Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) User Reviews

If stoner comedy has a place in the satire canon, this is one of the best.

[jdesando · 30 July 2004]

If two chicks sitting in stalls playing 'Battleshits' while the two Indian and Asian 'heroes' hide between them suffering the sounds and smells of scatological low humor sounds funny to you, then you should consider seeing 'Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.' My last stoner movie, the remake of 'Starsky and Hutch,' was indeed Sunday school by contrast.

Director Danny Leiner ('Dude, Where's My Car?') has taken this genre and made a classic, not just because it exploits every possible ethnic stereotype with zeal equaled only by 'Bad Santa's' decimating the Christmas formula. 'Castle' has such fun imitating the roguish good will of the Hope/Crosby road pictures while commenting on the egregious weaknesses of parents and police that almost anyone who doesn't mind a breast or two bared in the name of satire can laugh heartily at modern adult pretensions and youthful indiscretion.

Harold and Kumar are trying to find an all-night White Castle after experiencing the sudden yearning that afflicts almost anyone who has had a 'slider' burger. Like that little square of fat and calories, the pot and girls are just too good not to indulge now and then. The two early twenties students, one a serious stock analyst and the other a lazy pre-med genius, are like Hope and Crosby in their witty repartee and canny ability to escape harm. Being delivered from the wrath of seriously deformed 'Freak Show' and his siren wife doesn't deter them from considering the affections of the battling babes or idolizing Neil Patrick Harris in a cameo playing himself as a lethal womanizer.

More serious is the multicultural subtext about stereotyping (Asians are nerdy number crunchers and Indians are overachieving medical doctors, for instance) overturned by, for instance, morphing a seemingly 'Joy Luck' club gathering into a raunchy party or exposing a gang of mouthy skinheads as 'girliemen.' It's all pop-cult fun at our own expense, something akin to actually enjoying the articles in 'Playboy' even if they weren't our reason for buying the mags.

My grandson Cody and I bonded once again, this time just laughing at the silliness, enjoying the satire, and figuring how we could get his dad to allow his young brother to see it, despite the lurid spots that give spice and lend naughtiness to our increasingly dangerous lives.

If stoner comedy has a place in the satire canon, this is one of the best.

Jim Blesener and Cat Stevens Go to Black Shack

[MaxZorin · 9/10 · 31 July 2004]

I haven't laughed that hard at a movie in a long time. Being a fan of White Castle and the talents of John Cho and Kal Penn, this movie was a sure fire hit. Normally I would think a script about two stoners on a quest for White Castle sliders would be boring, if not retarded, material... but this movie just works.

Let's face it - the stoner angle may not appeal to everyone, but their quest is just too good/funny to pass up. There are more wacky moments than most "buds hit the road" comedies can muster. Imagine Neil Patrick Harris (NPH!!) playing himself - well, he flippin' does here, in a very funny, if slightly disturbing, role. The comradeship between John and Kal is fantastic. They'll probably remind you of two old buds from college - or maybe even hit closer to home.

I'm not sure if it's the great delivery by John/Kal, maybe the writing, or a both - this movie is really a great time. The whole theater was laughing - I haven't heard that in A LONG TIME. Did "Bruce Almighty" do that? No. Did "Envy" do it? Hell no. Did "50 First Dates" do it? Ummm, no.

Bottom line - this is a good movie that actually delivers the laughs.

Hilarious Stoner Comedy...Everything "Dude Where's My Car" should have been

[[e-mail] · 9/10 · 9 September 2004]

"Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle" is an amusing, hilarious comedy not to be taken too seriously and not to be dismissed as just another silly stoner comedy. Certainly there are plenty of elements which appeal to those dophamine, "good times" movie-goers, yet there are also some classic instances of comedic greatness. Aside from chronicling two inane potheads on a quest to satisfy their appetites, "White Castle" offers a great coming-of-age and funny coincidence premise, which reminds us of the heavy, sadistic curveballs life hurls at us, sometimes when we merely desire something simple and cannot attain it. Here is a story of a simple goal by two simple minds: to find a White Castle hamburger joint and fulfill the lasting effects of "the munchies". Yet, as these two stoner friends come to realize, even the seemingly simplest of goals in life can be impossible to achieve, due to such disturbances as irony, circumstance, error, and misfortune, as they are all encountered in this journey. The comic elements are listless: stoner instinct-gone horribly awry, catastrophic error, not-so-pleasant raunchy surprise, near-death escapes in the most unlikeliest of ways, and the eventual finesse of overcoming all obstacles to finally enjoy a binge at a hamburger joint. This is a fresh, original, and satisfying comedy, and though it is nothing of a brilliant production or a cinematic masterpiece, there are plenty of the elements here which constitute for a barrel of laughs and a genuinely entertaining experience at the movies. ***1/2 out of ****

Haven't laughed so hard since Something About Mary!

[EmmaNemms · 11 August 2004]

We stuck our heads in this movie because we had 15 minutes to kill before our movie started ("Collateral"). Surprise of surprises, we were glued to our seats and didn't want to leave! We're NOT 20-somethings or even 30-somethings, yet we found this entire movie eye-watering funny! These two actors are great at their craft, and their on-screen combination a perfect match. Our only regret is that we can't take our 14-year-old son to see it--the movie makes light of drugs and sex too much for his age (in our "parental opinion"). However, it's no worse in that regard than South Park or other hit movies involving college-age adults (a la Animal House). In fact, it has many more redeeming qualities than AH. Specifically speaking, the not-so-subtle (and rightfully so) social commentary. We hope that part isn't lost in the incredible humor. We HIGHLY recommend this movie to those of you who enjoy movies like There's Something About Mary, Four Rooms ("Misbehavers" vignette), etc. Favorite scenes: two sorority types in the restroom and the two African American men in the jail house!

Hilarious- simply brilliant

[linax1 · 10 August 2004]

OK, maybe I "got" this movie because I'm a recent graduate of an ivy-league school (and I can relate to Harold and Kumar, and know about 200 people like them), but I didn't stop laughing. And I'm not a person who is into "American Pie" type movies- yet this was still totally hilarious. I think it is going to be one of those cult comedies, like "Office Space" or "Old School" that people watch over and over again.

Listen, don't go in expecting an academy award winning film, but just go in ready to laugh. I thought the writing had real wit, not to mention the hidden references and one liners that any film buff will appreciate.

Go see this movie- I really don't think it will disappoint. I'm a real cinephile, I see everything and am usually quite picky, but I loved this film!!

It's all about the Journey...

[jon.h.ochiai · 8/10 · 8 August 2004]

With the title "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle", how can one not see this movie? Well, one could, and would be missing a very funny movie. H&R is genius creative marketing, and the director Danny Leiner's movie is actually funnier than it's trailer. The movie demographic is probably from 15 to 25-- totally not mine. Written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, the story is more hit than miss, with inspired moments and a drugged out cool. Consequently, the humor can be gross out bathroom humor. However, "Harold & Kumar" can be clever funny, and has moments of comic genius. In the beginning, Kumar(Kal Penn) is having a medical school interview, and the dean (a classically clueless Fred Ward) asks him why he isn't already in school with his perfect MCAT scores. Kumar says, "Just because you're hung like moose, doesn't mean you have to do porn." I was rolling. John Cho and Kal Penn as Harold and Kumar have a natural chemistry and are completely charming. Cho and Penn overcome much of the movie's inconsistencies.

Harold (Cho) is the straight Korean guy who works as an associate at an investment bank. Kumar is the free spirited Indian guy, who interviews with medical schools, but never accepts. That way his father keeps supporting him. It's Friday, and one of the partners at Harold's firm dumps a report on Harold, so that he can party with some babes-- unbeknown-st to Harold. The report is due on Saturday. Harold is not having a particularly stellar day.

Kumar wants to smoke pot with his bud, regardless of Harold's deadline. Back at their apartment complex, we meet Maria (a gorgeous Paula Garces), the object of Harold's affection. Harold is in love with her, but has yet to utter a complete sentence to her in their daily elevator rides. So Harold and Kumar smoke weed and watch TV. Then they get the munchies, and thus begins their quest for White Castle-- somewhere in New Jersey.

