How to watch The Pineapple Express
I saw The Pineapple Express over a year ago and loved it. I thought it was one of the funniest movies of the decade (a seemingly bold statement until you look at the comedies this decade). Now that its release date is almost upon us, I'm chagrined to see that it's getting some lousy reviews. Upon reading the reviews, however, I just tend to get annoyed since the critics don't make much sense. A few of them claimed they laughed a lot but didn't like the plot or cinematography. Isn't the point of a comedy to make you laugh? Another guy seemed upset that it was a buddy comedy instead of a rom-com. A third reviewer compared it to Pulp Fiction, which she apparently thought was a comedy. So to save everyone from walking into the wrong movie, here are some tips on how to watch and enjoy The Pineapple Express.
1. The film is stupid. It's a dumb buddy comedy. The plot is barely there and is, at times, very silly. You have to go in expecting an over-the-top film. It's like "Live Free or Die Hard". I liked it because I went in knowing it was over-the-top and a borderline superhero movie. "Pineapple Express" is a comedic version of that. If you are sitting there, focusing on plot holes or thinking, "Well that wouldn't happen" you aren't going to like the movie. Similarly, if you couldn't enjoy "Road Trip" because the plot was the same as "Overnight Delivery" and was hardly original, then you'll have problem with this film.
2. It is violent. What "The Dark Knight" did with superhero violence, "Pineapple Express" does with comedic violence. It's not a rake in the grass, it's a random shlub sloshing through blood and trying to shoot it out with the bad guys. Picture two stoners giggling as they watch "True Romance" while listening to The Geto Boys first album. Now imagine if those stoners then decided to combine the two into a comedy. Imagine no more because that's "The Pineapple Express".
3. Forget that David Gordon-Green directed it. If you don't know who David is, then don't worry. If you know his past works, do not compare them to "Pineapple Express". It's a completely different movie in every way, shape, and form.
4. One of the major flaws in the film is the pacing. There are two scenes near the beginning of the film that are WAAAY too long. I saw a rougher cut and hoped they would trim those scenes down but apparently they didn't. The film sputters at the start but bear with it because when it gets going, it's hilarious.
If you go into the theater with those four facts in mind, I think you'll have a great time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
