Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

This 2004 stoner comedy follows two young gentlemen, Harold and Kumar, who are out on a quest to settle their hunger pangs with a little late night snack after watching a tempting commercial. Getting there is half the fun, and for these duo, they are in for the night of their lives! Their trip to satisfy their crave doesn’t go without a series of mishaps, as they battle their way through one unpredictable event after another. What stands in there way? A hateful cop, a cancer oozing man, and a group of menacing loiterers, to name a few…did I forget to mention the cheetah and the crazy hitchhiking raccoon? It’s also a night of grand theft auto, but I’m probably spoiling the fun. Strap yourself in for non stop last, because this film is ready to deliver the goods…and maybe even leave a bad taste in your mouth, but that won’t be from the burgers!

Decent watch, could watch again, and can recommend. I'm not a fan of drug humor, "because he's HIGH" isn't a good enough joke to me, but this felt like a spiritual successor to "Dumb and Dumber" (another movie that is funny, but I'm not a huge fan of). John Cho and Kal Penn work amazingly together, so much so that I'm honestly surprised there isn't a web series of "Harold and Kumar" skits (and if there are, then happy day) trying to wring blood from stone. The story has a great structure: a clear antagonist, clear love interest, a goal, plenty of adversity, and lots of quality character interaction. The problem with the content is that it's a series of ever increasing ridiculous events. The continuity suffers a bit, but its done so well that it feels seemless in the moment. The comedy writing is good enough that it holds up over 16 years, the majority of which is really funny. It's not so funny that this is an amazing movie, but it definitely makes it work a watch.