008 15:45 thought this was a very well thought out film
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- m said...
- Posted on Sep 11 2008 12:59 AMAZINGG!!! it had me in stitches throughout the movie and even the bus ride home!!! great movie
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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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