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Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

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Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Theatrical poster
Directed byJon Hurwitz
Hay Schlossberg
Written byJon Hurwitz
Hayden Schlossberg
Produced byGreg Shapiro
StarringJohn Cho
Kal Penn
CinematographyDaryn Okada
Edited byJeff Freeman
Music byGeorge S. Clinton
Distributed byWarner Bros.
New Line Cinema[1]
Release dates
 United States April 252008
 United Kingdom May 302008
 Australia September 42008
Running time
102 min.
CountriesUnited States
Canada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million [1]

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay is the 2008 comedy film sequel to the 2004 film, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. John Cho and Kal Penn reprise their roles as the eponymous stoner duo, along with Paula Garcés as Harold's love interest, Maria.[2] Neil Patrick Harris also returns as a satirical version of himself.

New additions to the cast are comedian Jon Reep and former Daily Show correspondents Rob Corddry and Ed Helms.[2] Other cast members include David Krumholtz, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jack Conley, Roger Bart, Danneel Harris, Eric Winter, Adam Herschman, and Richard Christy.[3]

The film was released on April 25, 2008 by Warner Bros.; this film was the first New Line Cinema title to be distributed by Warner Bros. since New Line Cinema became a division of Warner Bros.[4] The film was released on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc on July 292008.

Plot

Following the events of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Harold Lee and Kumar Patel fly to Amsterdam so Harold can pursue a budding romance with his neighbor, Maria. After a prolonged struggle with security, the pair run into Vanessa, Kumar's ex-girlfriend, who happened to be the one who introduced Kumar to marijuana and helped him come out of his shell as an undergraduate. They are soon joined by Vanessa's fiancee, Colton, who helped Harold get his current job before embarking on a career with the government. The two board the plane, and mid-flight, Kumar follows Harold to the restroom with his new invention: a smokeless bong. As Harold exits, an old woman sees Kumar lighting the bong, then exclaiming "terrorist!" air marshals immediately detain both, and the plane returns to Washington, where Ron Fox, an undersecretary of Homeland Security, interrogates the pair before sending them to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. They soon manage to escape,[2] hitching a ride to Miami.

In Miami, they borrow a car from their college friend and then, as fugitives from Homeland Security, they travel to Texas in search of Colton, with hopes that he will be able to help them through his father, who is connected with several high political officials. Kumar agrees to the plan, secretly hoping to disrupt the marriage.

After encountering a number of quirks and strange situations, they eventually board a car driven by Neil Patrick Harris. High on mushrooms and drinking Jack Daniel's, Harris transports the pair to the Texas border, where he uses his fame to get through a road block set up by the DHS. However, rather than proceed directly to the wedding, Harris insists that the trio stop at his favorite whore house. Harold confesses to the other prostitutes that Kumar is selfish and thinks only of himself and not of the consequences that affect others, while Kumar is confessing to the pair of prostitutes in the other room that he is still in love with Vanessa. However, Harold and Kumar are forced to flee after Harris is chased out, and then gunned down for branding his initials on the buttocks of a prostitute.

Harold and Kumar arrive at Colton's house the day before the wedding. Harold goes to tell Colton of their situation, instructing Kumar to remain in the car or else their friendship is over. However, Kumar sees Vanessa fall and twist her ankle, prompting him to leave the car. Kumar treats her ankle and nearly kiss until they are interrupted by Colton and a fuming Harold, who sees that Kumar left the car. Colton takes the pair to the airport, where he promises that he has taken care of everything. However, Harold and Kumar discover that they are instead going to be taken back into custody by Fox. Colton reveals that he never had any intention of helping either of them, prompting Harold to promise revenge.

On the plane, Harold remains angry at Kumar, who apologizes for getting them into their predicament and promises to change. The pair eventually overpowers their captors, but Fox then points a gun at them before being overpowered by his assistant who says that Harold and Kumar are obviously innocent. However, the assistant trips and they are sucked outside of the airplane when the door is accidentally opened. Harold, the only one wearing the parachute, is able to get a hold of Kumar, who is in freefall. They land in President George W. Bush's home in Texas, where the President is hiding to avoid attending the aforementioned wedding. After bonding over marijuana, the President pardons the pair and sends the Secret Service to help them. Harold and Kumar arrive at the wedding just in time to stop it, revealing Colton's true nature. Enraged, Colton attacks Kumar, but Harold levels him. Vanessa is angry at Kumar for embarrassing her at the wedding, but forgives him when he recites the poem that he had been writing on the day they met, but was too embarrassed to share with her until now. The three leave the wedding, heading to Amsterdam, where Harold finds Maria. The movie ends with everyone enjoying the city and its offerings. After the credits, the movie cuts to the brothel where NPH got shot. After a couple of seconds, he gets up slowly, saying,"Son of a bitch!"

