Pineapple Express (Sony Pictures)
Comedy/Thriller Is Neither Funny Nor Exciting
Pineapple Express is the latest comedy from the Judd Apatow house of charm. James Franco and Seth Rogen co-star in this tale of drug users, drug dealers, and drug suppliers. The film is a throwback to the days of Cheech and Chong and about as enjoyable to me now as that was then.
Rogen plays Dale Denton, a process server. Denton spends his days tooling around the city looking for his clients and then donning a variety of disguises so that he can easily serve them. He also keeps a large stash of weed on hand so that he can smoke and drive at the same time. Dales dealer is Saul (Franco), a fun loving guy who adores his buppie. She is the one stable force in his life.
One day Dale witnesses a murder and flees to Sauls house to hide out. As they talk Dale realizes he dropped part of his stash and that it is pineapple express a very distinct drug that can lead the murderers (Gary Cole and Rosie Perez) to Sauls house. They also figure out that one of the murderers is the guy who heads up the drug ring that supplies Sauls suppliers.
The bad guys do come after the two men and chase them all over town. In desperation Dale and Saul go to see Red (Danny McBride) who is Sauls supplier. They want to learn more about these guys who are pursuing them. This is where the movie changes from comedy to action.
The drug jokes in the film are old and stale and watching two stoners run around just isnt funny. Rogen and Franco throw themselves into their roles but it is wasted effort. The script and the premise are losers from the start, plus the actors seem to be making up the script as they go along. Some scenes actually ramble on for an eternity, adding nothing to the plot or the enjoyment of the movie.
The film is rated R for profanity and violence.
The plot of Pineapple Express sort of demands you think drug use and abuse are funny. If you dont, then you are out of luck with this movie. But even without the drug plot, seeing two immature men loafing through life is a downer. It didnt work with Step Brothers and it doesnt work with this one either.
Judd Apatows brand of humor is getting old fast and the decreasing popularity of his movies shows it. It is time for his comedies to grow up and deliver some serious humor. Rogen and Franco are two talented actors who deserve better than what this script offers them.
I scored Pineapple Express a hazy 3 out of 10.
