DVD Tuesday: ‘Harold & Kumar 2′ & ‘Dark City’
By W. Andrew Powell • July 29, 2008 • Category: Films



Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

There are adventures aplenty coming to DVD this week, especially if you’re willing to take another road trip with your favorite modern day stoners as Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Plus return to Dark City with the release of the special edition Director’s Cut, see the Rolling Stones performing in New York City in Shine A Light, and lots more.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Once upon a time there were two stoner buddies who took a road trip on a quest to consume a stack of White Castle burgers. Along the way they crashed a university party, their car was stolen by Neil Patrick Harris, and through two hours of nudity, bathroom humour and shenanigans, finally managed to eat their pile of 60 burgers.

Although the jokes don’t zing with quite the same zest, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay is a funny sequel that sets the pot-headed duo on a new adventure, that once again turns awry thanks to their brilliant stupidity. This time out though, Harold (played by John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) have an even bigger problem as the U.S. government is hunting them down as terrorists.

Set the same day as the first film ends, Harold and Kumar are ready to fly to the pot capitol of the world: Amsterdam. That is, until Kumar lights up his fancy bong on the plane, causing hysteria when everyone thinks they’re trying to put together some sinister device. Enter agent Ron Fox (Rob Corddry), a crazed man ready to believe that any minority is a criminal and decides the boys need to be put away, where else, but in Guantanamo Bay.

After a very short stay, Harold and Kumar escape and head back to the U.S. looking for a friend who can help them convince the government they aren’t terrorists. With Fox not far behind though, their misadventures may not last very long if they can’t find some help.

While there is an abundance of stoner jokes, the sequel benefits from a few very memorable character actors, like Neil Patrick Harris appearing again as a twisted version of himself, and James Adomian as President George W. Bush. The very sweet and surprisingly funny Danneel Harris also gives a nice turn as Kumar’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa. But the best part of Escape from Guantanamo Bay is the dogged commentary on America’s foibles, which are wrapped up in fairly clever jokes about racism, drug laws, and other misconceptions.

Looking at the features, the special two-disc unrated DVD is packed with extras, including deleted scenes, and “what if” segments with a few characters. The first disc offers the best extras though, like the two commentaries with the director and cast members, plus a choose-your-own adventure that lets you “Change The Movie” with lots of extra footage, like an alternate ending in Amsterdam.

Aww, that was sweet of them. ^_^

So I rented and watched H&K today *L* it was a little gross and disturbing, as to be expected. *L* But it was also pretty funny. I had fun watching it anyway, and Danneel was super cute and funny. :)

I watched it last week and loved it. It was just as crazy as the first one, and throwing Danneel into the mix was a definite plus. I was pleasantly surprised at how big her role was. And NPH... :lol: / :(

you obviously didn't watch it till after the credits :P

Ooh, something happens after the credits?! Cause yeah, I stopped it after the montage of the four of them in Amsterdam was over. lol

nope...watch AFTER the big company globe has passed LOL (which means at the VERY VERY last

yes..something happens

Ooh. I'll totally check that out tonight, then. Thanks for the tip. lol

:lol: no problemo

you'll love it haha (knowing your history and all)

Oh NPH is the dude! *L* And oddly enough the same night I rented another movie that featured people driving while on mushrooms *L* And had someone from OTH (Moira Kelly) in it. It was pretty funny. I mean, seriously, how many movies out there in the world even feature people driving cars while doing mushrooms... there can't be THAT many. And I managed to rent and watch two of them the same night. *L*

Bah, I still haven't had a chance to find out what happens after the credits. I was busy last night and the night before that. I should finally (hopefully!) have a chance tonight.

B) it's only a minute or so..i'm sure you'll be able to cut a minute

I know, but I've been meaning to watch the whole movie again anyway, and I know once I put the DVD into the player I won't be able to resist the urge to watch the whole thing. And once again I didn't get the chance last night. I should finally have tonight to myself. lol