Give props to Leiner, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg for ignoring political correctness and having fun with stereotypes. Even in this simplistic comedy, this frames the story as the Harold and Kumar evolve-- after the high subsides. The scenes where Harold is giving career advice at a college Asian club meeting or where Kumar is talking with his father and older brother who are both doctors at the hospital are funny, and have an air of authenticity. Also the story plays off the fact that our duo are perceived geeks and are targets of the Extreme Sports Punks.

"Harold and Kumar" has some of the funniest scenes that sometimes blur lines of taste. Regardless, it's funny. In their quest for White Castle burgers and... getting laid, they end up at the home of mechanic Freakshow (an unrecognizable Chris Meloni). The "threesome" encounter with Lianne (the stunning Malin Akerman), Freakshow's wife, is hot and hilarious-- more than the trailer tease which is good. Perhaps, H&K's defining moment is when the high duo ride a cheetah through the woods. You have to see the movie for this. Neil Patrick Harris as himself is awesome. H&K pick the Harris on the road on the way to White Castle. Amazingly, his character is integral to the plot-- really. Harris is having fun playing against his own casting stereotype, and doing it well. He is totally out there.

You can figure out how this all ends. "Harold and Kumar" is not a cinematic masterpiece, but it is a lot of fun. John Cho is a talented reactive actor, some of his expression are priceless. Kal Penn is a great smart guy rebel, and a good actor. The two together are a solid comic team. I would see, for example "Harold and Kumar Go to Disneyland".

Unbelievably funny - The smartest 'dumb' movie I've seen in years

[filmbuffette · 10/10 · 31 July 2004]

The movie is absolutely hilarious. It's light years beyond Dude Where's My Car?, or for that matter any stoner/dumbass flick I've seen in years. This will be a cult comedy classic, one you watch ten times till you know all the words.

How many times do you get to see someone so excited over a giant bag of marijuana that he dances slow-motion in circles with it, then marries it, then bitch-slaps it because it served him bad coffee, then sobs and hugs it, crying, "I love you honey!"? (This is a dream sequence, and uh it's funnier that it sounds.)

Or this description of seeing Katie Holmes topless: "You know the holocaust? It was, like, the complete opposite of that, man!"

Or when a med school admissions officer asks one of the lead characters, who has a perfect score on the MCATs, why he doesn't want to be a doctor. "Just because I'm hung like a moose doesn't mean I have to be a porn star!"

Funniest movie I have ever seen.

[userscreenname · 10/10 · 30 July 2004]

It is no exaggeration or flattery when I say this movie is the funniest movie I have ever seen. I haven't laughed so much at a movie since.... never, seeing how this is the funniest movie I have ever seen. What a great combination, a Korean guy and an Indian guy, both stereotypically known to be intellectually advanced. What was great about this movie was that they tackled modern day stereotypes and showed the stupidity in exploiting them. Also it showed the other side to these two minorities which is usually purposely ignored. This movie, as you see from the trailer, is about two guys who have the munchies and all they want is to go get some White Castle fast food. But this movie does not fall in the same category as Half Baked or How High; this is not another typical stoner film. It does not base its humor solely the idea of getting high, this movie is able to find humor in more then just that. Take the best comedic part of every movie you have ever seen and just combine them all together to make this one hilarious film. I personally, being Indian found much humor in this movie, along with something else, a little pride in the fact that this movie did not portray the lead Indian guy to be just another book worm with a heavy accent. I really enjoyed this film. Definitely worth a second, a third, and fourth watch, and then some. Don't worry my not so Indian, white friend, sitting next to me, got just as much a kick out of it as well. I don't know how many times I have to say it for it to sink it, but one last time, this movie is the funniest movie I have ever seen, it is hilarious!

