Harold and Kumar are the Cheech and Chong of this generation. If you define that comment as high praise, A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas is probably something you’ll enjoy. If not? Be warned, this isn’t your usual holly jolly, eggnog-drenched material.
Par for the course for this crew, A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas is absolutely relentless in poking fun at everything. Yes, everything. Religion. Race. Wall Street protestors. Claymation, Child minding. Santa. Nothing’s off limits. Nothing.
I didn’t laugh much. Oh, I did laugh, just not a whole lot. And it wasn’t because I was offended –– honestly, this stuff is too goofy to even consider taking seriously –– mostly, it was because it wasn’t all that funny. A few chuckles, sure. But there are definitely indications that these stoners are down to their last trip.
The story has Harold (John Cho) working hard to escape his party past. He’s now a successful trader, has a beautiful wife (who, unfortunately, comes included with a psychotic father) and is ready to have an old fashioned Christmas.
Enter Kumar (Kal Penn, former White House employee… Do you really think I’d make THAT up?), still living the high life in the filthy bachelor apartment that he once shared with Harold.
When a mysterious package arrives on Christmas Eve addressed to his one-time pal, Kumar decides to visit Harold at his suburban pad, accidentally burns down the Christmas tree, and sends the duo on a wild ride through Manhattan in search of the perfect Douglas fir.
Neil Patrick Harris returns as himself –– a highlight of every Harold & Kumar film, as he paints himself as the ultimate Hollywood creep. NPH especially winks at the camera in this one with an elaborate dance number and an ongoing raft of jokes that suggest he’s not really living the lifestyle he so actively promotes. It’s not gut-busting hilarious, but the ease in which this dude makes fun of himself is indeed impressive.
Outside of Doogie, A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas is up for trying anything stupid to get a laugh. Sometimes, that’s not such a bad thing. But as the series has progressed, the plan seems to have hit the fast track from offbeat to off-colour.
What I DID like in this sequel was how writer Jon Hurwitz and director Todd Strauss-Schulson attacked the 3-D concept. It ain’t art, it’s a gimmick, and these boys get that.
In one scene, a supporting character, singing 3-D’s praises as “aaa-mazing!”, points two thumbs up right at the camera and holds them there, with a dumb grin plastered across his face. Cho, pausing for a beat, asks “Who are you looking at?” before questioning if 3-D has “jumped the shark.”
Sadly, I wonder the same about Harold and Kumar.
The feature is currently playing at Galaxy Cinemas in Vernon.
–– Jason Armstrong is the longtime movie reviewer for The Morning Star. His column, Aisle Seat appears, every Friday and Sunday.
