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Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Chasing freedom’s not as funny as chasing fast food

By Matt Pais

Metromix
April 25, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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The day after their weed-motivated search for sliders, Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) depart for Amsterdam but wind up locked in Guantanamo Bay when Kumar's bong is mistaken for a bomb. Soon the duo's on the lam through America, running from a prejudiced government official (Rob Corddry) and heading to Texas in search of a pardon—and so Kumar can stop his ex's (Danneel Harris) wedding.
 
Big question: Can this sequel, featuring more topical content than pothead adventure and no cheetah riding whatsoever, achieve the same cult status as 2004's "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle"?
 
Skip it: If the original's hilarious, stoned take on race in America felt like progress then the sequel feels like running in place, delivering weaker jokes—enough farting and feces, thanks—and political commentary staler than three-year-old episodes of "The Daily Show." (Racial profiling? Flaws in the administration? Ya don't say.) Harold and Kumar have less fun so you will too, unless you'd rather endure a several-day, mostly level-headed ordeal than join in on one wild night to remember.
 
Catch it: If you're in favor of Harold and Kumar's friend Raza (Amir Talai) starting a trend of partygoers walking around bottomless instead of topless. A revolutionary twist for "Girls Gone Wild" or anyone just looking for a new set of tan lines.
 
Bottom line: Scattered laughs and the stars' charm keep the film's head above water, though now that Neil Patrick Harris is a TV star again his obligatory (but still amusing) cameo no longer feels so inspired. This dutifully average sequel seems similarly unsure of how to recapture its buzz.
 
Bonus: After "The Forbidden Kingdom," "Guantanamo" becomes the second movie in two weeks to feature main characters receiving a face full of urine. If you thought it was hysterical last week, just wait until you see nearly the same joke again! If you didn't, join the club.

Video: Watch the review of 'Harold and Kumar'

What do you think of 'Harold and Kumar'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com