08.15.08
Review: “Pineappple Express”
“Pineapple Express,” written by the scribes of the ultimately more entertaining “Superbad” Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen and directed by David Gordon Green (“George Washington”) whose personal involvement in the development of the film is questionable, starts off in a comically uninventive but laugh-out-loud manner with an indie sentimentality but soon, way too soon, the mild-hilarity starts to dwindle as the stoner comedy transforms into a stunted chase-film. Inspired by too many films to name, more often than not the endearing quality of the actors lift what is essentially a re-enactment of themes and sequences that have been done before from being simply mediocre.
You get what you pay for though, that being a generic, by-the-book-of-Apatow production. The first thirty minutes of unabashed amusement – similar to the initial high created by sparking up – the action sequences and trivial emotional dilemmas that are not used effectively, and a final showdown of brotherly love, the initial high long worn off, with very little resemblance to reality. If that’s entertainment, especially since it is unoriginal, consider me mildly disappointed. Perhaps if one were given a joint before heading in to the theatre, things might have been funnier. For 3-D films, you get 3-D glasses, so is it too much to ask that for a stoner flick the viewer is allowed to get stoned as well? Probably, but it is not as though the film requires many brain cells to appreciate anyway.
The problem with “Pineapple Express” is that its plot and characters are weightless, and it is glaringly obvious, especially when the laughter dies down. Which is does on a frequent basis. But, and it kills me to have to say this for almost the fourth time in terms of Apatow films, its ever dependable and likeable cast make up for a lot of the juvenile antics. Just not all of them.
Before we are thrust into present time, we are a given a rather humorous understanding of why marijuana is illegal. It’s 1937, in black and white, and a private in the army (Bill Hader, in one of the films numerous cameos) is used as the doped-up guinea pig. He’s testing an ultra-rare strain of the drug called “Pineapple Express,” the cream of the crop so to speak. Short story shorter, one should never light up in the presence of the authorities.
Cut to the present day, using on of the film’s many embarrassingly amateur transition effects, and Pineapple Express also happens to be the root of process server Dale (Seth Rogen) and his drug-dealer Saul’s (James Franco) problems. Saul introduces Dale to the strain, and all seems well. Better than well even. Until Dale witnesses a murder committed by Ted (Gary Cole), Saul’s big-shot supplier, and his policewoman partner (Rosie Perez). Dale panics, tries to flee, leaves an easily traceable roach behind – and sets up the rest of the film comprised of a series of ridiculous complications that somehow end up converging into an awkward statement on male friendship. From here, with Dale and Saul running away from anyone and everyone with a few moments of goofball fodder that border on being redundant, the laughs become infrequent and the preposterousness becomes tiresome.
James Franco is compulsively congenial here, in a role he makes his own. Despite his stint on “Freaks and Geeks,” he hasn’t been given the most incredible comic roles and while his character is nothing special in this film – none of them are – he brings a mellow humanity to a film that could fall over if one where to blow a series of smoke rings in its direction. Rogen plays Rogen playing Ben Stone in “Knocked Up” except that now he is given a starring role without a strong female counterpart. He’s affable, he’s scruffy, he’s a fits the stoner bill easily and he does no harm at all. The combination of the hazy yet tender dramatic interplay between the two is occasionally charming and is bound to bring a grin of glee to even the most cynical of viewers’ faces.
Scene-stealer Danny McBride, playing an indomitable and invincible friend of Saul’s also known as the intermediary, mines his role for plenty of laughs and it is just a matter of time before he gets his own “Pineapple Express.” Amber Heard, recently seen in “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,” plays Dale’s high-school girlfriend who is far more mature than Dale himself. I’m guessing the filmmakers needed to fulfil a certain quota for female actors in the film, because while they are present they are certainly not given much to do the way previous females have in Apatow films. It’s a break from the stale architecture, but somehow it just isn’t as satisfying as one would expect.
There is nothing flat-out awful about the film, which is by no means classic material even of the stoner variety. It’s an in the moment film, where the merriment only lasts so long and when the high and the unwashed bong miasma fade, “Pineapple Express” is barely impressive let alone memorable.
Fatac Rating: ***
Pineapple Express. Directed by David Gordon Green. Written by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen. Screen story by Judd Apatow, Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen. Cinematography by Tim Orr. Edited by Craig Alpert. Music by Graeme Revell. Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Danny R. McBride, Amber Heard, Ed Begley, Jr., Nora Dunn, Bobby Lee and James Remar. Running Time: 111 minutes. Age Restriction: Not Rated. Year: 2008. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. [C]
Matthew Lucas said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:18 am
Sorry you didn’t like this as much as I did. I had a blast. Funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
J.D. said,
August 15, 2008 at 9:34 am
Aw.
