"Pineapple Express" movie review

The latest film from the Judd Apatow universe is the stoner flick, Pineapple Express (R). In the flick, Seth Rogen stars as a processor server who while on the job witnesses a gruesome murder between drug dealers. Rightly convinced that his own pot dealer (James Franco) is in danger, Rogen and Franco go on the run to try to figure things out, while also maintaining their constant buzz. David Gordon Green directs this action-comedy.

Ryan: It should be pointed out that this movie is something new from Apatow and company. There's no question that they can more than handle their own when it comes to comedies and romantic comedies. But a stoner-action-buddy flick—now that's something different. Maybe it shouldn't be too surprising, considering the talent involved but Pineapple Express is pretty close to what one would expect. It doesn't measure up to some of the recent instant comedic classics (Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) but Pineapple Express is quite a funny film that's suitably entertaining.

Andy: The action-comedy subgenre is rarely done very well (48 Hours), but when it is clicking it can be highly entertaining. In its best moments, Pinapple Express lives up to the best of them. In its weaker moments it's still acceptably amusing. The movie is a little up and down and takes its time in revealing how ridiculous it is willing to get, but the script has enough good jokes to carry it through successfully.

Ryan: James Franco has been in plenty of films in his young career and he has the name (and face) recognition from the Spider-Man films but he hasn't had that breakout cinematic role—until now. He's great in this film and unequivocally is the major highlight of the movie. His performance is steeped in that cinematic stoner tradition (think Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High) but layered with little nuances that will remind people of “that guy” that they (might have) knew in college. In essence it's a performance that's cinematically iconic while also being authentic. Pretty impressive.

Andy: The strength of the film is in the performance of James Franco. While Rogen plays the same role we’re now quite used to (and may be tiring of), Franco gives a performance unlike what his movie-going audience is accustomed to. He brings humanity, depth, and nuance to a stoner / drug dealer in a ridiculous situation in a ridiculous movie. In many ways he is reminiscent of Jeff Bridges’s Dude from “The Big Lebowski,” and higher praise cannot be given when discussing stoner-comedy.

Ryan: One criticism of Judd Apatow produced films is that they run approximately twenty minutes too long. I'm not suggesting that's quite the case here but the movie does drag in some scenes and a little more cutting would not have been a bad idea. Another issue with the film is just how ridiculous it gets, especially during the climax of the picture. I'm not suggesting that the movie is grounded in reality but the film reality at the beginning (and middle) of the movie is different from the film reality at the conclusion of the picture.

Andy: An interesting, and perhaps problematic, aspect of Pinapple Express is how the story starts off quite plausible and continues to spin further and further out of control. At some point it becomes a parody of an action film (though less up front about it than 2007’s Hot Fuzz) rather than an action film that happens to be funny. When this transition occurs is unclear, and that makes for a slightly askew viewing experience.

Pineapple Express, despite some of it's shortcomings, is a fun summer diversion. Final grade: B-.