Cast

Soundtrack

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay: Original Soundtrack was released on April 15, 2008. It contains 13 songs used in the movie. The track list is as follows:

  1. Ooh Wee - (Mark Ronson featuring Nate Dogg, Ghostface Killah, Trife & Saigon)
  2. My Dick - (Mickey Avalon)
  3. Cappuccino - (The Knux)
  4. Check Yo Self - The Message Remix- (Ice Cube)
  5. My Stoney Baby - (311)
  6. Chinese Baby - (Viva La Union)
  7. Nothin' But A Good Time - (Poison)
  8. Pussy (Real Good) - (Jacki-O)
  9. It's So Hard to Say Goodbye (To Yesterday) - (Boyz II Men)
  10. In the Beginning - (K'Naan)
  11. Gospel Weed Song - (Bizarre)
  12. All That I Want - (Curtis Murphy Syndicate)
  13. The Merkin Medley - (George S. Clinton)

Production

Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay cost $12 million to make.[6] The filming of Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay began in the third week of January 2007 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and finished in March.[7][8][9] Warner Bros.' spokesman said that this film was originally produced as a direct-to-video film until a decision was made to release it theatrically.[10]

Promotion

In October 2007, a "coming soon" poster featuring Neil Patrick Harris began circulating on the Internet.[11] Showing Harris astride a unicorn, the advertisement poses the question "What would NPH do?".[12]

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 54% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 87 reviews — with the consensus that the film was not as good as the original "It may not equal its predecessor, but Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay is still good for some laughs -- and food for thought"[13] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 57 out of 100, based on 27 reviews.[14] Daily Variety declared Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay "Animal House meets Dr. Strangelove" and called it "one of the ballsiest comedies to come out of Hollywood in a long time."[5] The Guardian (which rated the movie 7 out of 10) noted that despite having a "total nonsense" story, the screening of Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay was "one of the most raucous screenings I've ever attended. Even the opening credits were wildly applauded, and much of the dialog was inaudible over the laughter." [15]

Not all reviews were so glowing; Richard Roeper of At the Movies lamented that although he enjoyed the "pot-fueled laughs and the sheer energetic lunacy of the original, I was really let down by this uninspired sequel."[16] The New York Daily News said that "the movie forgets to stay true to their characters or to itself."[17] Michael Phillips of The Chicago Tribune wrote that you "find yourself smiling at some of the bits, wincing through many, many others, and ultimately wondering if the pacing would've improved had either H or K developed a terrible cocaine habit."[18] Amnesty International USA commented by saying that "Guantanamo is no joke." They have encouraged their membership to hand out fliers at movie theater screenings to promote awareness about the treatment of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.[19]

In its opening weekend, the film grossed $14.9 million in 2,510 theaters, in the United States and Canada, averaging $5,939 per theater and ranking #2 at the box office behind Baby Mama.[20] Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay performed much better at the box office than Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle which grossed $23.9 million worldwide[21] after opening at #7 in the United States and Canada with $5.4 million.[22] As of July 18, the film grossed $40.43 million worldwide.

DVD/Blu-Ray release

The film was released on DVD and Blu-Ray disc July 292008 featuring a single-disc theatrical edition, an unrated edition, or a 2-disc unrated edition. The unrated edition was featured for Blu-Ray disc. The 2-disc version features a "dude change the movie" feature which lets the viewer access alternate scenes and ending including "Harold and Kumar go to Amsterdam"

Sequel

Both Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg have announced plans to write and direct a third Harold and Kumar, Greg Shapiro will return as producer with Kal Penn and John Cho expected to return in their title roles.[23][24]

References

  1. ^ a b McClintock, Pamela (2008-04-27). "'Baby Mama' tops box office". Variety. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  2. ^ a b c MTV News (2007-05-18). "'Harold & Kumar 2' Gets Political". Retrieved 2008-08-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Lots More Hit the Road for Harold and Kumar 2". Cinematical. 2007-01-31. Retrieved 2007-03-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ 'Baby Mama' tops box office - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Leydon, Joe (2008-03-9). "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay". Variety. Retrieved 2008-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ 'Baby Mama' tops box office - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
  7. ^ "11 Board Harold & Kumar". comingsoon.net. Jan 31, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Second Harold & Kumar Starts in January". comingsoon.net. 2006-10-30. Retrieved 2006-12-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "'Kumar' Actor Has College Teaching Gig'". Associated Press. 2007-03-26. Retrieved 2007-03-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ 'Baby Mama' legit at the boxoffice The Hollywood Reporter Apr 27, 2008
  11. ^ I Watch Stuff: 'Harold & Kumar 2' Poster Asks 'WWNPHD?'
  12. ^ What Would NPH Do?
  13. ^ "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  14. ^ "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  15. ^ Rose, Steve (2008-03-10). "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  16. ^ Roeper, Richard (2008-04-28). "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  17. ^ Neumaier, Joe (2008-04-25). "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  18. ^ Phillips, Michael (2008-04-24). "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  19. ^ "Denounce Torture". Amnesty International USA. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  20. ^ "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008) - Weekend Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  21. ^ "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  22. ^ "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) - Weekend Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  23. ^ Harold and Kumar 3 Announced
  24. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (2008-07-24). "'Harold & Kumar' set for third puff". Variety. Retrieved 2008-08-02.

Template:Harold & Kumar series

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