“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” is one of the original stoner comedy films. It comes from 2004. An intriguing era post 9/11 and pre cell phones and social media. A simpler time when two friends simply look forward to getting high together. And guess what today is! Loser.
John Cho and Kal Penn play the titular duo. Cho and Penn have starred in all three entries into the series, with this being the first. They have a great rapport with one another and come across as actual friends. One great scene where they sing along together to “Wilson Phillips” demonstrates this facet.
Harold and Kumar share a New York City apartment together. Harold hates his job as an investment banker. Kumar is smart enough to get into medical school but not motivated in any way to actually enroll.
Whilst toking reefer on a Friday night, the pair get the munchies. Specifically, a craving for the fast food of White Castle. The friends set out for what should be an easy trip. 88 minutes of ridiculousness ensue.
We can all relate to getting a craving for a specific food at some odd hour of the night. It’s a relatable situation. I also love movies that take place in a single night. Each occurrence getting weirder and weirder than the one before.
The movie is full of dumb laughs, as one would expect. There are also a lot of really disgusting moments and unfunny scenes that seem to go on too long. It’s tough to say a move that’s only 88 minutes should have been shorter. But this is an 88 minute movie that should have been shorter.
We covered “A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas” this past December. We’ll cover “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” at some point. This movie is fine. Stupid. Okay. Whatever. It’s probably exactly what you’d expect it to be.
“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” is currently available to stream.
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