A Hilarious Social Satire disguised as a drug-sex romp

[willden21 · 8/10 · 24 July 2004]

Yes this film is rude, crude, over the top, full of choppy editing (probably to ensure an R not NC-17)and sometimes cliché', but it works. Yes there is plenty of Drug Humor and sex humor, but the funniest stuff is actually the on going humor involved with racial inequality and characters who learn how to break those typifications because of their symbolic journey to White Castle. This film pushes the line between being too crude and sometimes too smart for it's own good. The Acting is Right on from the 2 leads and there are quite a bit of funny cameos.

This film is similar to the American Pie films, but substitute the cutesy wootesy sub plots and messages with a realistic and brash message about race and class equality and beating the typifications we in life get tagged with constantly.

The film has plenty of raunchy humor which acts as a great balance to the theme. It does dabble with some stereotypes but the times the stereotpyes are broken especially from Kumar who brings a light fun and jovial spirit to the film and has some of the funniest moments.

At times the editing is so bad, especially when Kumar is peeing by the bush.

The editing ruins a perfectly cast cameo which gets wasted it just ends up making no sense because of obvious excessive cuts.

But overall I found it very very funny, and I did not leave feeling stupid like I did after the funny yet inherently stupid Dodgeball, but left thinking about these social and racial issues. Overall, I left a funny satire with some strong points and ideas that sometimes get overshot but still resonate . . . . a little anyway. Still funny as hell though even if you miss the hidden almost subliminal message within the film.

Too Good To Miss!

[monicabingfallon · 31 July 2004]

When my best friend said that she was going to go see this movie, I said I wanted to come, not even knowing what the movie was about, but just so I could have a good time (and because I love White Castle). I'm so glad I saw it. I can honestly say that I have never laughed so hard in a theatre before. This is by far the funniest movie I have ever seen. I love it!! Too good!!! I will definitely go to see it again! I'm telling everyone I know what a great movie it is! Sure, there are a lot of people that are going to say it looks stupid and it's for teens. But seriously, people go to see movies to have a good time, and this movie certainly delivers. If only those Oscar morons would start nominating good stuff, I can say that this has a great chance to win.

I can guarantee I'll be buying it the day it comes out on DVD!

Brilliant and Underrated - Not just a "stoner comedy"

[fishy1999 · 10/10 · 19 March 2005]

This movie was absolutely great. I've watched it about 5 times now over the past few weeks. For all those that love The Big Lebowski, this movie will make a lot of sense. There are loads and loads of memorable lines in the film. Even more interesting was the interesting metaphors about race relations, immigration and assimilation in the US. It seems to me that White Castle (not, in my view, randomly selected as the munchie destination of choice) represented that idealized destination that all those pursuing happiness and the American Dream seek out. A telling moment is where Harold and Kumar, before getting to White Castle, see their Jewish friends Goldstein and Rosenberg happily enjoying their hotdogs in another fast food joint. They gaze longingly at their two friends and Harold says "I want what they have". He elaborates that he means having exactly what you want, not hot dogs per se. You could argue that this was a metaphor for Asian-American and Indian-American first or second generation immigrants looking to Jewish-Americans as examples of a group that came to the US and managed to be admitted to the "White Castle", to assimilate and to ultimately attain the American Dream. I could be way off about this, but it's clear that immigration, assimilation and race-relations is a prominent theme throughout the film. Bottom line, the film is both hilarious, meaningful, and memorable.

This is either one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen or one of the funniest

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 8/10 · 7 April 2008]

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, in 2004 just from the title, I never wanted to see this movie, it just sounded so incredibly stupid and a waste of good film. But on Bravo a few months ago they had this movie on it's top 100 funniest films of all time and also they're not releasing the new sequel in a month, so I figured what do I have to loose? Just go ahead and give the movie a chance, so I rented it yesterday and watched it today, I hate to say it, I couldn't stop laughing. I mean from beginning to end this movie is just so unbelievably funny, I think it's because it doesn't take itself seriously and the actors just have so much fun with it. Kenn Pal and John Cho have a great chemistry for the buddy relationship of Harold and Kumar, not since Bill and Ted has been such a great stoner move.

