I caught this yesterday at a matinee showing. I'm glad I only paid $5.75 because it ended up being a very disappointing film.
The first half hour was great. Rogen and Franco have good chemistry together onscreen and the scenes of them talking and sitting around getting high were the best part of the movie.
Unfortunately, that all goes out the window once the film kicks into action mode. Rogen's character witnesses a murder and then he and Franco go on the run to avoid the killers.
That might sound good on paper but it doesn't really work here. It becomes a completely different movie once the shooting and action scenes start.
It's supposed to be funny, but for a stoner comedy there's an incredible amount of brutal violence in it. Don't get me wrong, I love me some good violence, but the violent scenes are so graphic, you wonder what they're doing in this comedy.
Imagine hardcore graphic violence in a Cheech & Chong movie. (That would've sucked)
There are several scenes that are so over the top you'll be sitting there saying out loud, "Yeah right. That would NEVER happen!" It's very difficult to suspend disbelief through a lot of this film.
Trailer (NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tSmk4n-Zgo
The main reason to see this movie is James Franco as Saul. He steals the show with his dead-on performance of a stoner/drug dealer without a clue.
He's always projecting a squeaky clean image in his other movies so it was refreshing to see him as a total burnout pothead. He absolutely nails his performance in Pineapple Express. :thumbup:
I'm giving this movie 2 out of 4 stars and it's only getting that second star because of Franco's performance.
The movie doesn't totally suck, but it's far from great.
I say wait for it on DVD.
I caught it on Friday and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt it was a lot of fun, loved the chemistry between Rogen and Franco, and it reminded me a lot of 80s action comedies. Hell, I'm going to go ahead and compare this film to Beverly Hills Cop, which I hold in high regard.
The film score was very 80ish, the song over the credits was done by Huey Lewis And The News.... I felt as a throwback, it worked beautifully. I enjoyed the violence and felt it didn't really hurt the film. It's not just a pot comedy....if that is what you go into it expecting then you will be disappointed. If you want something different, something decently funny with a good bit of action, then check it out. I had a blast with it.
Also, how fantastic is Danny McBride here as Red, the drug dealer? The Foot Fist Way was a great film, and I have a feeling that Danny McBride has a HUGE career ahead of him now that he has done this film.
Apatow said he set out to make a 'weed action movie' that was supposed to be a throwback to some of the '80s Action/Comedy movies like Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop.
The movie worked well in achieving that. I went in knowing it's a dumb weed action flick, and saw it in a packed theater, and EVERYBODY laughed.
To each their own, and I respect your opinion, but I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. But, Franco stole the show in this one. He was great as Saul. I loved when he's talking to Rogen and he's like, "F*ck Jeff Goldblum."
I'm going to be seeing both this and Tropic Thunder this weekend. I meant to see Pineapple Express this past weekend but I had to watch my almost 11 year old nephew over the weekend.
Some of friends that went to see it were kind of underwhelmed by it.
Quote from: HappyGilmore on August 11, 2008, 08:47:06 PM
To each their own, and I respect your opinion, but I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. But, Franco stole the show in this one. He was great as Saul. I loved when he's talking to Rogen and he's like, "F*ck Jeff Goldblum."
I agree, I thought it was extremely funny and I'm glad I can now think of Franco in this role instead of a crying helpless Goblin!
Quote from: Torgo on August 11, 2008, 10:28:19 PM
Some of friends that went to see it were kind of underwhelmed by it.
This was exactly how I felt after seeing it. I think in my case it was the crowd I saw it with. I'd be interested in seeing it again though, to see if my feelings are validated or not.
Almost everyone I know that has seen it has had nothing but positive reactions to this movie, so I dunno why it's getting some negative reviews.
Quote from: Monkeyface on August 14, 2008, 01:56:18 PM
Quote from: HappyGilmore on August 11, 2008, 08:47:06 PM
To each their own, and I respect your opinion, but I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. But, Franco stole the show in this one. He was great as Saul. I loved when he's talking to Rogen and he's like, "F*ck Jeff Goldblum."
I agree, I thought it was extremely funny and I'm glad I can now think of Franco in this role instead of a crying helpless Goblin!
He should do more comedy. He's not a bad actor, though.
i saw this the thursday it came out here with some friends....it seems alot of you werent too into it...but i thought it was absolutely hilarious....the theater was sold out and full of laughter....this movie is just so ridiculous its great :thumbup: :teddyr: :drink: