Pineapple Express (15)

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Action and adventure

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Tue Sep 9 2008

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

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UK release:

Fri Sep 12 2008

Duration:

111 mins

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(31 ratings)

An amusing stoner comedy that offers more entertainment and laughs than Cheech and Chong. It's heavy-handed attempts at being "touching" just seem out of place. Hopefully David Gordon Green will use the profits to make another dark, southern drama, the sort of thing that gave him a rep in the first place.

Tom Sat Feb 27 2010
Rated as: 3/5
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The lamest film I have seen for quite some time. Appallingly bad. What the hell was Seth thinking?

Marty Fri Jan 22 2010
Rated as: 1/5
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unbelievably funny movie. but also touching, heartfelt, just so real in the emotions. breath of fresh air. it is of course adult material with the whole weed plot. but it's more real than most everything out there. super well acted, scripted, and directed. so refreshing.

wt anderson Wed Jul 15 2009
Rated as: 5/5
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It's amazing how accurately I can judge whether I will like someone based on whether they liked this movie or not. I find that people who didn't find it funny, aren't funny. It's also an extremely well put together movie - great performances, extremely funny, cinematically referential, empathetic and great looking.

JC Fri May 22 2009
Rated as: 5/5
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Dumb. I used to want to meet Seth Rogen but having seen his last three movies I fear I know him already.

panthro Tue Mar 3 2009
Rated as: 1/5
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It was pretty crap. Didn't work as a thriller or a comedy. The only joke seemed to be guys talking to each other like boyfriend and girlfriend, and Seth Rogan was annoying. it's hard to take Seth Rogan seriously when he's trying to be serious, 'cause his fat face sort of jiggles, And the school girl girlfriend thing? What was that about?

Andrew Sat Jan 24 2009
Rated as: 1/5
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watching this. I laughed.... Alot. Unfortunatly, I was also dying for a joint ;)

Hernandez Tue Jan 13 2009
Rated as: 5/5
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This film has all the elements of a great comedy and more. Funny from start to finish, even my mother loved it and it seemed the entire cinema did too. Laugh a little, Laugh a lot.

criticsschmitics Tue Jan 13 2009
Rated as: 5/5
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an interesting twist on 'stoner comedy', still have to be stoned to think its funny tho. pretty average

Nicola Sat Nov 29 2008
Rated as: 2/5
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This makes the BIG LEBOWSKI look like Citizen Kane. Whereas SUPERBAD was a very funny film about teenagers growing up in spite of their best efforts, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS seems to be all about adults regressing back into adolescence. That would be fine, except that you get the impression that the whole cast and crew got stoned up, forgot to bring in the script and ended up improvising the whole thing. And they thought that it was hilarious. I didn't.

Sean Ellis Sat Nov 8 2008
Rated as: 3/5
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Pineapple Express (15)

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