Pineapple Express Review

At first glance, "Pineapple Express" might seem like a typical stoner movie, but in reality it is one of the best buddy comedy's in the past several years.
I have to admit, I am a little biased to this film because Huey Lewis and the News wrote the theme song. How can you go wrong with Huey Lewis and the News? The new song pales in comparison to "Power of Love" from "Back to the Future," but it fits the movie with its uplifting and just plain fun attitude.
The movie's plot is fairly straightforward, a marijuana smoking loser played by Seth Rogan witnesses a murder so he and his drug dealer, played by James Franco, have to go on the run. Again, at first glance it seems like a stoner movie. However, the premise is actually much sweeter than it initially seems. Rogan and Franco play two people who know each other, but slowly become friends throughout the film.
Following them on their journey is as much about watching their friendship bloom as it is of the characters trying to escape the assassins trying to kill them. I am a sucker for buddy comedy's and this particular story was one of my favorites. While several other movies with a pot that surround pot would only allow audiences who are either high or stupid to enjoy, this movie actually has the most clever writing I have seen in a comedy all summer.
There is easy humor in the movie, but most of the laughs can be found in the subtle humor that is prevalent throughout the 90-minute run time.
Franco, who is normally tagged as a pretty-boy and given roles that accentuate that stereotype, returns to his roots from his days on "Freaks and Geeks," one of the best shows to ever grace the television screen.
Rogan has established himself as a comedy icon in the past two years, but Franco blows him out of the water with his performance as the simple-minded drug dealer who just wants to be friends with everyone. I can only hope and pray that Franco will continue to dig into his comedy roots and take more roles like this one.
That isn't to say that Rogan does not do a phenomenal job as well. He is also spot on as a pot-smoking process server who is 25 and dating a high-school student, which could have been a disgusting side-plot, but is tastefully done as just another hilarious story-line.
The humor in the movie is crude and cursing is prevalent throughout the film. However, most of the movie I was laughing at the subtle humor that takes place in the background of most scenes. It is the type of humor that is targeted at a very particular audience and people expecting a cut-and-dry comedy will walk away with less than those who are looking for the underlying humor in the scenes.
Another up-and-coming comedy frontman, Danny McBride, also delivers a hilarious performance as Red, a drug-dealing friend of Franco's who spends his time equally split between helping Rogan and Franco escape the assassins and helping the assassins kill Franco and Rogan. McBride is easily the funniest character in the cast and has the audience waiting for the next scene he will appear.
The other supporting cast of Rosie Perez and Gary Cole do a great job, but still can't hold a candle to Rogan, Franco and McBride.
I knew how good the movie was when my wife had to tell me to stop quoting the movie she hadn't seen every day and then pointed out that I would just occasionally laugh to myself and mutter a line or two. The film is definitely one I will see again in theaters and then purchase when it comes to DVD.
I can't say the film is for everyone because the humor is very complex, but I can say if you enjoyed "40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" or "Superbad," you will love it. And, again, how can you go wrong with Huey Lewis and the News?

Pineapple Express
Rating: 3 and one half stars
Rated R for violence, language and crude, sexual humor
Starring: Seth Rogan, James Franco, Danny McBride, Rosie Perez and Gary Cole