Harold and Kumar are two friends who are about to enjoy their Friday night getting high, they get the munchies and are looking for the ultimate satisfying food: WHITE CASTLE. So they go on a trip to the local White Castle where they are disappointed to find out that the White Castle is closed, so they have to travel across town to get their craving. But the night is still young from emergency surgery to chilling with the cheetah's, from Neil Patrick Harris stealing their car to hang gliding, this is the ultimate night just to get the perfect square hamburger.

Seriously Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. I couldn't believe how much I laughed out loud during this film, I think I have to join in with the fans on this movie. I just loved everything about this film except for the potty humor, that's always for me a huge turn off, but I got over it because this was just a fun movie. The script, the actors, the fantasy with the weed and Kumar was just beyond hilarious. I loved Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and highly recommend it, don't take it seriously, just have fun.

8/10

Take a break from your hecktic work life, and see this film and laugh your head off.

[mack3175-1 · 6 August 2004]

This movie is enjoyable only if you don't try to take it seriously. It was bust a gut laughs from start to finish. Next to DodgeBall, I would say this was tied as the funniest film of 2004. It starts out with Harold(John Cho) an overworked and very passive guy, who has a crush on the beautiful Maria(Paula Garces, remember her from ClockStoppers and T.V.'s Guiding Light). Harold has a best friend and roomate named Kumar(Kal Penn) who rather be stoned, then get a job. One night decide to go to White Castle fast food place. Then begins an unenjoyable night, where thing that could go wrong, really do. That is all I'm gonna say. Get ready to laugh your head off. It was quite edgy. But for some people, don't see it, if you get easily affended.

Hilarious movie!

[jasonklingensmith · 10/10 · 7 February 2005]

This was a hilarious movie. Unlike How High, where Method Man and Redman try so hard to be the heir apparent to Cheech and Chong, Harold and Kumar just seem to fall into that role. I thought I was going to die laughing when Kumar was peeing in the bushes and Jamie Kennedy came up to him. Doogie Howser stealing their car, humping their seat. That's classic.

This is the funniest movie I've seen since Old School. It's great also the way they pay homage to Dude Where's My Car, being that this is the same genre, and a similar story. I think Harold & Kumar might become this generation's Cheech & Chong. I'd like to see a sequel, may Harold & Kumar go to Taco Bell or Hot Dog Heaven. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone with any kind of sense of humor. Loved it.

You must be THIS HIGH to watch this movie...

[maskatuoklis · 1/10 · 5 November 2005]

I don't get it. Really. All the jokes in this movie are well... seen, bland and NOT funny. Even the infamous "Scary Movie 2" is better than this. Adventure ? Way much worse than also one of the lamest movies ever made - "Dude wheres my car ?". Scenario ? Morals ? Action ? All of them make no sense.

Maybe it's one of those movies that only Americans can understand (and maybe laugh ?), but for the rest of the world, I believe, it should look like one of the worst movies ever. I still watch at the rating 7.1 and contemplate how this could happen.

Seriously, if this movie is good, then Van Wilder should get an Oscar.

This film is HILARIOUS! A must-see.. twice!

[treasonsymphony · 10/10 · 30 July 2004]

Who would have thought this film would be hilariously amazing and entertaining ? Well, I did.. and I was thoroughly satisfied. I received my time AND money's worth with this one. I can't think of another comedy that I have seen in recent years that even compares to Harold and Kumar. Throughout the movie, there is not a scene where you're not holding back a shout of laughter, or biting back a guffaw. I can't think of anything in this movie that is a downer. It is truly and feel-good, hilarious comedy. Not to mention a HUGE boost in White Castle business. ;) I know I plan on stopping by my local White Castle and picking up a bunch of Sliders. Overall, Harold and Kumar go to White Castle is a must-see.. TWICE !! (.. okay four times.)

