Customer Reviews

Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (Unrated Two-Disc Special Edition)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Okay, I heard that this movie was really not funny or it wasn't as good as the original. After just seeing it all I can say is: WRONG ON BOTH COUNTS!

What a pleasant surprise! This film continues the further adventures of two racially stereotyped college students days shortly after their adventures from the first film. However due to Kal Penn's Kumar who just can't live without weed for one second, even though he and best pal John Cho's Harold are headed to Amsterdam where weed is legal in the first place, are caught with a bong on the plane that quickly gets mistaken for a bomb. Enter a racially moronic Federal officer (very funny) played by Rob Corddry, and the two get sent to the famous Guantanamo Bay....

..and by the title of the film alone you'd figure it was all about dealing with life in that prison, dont'cha? Wrong again. That title is misleading because this is another H&K road trip movie, because they're outta the Bay within the movie's first fifteen minutes. The rest of the movie involves getting back to America, encountering tons of stereotypes of race in different ways, saving Kumar's ex from a jerk, and a ton of other very humorous people and things along the way. Don't let the title fool you, there's alot more to this movie than a remake of "Let's Go To Prison".

Now I wasn't that huge of a fan of the first movie other than thinking it was okay at best, but Bay beats it by leaps and bounds. I must have laughed twenty to thirty good times watching it. And with the disc I choose the Unrated version and for a comedy, this one really, really pushes the limit on that term. There's some scenes in it I can't believe would be allowed on any Family Superstore's shelf. And believe me, it ain't all pot jokes either, and in fact I felt that got downplayed for other funny subjects quite well here.

So look, this movie isn't the Animal House or Up In Smoke of this generation in overall quality but bottom line, it's very funny. I couldn't believe a sequel to a movie that didn't blow me away the first time could make me laugh like this one and I didn't roll my eyes in bad-joke despair not once here. It is NOT as bad as some have made it out to be and I feel it's about time we can all laugh at each others cultural differences in film again without truly being hurtful. Definitely worth a view/rent, and maybe a purchase when both films are maybe sold together. Glad to see Harold & Kumar back, see you two again in Part III.
(RedSabbath Rating:8.0/10)

This movie was far better than I expected it to be. The critics did not give it its just desserts largely because of its use of many of the same themes and gags from their first movie, i.e., a supposed lack of originality. I disagree. The sequel builds on and successfully uses what it created in the first movie. It is essentially about how bad things constantly happen to two well-meaning but chemically challenged bunglers, who despite their many flaws, are the good guys in the movie. It is underrated as a satire as it pokes fun at the sheer boneheadedness of those responsible for such moral and legal travesties as Gitmo, instead of simply portraying them as wrong. It is ultimately meant to be funny, not a political lesson, however, and it usually achieves its goal, although it does rely more on the use of nudity and graphic "shock and awe" techniques than the previous movie. I disagree with those characterizing it as advocating drug use. No one could see how these two goofballs screw up their lives (such as getting sent to Gitmo because of Kumar's hi-tech bong) and rationally want to emulate them, anymore than watching a trainwreck would make one want to be in one. It is satirical slapstick that is both funny and ultimately goodhearted as it drives home the inner goodness of its unlikely heroes after they find two strong women to help straighten-out the messes they have created of their lives!

The airwaves and DVD players are saturated with mindless, sophomoric, ribald comedies featuring a healthy preoccupation with drug use, so let's add HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANOMO BAY to the mix, shall we? Pals Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) get mistaken for terrorists on a flight (and the satire of stereotyping is a major theme of the film) and subsequently are sent to the notorious Gitmo for some of that "enhanced interrogation". A lucky escape has them back in the States and on the run from a flag-waving zealot (Rob Corddry is a funny guy), and the chase generates adventures and mayhem. Some of it is funny, some of it is not, all of it is contrived.

An extended cameo by Neil Patrick Harris (playing himself) is certainly. . .interesting. While his exuberant, mushroom-popping performance is dynamic, his sudden, violent demise (again, he's playing himself, for goodness sake) did have me scratching my head. And don't blink or you'll miss a cameo by wily veteran Beverly D'Angelo playing a madam of a Texas brothel. Again, it's all contrived, some of it's gross, and all the weed nonsense got old really quick, yet HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANOMO BAY is part of a dime-a-dozen niche of silly comedies. Better than a kick in the pants, but not by much.
--D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning

Ok so it is sort of a guy's movie. I, however, am female, but still LOVED this movie.

I really enjoyed the first one, and the second (Guantanamo) is far funnier. I rarely buy movies (since I don't usually watch them more than once) but I bought this one.

Not really for those with weak stomachs. Also, Neal Patrick Harris's cameo in this - incredibly enjoyable.

Rent it first, but seriously, if you liked the first one, you'll LOVE this one.

I <3 Kal Penn.

I love John Cho and Kal Penn. This was the perfect sequel to White Castle. I would love to see them do another as more mature adults growing with their core audience.

Great movie and a well done Blu-ray disc. Easy to navigate through, good special features. If you liked the first movie a LOT, you will like this movie as well, though not quite as much. Still worth the buy.

So, after watching this film I was smiling from ear to ear. Everything about this film just seems to work even the most bizarre scenes are executed without a second thought. From the first seconds we recap a little and then all the craziness started and their is no rest, no joke to outrageous, no gas to low brow. I appreciate the fact most characters return for a second romp and add more flare and hilarity. N.P.H. is hilarious, more crude than before but it works. Harold and Kumar's relationships seems familiar and yet they progressed as characters acknowledging each others faults. And saying sorry. There are several memorable moments that are to taboo to explain here but if you saw the first you know what you're in for. Did it live up to the hype? Yes. Did it add more to the series? Yes. Was it as good as the first? No. It doesn't have to. This film is a continuation of the first so it had to progress right? So watch this movie and enjoy another crazy adventure. But my favorite was the first I will admit. Please just watch it. And thanks for the support and votes. If you agree with this review vote me as helpful. You're correspondent, the Renegade.

I don't have a lot to add to what other reviewers have said, except that:

* I saw "Harold and Kumar Escape" in the theatre and laughed out loud almost all the way through the movie.

* I then bought the DVD of the original movie, which I had not seen. I thought that the original movie was good, but that "Escape" was twice as funny.

* Anyone who's lived through the heartbreak and shame of the Cheney-Bush years will welcome a chance to laugh at the insanity they've inflicted on us. I especially enjoyed watching one of the other government officials beat up the "Homeland Security" Nazi while screaming, "It's people like you who have convinced the world that we're a bunch of idiots!"

* I look forward to receiving the "Escape" DVD set, which I've pre-ordered.

Ok, it has a few raunchy parts but I will say that when I watch either of Harold and Kumar's movies that I feel so great afterwards because it made me laugh so much, so deeply. I really recommend both movies - not just for teens! I'm in my 40's!

movie is obviously funny -- its harold n kumar. something i have never seen before is featured as an extra on here. you can switch to alternate scenes while watching the movie; change from bottomless party to topless party, for example. bottomless was definitely the way to go though -- good job with that, whoever made the call. most of the boobs are blatant implants, lol.