James Franco and Seth Rogan get the munchies.

Rating: 6/10 (19 September 2008)

This, quite fortunately, just happens to be one of the lesser funny Appatow comedies. No I say that as a compliments rather than a criticism because there is so much more to this movie than you would first expect. There's so much more going on than you would expect in this film, the characters more complex and likable. Now that's not to say you won't get some hard laughs from it. But, honestly, there far and few between. The action is what sets it apart. It's done better and with a hell of a lot more substance than "Hot Fuzz" Though in all this is still an Appatow comedy so expect some pet hates to pop up. The crude nature, the hit and miss jokes and one of two out of place characters. None of which really makes an impact since the chemistry between Rogan and Franco is near perfect. They complement each other in the way that if one comedian is lagging the other will provide. And whilst director may overuse one them on several occasions usually it works a charm.
Critically acclaimed director David Gordon Green takes a break from the brooding drama that defined such early efforts as George Washington and Undertow for this action-flavored buddy comedy concerning two pot-smoking friends (Seth Rogen and James Franco) who unwittingly become involved with a vicious gang of drug dealers.
Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson produce a script co-penned by star Rogen and Evan Goldberg. But as many critics have said, story is not Pineapple Expresses strongest point. It often zones out leaving gaps longing to be filled with absent humour. But when it gets into full swing it might just blow you mind. And while the humour seems somewhat sacrificed to make way for the (stunning) final action set piece it doesn't seem forced unlike "Get Smart" witch merely when for effect over substance. Here you get plenty of both.
Anybody who remembers Seth Rogan from "Knocked Up" will know how good this guy is at making us laugh, and yet still keeping his likability and charm at the top of the scale and while that's all good and well it's France (who looked genuinely stone) who really blows your mind. If you though this guy was good Good as the Green Goblin you really haven't seen anything yet. Before this I considered him a better than average actor who isn't given enough screen time to an actor who rivals Shia LaBeouf in likability.
VERDICT: It might not fall into anybody's top 100 comedies ever made but hell it falls into the top 10 Apatow comedy. It's great to see them get back on track what with the god-awful Step Brothers just beginning in to fade from memory. Here we have a hit and miss comedy, the hits come from the undoubtable chemistry, action and an end set piece that will blow your mind. The miss is in that I never laughed as much as I hoped. I was entertained and was smiling but the laughs are far and few between. These complaints won't stop the film inevitably entertaining you from start till end.