I don't understand the hype and cult following of this film

[Floated2 · 2/10 · 21 January 2011]

I don't know why I waited so long to watch this film. I finally watched it, and really didn't find it that funny- just predictable. Many people consider this film a very funny comedy with great humour, but I just didn't see it that way. The humour wasn't creative. It seemed to rehash the American Pie films comedy, and just tried to make this more crude, sexual, and thrilling. But I didn't think it ended up that way. It had no heart and was just random at time. Also its jokes were lame and unfunny, and the dialogue wasn't clever, just uninteresting. Since this is a road trip film, Harold and Kumar go thru the basic movements of a typical stoner films. But this film just contained so many random scenes with characters that just made one or two scene appearances. Some examples of dumb scenes with unfunny and crude humour I though are: Harold and Kumar at Princeston with these two British girls using the bathroom playing a game called battlesh*t (it was unfunny and just gross- even for this film), a guy named Freakshow with gross scabs and bumps on his face who happen to pickup Harold and Kumar along the way, an appearance by Neil Patrick Harris (wasn't that funny, just predictable), a ridiculous jail scene with a sophisticated black guy speaking about his life in prison- not funny stereotype, a scene with Harold and Kumar riding a cheetah and getting stoned with it, and few more silly and dumb things. This film was just too predictable, and not really well written. The plot just wasn't good or original and didn't seem worth it. Though, I liked the ending, I thought it was pretty decent but still predictable nonetheless. This film is pretty overrated, and should have been better. ==================================================================== ====== As for a rewatch (05/22/17'), thoughts and opinions have not changed much. One can find this film not funny or entertaining and many have considered. The plot is simply basic with a bunch of misdirections and random misturns occurring from stopping the leads from their goal of reaching White Castle.

Everything Dude Where's My Car wishes it could have been

[catlin_massier · 10/10 · 11 July 2007]

This movie is everything for drugs that Dude Where's My Car should have been for beer. The producers of that movie came back and brought us this timeless classic that I'm sure will be watched for generations. The funny thing is that in the last scene there are a lot of references to that movie. If you think drug humor is funny then you don't even have to read any more of this review go watch to movie now if you haven't seen it. I guarantee you won't be let down. However if you think drugs are bad and stupid, this movie still might be funny to you. This is on my list of top favorite movies if not it being my favorite movie to date. It's hard to even discuss this movie because I feel like I don't want to ruin the experience for anybody, and If anybody is reading this comments before checking off hide spoilers I think you should click the X button on your computer and go grab this hilarious movie. I LOVE this movie!!!!

Funny Clever

[virati · 10/10 · 22 December 2005]

One of the funniest movie ever !!!! We didn't know them when we watched the movie my girlfriend and I. Actually we did have a wonderful time laughing with Harold and Kumar. JUST WATCH IT !!! Hope they would do another movie. Since we watched it we'd like to go get some hamburgers at white castle if it ever existed. HAROLD KUMAR HAROLD KUMAR. Can I give you an advice ? Don't start watching without having any burgers on hand.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check it out dude ! Don't fall for the wrong path ! Indians and Asian guys should live hand in hand for their own sake. Mister Miyagi was also involved.

So now this generation has, it's own Airplane.

[simpsjd · 7/10 · 1 August 2004]

One thing can be certain; people who did not enjoy this film either are to `PC' or have not embraced the concept of mindless humor. This is with out a doubt the new Airplane of the new millennium where racial comedy and the `you can't say that attitude' are left by the way side so we can watch two friends in a campy adventure. John Cho and Kal Penn have excellent screen presence and their ability to play off of one another is what gave them staying power through all three pie moves. One of the best parts about this film is the cameo appearances and tie-ins to motion pictures of the age and cult following. Leaving no gender, race, or stereo-type out the film rages with reckless abandon on the audience and with in moments you find your self laughing through your hand covered mouth and by the end of the second real you can't help but laugh aloud. Danny Leiner is great at telling this story with honesty to the characters and not letting even their own epiphanies stand in the way. Not to mention Neil Patrick Harris' performance epitomizing the child actor gone bye, bye. This is an honestly funny film with very little to think about, pushing the social limit on the `PC' attitude.

