Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express




Judd Apatow seems to have his name attached to everything these days. I half expect to pick up some Heinz beans and find his name on the tin; Tomato sauce by Judd Apatow. So, unless you're some sort of Obi-wan hermit, you'll recognise the name. And you'll also know that the man has the Midas touch.

Apatow backs his best pal Seth Rogen again(the pair have been working together since Feaks and Geeks) to bring us another slice of comedy genius; Pineapple Express.

Rogen(Writer and star) plays Dale Denton, a stoner in denial. He likes to smoke it, but he doesn't want to be part of the whole scene. He tries to buy the drugs and escape his dealer, James Franco's unconditional friendship.
It's only when Denton witnesses a gangland killing that he runs to him for safety, kick starting the odd-couple on the run story.
They bungle from one ridiculous scenario to the next, trying to escape Gary Cole and Rosie Perez and their inept henchmen.

The film is filled with characters painted in the brightest colours. Franco's permanently stoned dealer Saul will probably stick in the mind as the stand out performance, but it's the secondary characters that make it. None more so than Budlofsky and Matheson, the two henchmen. Their questionable relationship generates the most laughs as they act like Husband and nagging wife throughout. Matheson, at one point, questions Budlofsky's cold-bloodedness; "You used to be fierce. You used to be ruthless!"
Danny R. McBride proves his comedy worth as the unkillable Red. A friend to Saul who sells him out to the gangsters, but quickly regrets it. His redemption is one of the best bits of the film.

Like any good stoner movie ie Much of Richard Linklaters work (Dazed and Confused), it has to be stocked full of memorable quotes. This film has them in Abundance. Go to Imdb and check them out, but definitely see the film first.

One drawback that might be picked up on is the jumps from comedy to action movie. There are bits that feel out of place here. Especially the bloody climax. They may be extreme, but they're so far over the top, it would be impossible to take them seriously.

Like Pixar with their animations, Apatow is a name that promises quality hilarity in the first degree. Here again he delivers. Let's not mention 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' though.

Verdict 9/10
Stoners will be proud to put this next to Dazed and Confused in their collection.