The Nevada Sagebrush

This time around, as the dynamic duo deals with much larger troubles than the munchies, “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” keeps the stoner-comedy genre alive with dirty humor, over-the-top characters and the return of everyone’s favorite child-star turned-unicorn-jockey.

Bellies full of burgers and their fated journey to White Castle complete, Harold Lee (John Cho, “West 32nd”) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn, “House”) are headed to Amsterdam to chase after Harold’s dream girl-next-door, Maria (Paula Garcés, “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”), but before they can even make it out of the country, Kumar stirs up yet another round of mayhem, landing the duo in Guantanamo Bay as suspected terrorists. Chaos ensues as Harold and Kumar narrowly escape a lifetime of serving Guantanamo prison guards “cockmeat sandwiches.”

The weed-whacked pair escape the prison only to find themselves on the run from the racist Homeland Security, Agent Ron Fox (Robert Corddry, “Semi-Pro”), who will stop at nothing to make a play on every obvious racial stereotype imaginable.  Whether it be interrogating Jews with handfuls of pennies or threatening Harlem neighborhoods by pouring out and wasting an entire can of grape soda, Fox provides slightly controversial racial humor that is only made safe by his role as the ridiculously ignorant antagonist.

Despite its funny nature, there is a bit of heart buried underneath all that vulgarity and hash-induced humor. The heart of “Escape from Guantanamo bay” lies unexpectedly in the typically nonchalant Kumar, who bumps into his “one that got away,” Vanessa (Daneel Harris, “Extreme Movie”), only to find her engaged to a well-to-do Abercrombie-sporting pretty boy.

And despite being on the run from Homeland Security, Kumar can’t help but reminisce about her in a romantic flashback, revealing the pre-stoner version of himself, a math and science geek who smokes his first joint in the library stacks, as well as quick glance at a younger, emo-haired Harold.

In staying true to its stoner-comedic roots, “Harold and Kumar” suffers the same shortcomings as countless other movies of its genre.  With a plot that is both predictable and over-the-top, it attempts to keep audience’s interest with intermittent shock humor that often falls short of its goal.

This formula, which has been played out in dozens of movies before it, often makes for an overly funny, but imbalanced film.  It’s a mold that newcomers like Judd Apatow are successfully breaking by balancing a good plot with funny jokes.

Make no mistake—“Harold and Kumar” still relies on vulgar comedy that plays on sexual innuendo, drugs and racial stereotypes.  If you weren’t a fan of the first installment, the sequel has taken no different approach.  While not the highest form of comedy, the film makes the best of a genre that’s been beaten into ineptitude by abysmal movies featuring Dane Cook or directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer of “Date Movie”.  The plot is weak and the acting is mediocre, but the jokes can be hilarious if you only take the time to unsaddle your high horse (or unicorn).

‘Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay’
Release Date: April 25
Director: Kevin Lima
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn and Rob Corddry
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Grade: C+