Cinematically-Correct.com said,
August 15, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I really dug it as well. I do agree that Seth Rogen is now just playing Seth Rogen.
That is the way this movie has been though. It seems like people really love it or are very “blah” about it.
Sam Juliano said,
August 15, 2008 at 3:29 pm
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS was one of the most inane, juvenile and preposterous films I’ve seen in years. This is one of your finest moments my dear Mr. Plowman, by dismissing (”barely impressive, much less memorable”) this artistic scourge on American cinemas.
And it ain’t funny either!
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I wanted to like it, and for a good portion of the film I loved it, and then it tanked for me. Pity.
Craig Kennedy said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I’ve already forgotten about it.
I hope Tropic Thunder lingers more.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I sort of have too. I only remember James Franco to be honest, and what I remember, I liked a lot.
I only get “Tropic Thunder” in September, but I am looking forward to it.
Matthew Lucas said,
August 15, 2008 at 9:36 pm
To be honest TROPIC THUNDER has started leaving me already. I would go see PINEAPPLE EXPRESS again in a heartbeat…it’s stuck with me far more.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I laugh neither of them stick with me, then whose side will I be on?
Kerry said,
August 15, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I hated this one. I just felt nothing for it, Tropic Thunder made me laugh a bit, but I am forgetting about that one just like Matt is.
I guess you could be on my side Nick.
k said,
August 16, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I had an absolute blast at this film, Nick. I’m not even embarrassed to admit that I’ve seen it twice already and would like to see it again. I haven’t had so much fun at the movies in a looooong time. This is one of those films that’s really fun to watch with an audience.
Franco was GREAT. I’d love to see him do more comedy, because he’s a very natural comedian. Rogen was good, but he’s done this type of character before (as you said — Seth Rogen playing Seth Rogen playing Ben Stone), and McBride was very, very funny.
The problem areas for me: It took kind of a weirdly violent turn (I’m not really decided on whether or not it worked, but the only thing I know is that the final fight scene went on way too long), the Angie character goes nowhere and serves no purpose, and the Asian gang subplot was lame. I’m still trying to work out just how much these issues should affect my final grade.
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I thought it was extremely funny in some parts, completely pointless and non-entertaining in others, and as soon as it was over I felt disappointed. I concur with those drawbacks you mention and most definitely did affect my grading of the film.
You’re so right about Franco though, he was the best part about the film for me (Danny McBride was great too, but whatever) but his simple characterisation has stuck with me – if I ever revisit PE with friends or whatever, it’ll be because I want to see his performance again.
k said,
August 16, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Franco was definitely the highlight for me. He really grounds the character, and makes this lazy, stoner, loser a sweet, endearing guy you genuinely care about. He got the most laughs, and a guy who was sitting next to me went, “Awwwww,” when Franco was sitting on the swing, crying in a hamburger. The guy then clapped his hands over his mouth while all of his friends all laughed at him, haha.
McBride was hilarious, but the character felt, at times, a little too ridiculous. Whereas Franco grounded his character, McBride was a little much at times. Still, he was very funny, and his delivery was great.
Rogen was serviceable, and he did exactly what he had to do, but his shtick is really starting to wear a little thin with me. I like him, and I think he’s a talented, funny guy, but I’m waiting for him to do something new. He’s got the potential to do something more (watch “The Little Things” episode of Freaks & Geeks), but he doesn’t. I guess what he’s doing now works for him, but it won’t forever.
Joss K. said,
August 17, 2008 at 10:51 am
If Rogen continues playing his same role, I won’t watch his films anymore. My loss.
Good review, I really like this site.
Nick Plowman said,
August 17, 2008 at 6:43 pm
k, I agree with you on all accounts, well said.
Joss, thanks. Hope you visit on a regular basis…
Daniel said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Another solid review. I had about the exact same impressions as you, if not even a little more negative. McBride was the only thing that I really think back fondly on, even though Franco and Rogen were serviceable together.
Pretty big disappointment stateside I think. This was one everyone was looking forward to.
Nick Plowman said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I was totally disappointed by it too, I was expecting way more. Even now, as I look back, I almost feel disdain for it. What I can remember anyway.