Pineapple Express [MA]

Lazy stoner, Dale, is the sole witness to a murder committed by an evil drug lord and a corrupt cop. Now Dale is marked for death and running for his life, dragging his continuously dazed dealer and his dealer’s violent dick of a supplier along for the ride. 

Another crude American addition to the class of Superbad, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Your Highness, Pineapple Express is actually not such a bad movie in that there is more to it than what appears on the surface. 

Lazy stoner, Dale, is the sole witness to a murder committed by an evil drug lord and a corrupt cop. Now marked for death, Dale is running for his life, stoned and screaming all the way and dragging his continuously dazed dealer and his dealer’s violent dick of a supplier along for the ride. 

I think what I like most about this film is that it is more than it appears to be. Although the central humour comes in the form of drug-fuelled freak-outs and general violence, there is actually a much stronger and meaningful layer to the story: the strong relationship that develops between Dale and his dealer. Surprisingly enough, by the time you reach the climax of the movie, you’re almost going “aww that is so lovely” because this really nice bond has blossomed in the face of violence and desperation. There aren’t many films that use gore and explosions and general violence to emphasise a beautiful relationship and that whole idea of using ugliness to emphasise beauty is actually rather clever and it wouldn’t surprise me if future comedies started walking down this particular road. After all, it worked perfectly well for Shaun of the Dead. 

Generally, I find Seth Rogan a little annoying. I’m not going to lie. I like the fact that he has a very distinctive voice and I will admit that he will emit his shimmering moments, but ultimately I feel that he sort of plays the same kinds of roles. That’s not to say that he’s not great at them though. Pineapple Express, I think was one of the best things he’s done as it displayed a very funny performance from him that was stoned, confused, sincere, awkwardly heroic, and hysterically freaked. There was not one moment in this film where I tired of him. 

My main reason for watching this film though, is James Franco who played Dale’s dealer. I love James Franco, as I no doubt have mentioned before, and Pineapple Express saw him deliver a performance that was confused, vulnerable, adorable, and just downright hilarious. 

Starring Danny McBride, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Kevin Corrigan, Craig Robinson, Ken Jeong, and Ed Begely Jr., Pineapple Express was a very funny film filled with action, violence, bloodshed, explosions, lots of drugs, and so much comedy that it’s like you’re being punched in the face. This movie is definitely worth watching. 

Monkey's out of the bottle man.