Best watched while stoned

Rating: 6/10 (29 September 2008)

I had a positive experience with Pineapple Express. Not only did I watch an amusing film, but I also discovered a new musical artist. For those who remember the trailer, the song played was Paper Planes (the new single from M.I.A.).
This has been the year for stoner comedies. This is the third movie released in only a few months and it's arguably the best of the bunch. I've not yet viewed the first stoner film Strange Wilderness , but with its 0% approval rating on Rottentomatoes, I doubt I will. I was able to catch The Wackness during its theatrical run and I enjoyed it, but I don't think many outside of its youthful target audience would. Pineapple Express is similar to The Wackness in that regard. It's a comedy, thriller, and gangster movie fused into a single picture but with a touch of pubescent humor. The result is a cacophony of watered-down elements from its three influences with extra forced funnies. I liked it but I'm younger than the central characters, so go figure.
The film begins with Dale Denton, a process server who loves his job, visiting his marijuana supplier. Apparently, Dale only dislikes the lost time between delivering subpoenas. His supplier is the eternally stoned and emotionally underdeveloped Saul. Saul's job is to sell pot, and he has lots of it. He gives Denton some pineapple express or high-grade pot. Denton is driving around later that night and witnesses a murder by a corrupt policewoman and drug lord Ted Jones.
Ted discovers Dale's hastily dropped roach and goes after him. Dale flees to Saul's and gets the hell out of there. They hide in the woods and eventually enlist Saul's supplier, Red for help. Red doesn't help and the two are forced to find other means of evasion. This is where the film becomes particularly funny. They sell pot to children, steal a police car, and even contact Dale's underage girlfriend. All of which is essential for their survival. Each event fits into place very well and isn't hyperbolic. A lot of these stoner films (Dude, Where's my Car? comes to mind) become downright silly and lose their humor in acceptance of that silliness. This one doesn't do that. Pineapple Express is required to keep a somewhat serious tone because of its other two ingredients.
Now, despite avoiding capture for so long, Ted and his cronies capture Saul. Dale won't have any of it and vows to save him. He also, coincidentally, needs to deliver a subpoena to Ted. He asks Red for help, which he doesn't get and infiltrates their hideout. Dale isn't successful immediately, but he does rescue Saul with Red's delayed help. A lot of male bonding happens during their firefight with Red. It's reminiscent of a romance but with brotherly dialog in place of sexual chemistry.
Pineapple Express benefits from its loose structure. It is never a complete thriller, comedy, or gangster film but an above average hybrid. The comedic elements parody the gangster elements well. Ted Jones in no way appears like a drug lord and, instead of having a femme fatale beauty, he has an overweight cop who is only marginally interested in him. Seth Rogan, as screenwriter, noticed this ability and took advantage of it many times. There's an instance when Dale visits his girlfriend to meet her parents, and too seek refuge from his pursuers. He enters a formal dinner covered in ashes and sweat, and doesn't notice anyone's surprise. Dale's shoddy appearance convinces his girlfriend's parents that she is a lunatic, all in good conscience, of course.
As entertaining as the film is, it does fray at the end. I can only handle so much comic violence. The rescue attempt epitomizes my frustration. I won't spoil it for you, but I was relieved that it was over. Fortunately, however, the silliness occurs at the end of the film and doesn't ruin the experience. Still, despite my criticism, I'd recommend a viewing of Pineapple Express, but I think your capacity to enjoy it is inversely proportional to your age. Note: "Pineapple Express" is also the word for a naturally occurring weather phenomenon which brings heavy rain to Hawaiian coasts.
Final Consensus: *** and ½ out of *****