A no-brainer strictly for no-brainers

[Balthazar-5 · 1/10 · 21 January 2005]

Rumour has it that it is difficult to get a movie made. Orson Welles was neglected by the industry for the last two decades of his life. So why, oh why, did anyone commit this execrable junk to film? Pathetic over-acting, unfunny jokes, clichéd situations pile one on another seemingly endlessly. 'The end is near...' you keep telling yourself... but never, never near enough. Since the two central characters are of Asian origin and the 'villains' are WASPish, could this be a clumsy attempt to make a PC comedy of ethnicity? If so, I cannot imagine any of my Indian friends will enjoy being portrayed as crassly priapic or undiscerning pot-heads. Nor will any east asians relish being portrayed as weak-willed and lacking in taste.

As for the scriptwriting team on the film, they give the impression not only of being blissfully unaware of the notion of cinematic subtlety, but of being unable even to spell it.

Save your money and buy a hamburger.

So Funny!

[jks81 · 1 August 2004]

I loved this movie. It was a laugh every two minutes. I was skeptical at first, but it was really good. The comedy was good, the story was good, and the movie was so much fun to watch. Kal Penn and John Cho did a great job as did the rest of the cast and crew. It delivered. I hope the bag of pot learns how to make a decent cup of coffee! See the movie...you'll understand. * * * *

BEST COMEDY OF 2004

[Ben_Deutsch · 10/10 · 23 July 2004]

this is one of the finest dim witted, stoner comedies since half baked. It surprisingly surpasses half baked, which is the pinnacle of all stoner humor.

Somehow, Harold and Kumar manage to even incorporate gross-out humor that is actually funny.

H&K is probably the funniest movie you will see this year, and far surpasses the hilarity in any idiocy-based comedy I've seen in a long time.

The escapades of the obsessive-compulsive harold, and the overzealous, white castle craving lunatic kooooomar (kuumar (no wait, Kumar)) manage to be completely random, yet all tied together. Anything even subtly mentioned in the script manages to find its way to Harold and Kumar.

10/10

Restores my faith in the comedy genre

[b1lskirnir · 9/10 · 6 March 2005]

No, this is not just another idiotic stoner movie with no plot or good acting ( cough cough Dude Where's My Car ): this is in fact one of the best movies I've seen in ages. Perfect casting, well-written plot details, and amazing humor. Do not be discouraged from seeing this movie, no matter what your elitist friends say.

Basiclot summary: Harold ( that Asian guy ) is an overworked investment banker who frequently gets the raw end of the deal from the guys at his company, who perceive him as a dorky number-cruncher, which also causes problems in his love life. Kumar ( that Indian dude ) is a twentysomething stoner who has the potential to do great things with his mind, but chooses an ignorance-is-bliss path. He persuades Harold to join him for a night with the finest marijuana he could obtain, only to get the massive munchies for some White Castle burgers. To say that they embark on a quest would be an understatement. Their journey, taking at least 12 hours total, takes them all over New Jersey for their beloved burgers. Possibly the greatest attribute of this movie is that it is so ridiculous and outlandish, yet is has just enough social commentary and reflective dialogue to keep it down-to-earth and understandable, even cathartic. Throughout the night, they run afoul of dirtbag white trash skaters, a geeky Asian club, a mad raccoon, a lunatic country couple, more than a few car accidents, Neil Patrick Harris, corrupt policemen, a cheetah, and so much more.

I can even begin to describe how well the story unfolds. It's a definite feel-good movie in the end, but it's much more. You really need to see it to understand it and what it's really about. There are few things I could complain about in this movie: excellent screenplay, appropriate music, the only thing stereotype-wise it could've used was some DDR or K-Pop to complete it.

Once again proof that things from New Jersey, such as the Numa Numa dance, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and myself, are completely amazing.

Bringing Up Baby in New Jersey

[cbabst · 8/10 · 28 August 2004]

This 21st century update of the classic Howard Hawks screwball comedy is the funniest movie I have seen in a long time. I am continually impressed with New Jersey movies. The Korean dude plays an attractive nerd as well as Cary Grant and the Indian dude matches Katherine Hepburn's manic energy. Kevin Smith and Todd Solondz better watch out. They no longer own the state of New Jersey. The director dude is that good. The movie is crude and will not appeal to all tastes. An R rating should warn away any that would take offense, but some people do not pay attention.

This movie is very much an R rated film. That being said, it is a very funny film with classic screwball pacing.