rating:
(out of
4 stars)United States; 2008
Directed by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg; produced by Nathan Kahane, Greg Shapiro; written by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Starring John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry, Jack Conley, Neil Patrick Harris, Eric Winter, Beverly D'Angelo, Daneel Harris
'Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay' continues where 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle' left us. As was the case with the first film, this sequel exists out of episodes linked together in ridiculous ways. It worked well enough the first time to give it another try. Unfortunately this time this does not work as well. Although still funny, the film seems to be filled with ideas, some better than others, just put together.
Don’t get me wrong, 'Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay' delivers again, and if you liked film number one I see no reason why you would not like film number two, even though it will be a little less. The title hints to some serious satire. There are many sequences approaching exactly that, mildly successful, but chances are missed here. Especially the sequence from the title is a disappointment; the makers of 'Scary Movie' would have handled it the same way.
In short: on a flight to Amsterdam Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) are mistaken for terrorists. They are send to Guantanamo by Ron Fox (Rob Corddry), probably representing the US government at the moment. They escape, as the title tells us, and decide the only person able to help them is Colton (Eric Winter), a guy now dating Kumar's former girlfriend Vanessa (Daneel Harris). Kumar, of course, is still very much in love with her.
On their way to Colton (the White Castle in this film) they fall from one episode into the next. Most of them have their laughs, but the quality changes too much. Harold and Kumar are reliable, and these two stoners are enough to help us through the lesser parts, but I was slightly disappointed. Still, apparently part three is on the way, and this film has is enough to make me look forward for the next adventure.