The Cinema of the Four

Harold And Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

Of the two decades my great-grandfather spent having adventures with his friend, Dr. Watson, we have a great many records, some public and some private. From the matter of the Red-Headed League to that of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, they range from the trivial to the unbelievable, but at the core of every one was the comradery and friendship of the two men who endured such moments together. Since then, there have been many great comrades in adventure: Abbott and Costello, Hope and Crosby, Freebie and the Bean . . . the line goes on through a century and more.

Which brings us at last to Harold And Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, the sequel to the equally strangely-titled Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle. As is a tradition among buddies in adventure, one (Kumar – Kai Penn) is impulsive and eccentric while the other (Harold – John Cho) is more uptight and suited for a normal life. The grand tradition of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson continues . . . well, almost.

After spending one whole movie just heading for White Castle after getting stoned, Harold and Kumar are trying to get to Amsterdam, following Harold’s true love from the first movie. Simple, yes? Not in post-911 America, where a smokeless bong gets them thrown in Guantanamo Bay with terrorists and pervy guards . . . for about two minutes. Then Harold and Kumar are on the run, encountering urban legends, half-naked women (Which half? Both.), a certain troubled celebrity who had to turn up again, and even the one person in the government who can clear anyone of anything . . . after they smoke some of his special blend with him, of course.

Harold And Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay knows who its audience is and gives them a great, fun time. If you’re under seventeen, worried about the moral state of anyone over seventeen, or demanding of documentary-level reality from your movies, you probably aren’t in that audience. Otherwise, it’s good silly fun.