How High

Plot synopsis:
The plot is centered on two underachieving pot smokers: Silas (Method Man) and Jamal (Redman). When Silas's friend Ivory (Chuck Davis) dies, Silas uses his ashes as fertilizer for a new batch of marijuana. While both are sitting in the parking lot before taking their "THC" (Testing for Higher Credentials, a parody of the SAT in allusion to Tetrahydrocannabinol) exams for college, neither is able to smoke his individual marijuana stash without the help of the other.
They soon discover that smoking Silas's new batch summons the ghost of the recently deceased Ivory, visible to just the two of them. Ivory tells them the test answers as they take the test and they both score perfect scores. Several dubious colleges offer the pair scholarships, but none of them are appealing. Eventually, Chancellor Huntley (Fred Willard) suggests the two apply to Harvard University.
Once there, they meet Bart (Chris Elwood), captain of the rowing team, his girlfriend Lauren (Lark Voorhies), I Need Money (Al Shearer), and their roommates Jeffrey (Justin Urich) & Tuan (Trieu Tran). Once they are settled in, they visit Dean Carl Cain (Obba Babatundé) who tells them that per the terms of their scholarship, they must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in order to remain at Harvard, or else face expulsion.
Jamal joins the rowing team hoping to outrank Bart, and Silas enrolls in the botany class to develop his "herbal" skills (as opposed to verbal). They both enroll in black history together, although there are two other classes in which they have enrolled alone. Throughout the first half of the school year, they pass every test with the help of Ivory. Silas continues to woo and study with Lauren, while Jamal dates the U.S. vice president's daughter Jamie (Essence Atkins).
Also during the first half of the semester, they pull pranks and steal, which angers Bart, Jeffrey (who is pledging for a Final Club), and Dean Cain. However, things go downhill after Silas and Jamal's raucous Halloween party. At the party, Gerald (T. J. Thyne), the volunteer officer whose bicycle was stolen and crushed by I Need Money, steals and smokes the Ivory plant, leaving the pair without access to Ivory.
Silas begins working on a truth serum for his Botany class, using plant extracts. Silas concludes that, if his experiment works, he will earn an A in Botany, and a guarantee of a next semester. However, his experiment fails numerous times. Before midterm examinations, Jamal suggests they go to a graveyard, dig up a "smart dead guy", and smoke his remains; Silas suggests simply that they study hard for a few hours a day while high. They try Silas's plan, but it does not pan out, as they end up failing almost all of their midterm exams.
Desperate to stay in Harvard, they try Jamal's plan, but it proves fruitless, as well. Meanwhile, Gerald, who has morphed into a complete stoner, sees Ivory during one of his binges, and, at Ivory's behest, returns the remnants of the Ivory plant to Jamal and Silas. However, because very little remains due to Gerald's abuse of the plant, Jamal and Silas continue to fail their classes (which excites Dean Cain).
With the last final exam approaching, Jamal and Silas resign themselves to give up. However, Jeffrey reminds Silas of his guarantee of another semester if he can successfully fix his truth serum experiment. Silas ultimately does, having found a solution in which the last of Ivory's leaves could be used to counteract nausea.
Nonetheless, because of their low grades, Jamal and Silas do not receive an invitation to the Harvard Alumni party. Dean Cain, clearly thrilled with this result, tells Bart he does not have to worry about the pair showing up or staying in Harvard. However, that changes when Jamie invites them both as her dates, as her father is an alumnus. At the party, Silas makes things a bit more interesting by testing out his truth serum experiment, which proves successful.
At Lauren's presentation at the alumni party of Benjamin Franklin's artifacts, she shocks everyone with her discovery: the artifacts turn out to be a bong. Dean Cain is outraged by this finding, but the Chancellor decides that he has had it with the Dean and fires him. Jamal and Silas are proud that the serum worked, a celebration that was almost short-lived, as Dean Cain returns and unsuccessfully attempts to kill them both. He is eventually apprehended by Secret Service. At the end, Jamal and Silas are able to stay, Jamal and Jamie get approval of Jamie's father to date, and Lauren leaves Bart for Silas because Bart "can't satisfy her".

Tags: cult

Review:
Rappers Method Man (Wu Tang Clan) and Redman play two "potheads" (for lack of a better term) who through the use of a magical herb attain brilliance and gain acceptance to Harvard University.
Being a proud fan of lowbrow humor and a fan of Method Man and Redman, "How High" seemed like a no-brainer comedy, and I was right!
The only downside is Mike Epps' pimp character, done much better by Eddie Griffin in "Deuce Bigalow." The bottom line: Rent it, have a few beers and some good laughs without taking it too seriously..
I understand the fact that everyone has got their own taste when it comes to a movie genre and therefore some might feel that a "comedy" is based on a particular set of principles, essentially going into humour.
But there are different ways in which many people perceive humour, some believe it's all about the jokes, some enjoy the swearing involved and others might love the typical Woody Allen script.This movie isn't set to achieve an Oscar or any kind of prestigious award.
If you liked soul plane, then you're going to love this one.So don't vote negatively just because it wasn't your cup of tea and try to understand that there's a different generation out there that really appreciates a good fun entertaining movie to watch as they also appreciate the other styles of "comedy"..
You have to smoke one before you watch this movie,it's still funny if you don't,but its meant to be seen stoned!!!!
This film is hilarious!!Method man and Redman (suprisingly) made me laugh so much and soooo often!!
It may a good movie but its definitely aimed at all you hip-hop/comedy lovers.Essence Atkins looks HOOOT too!!!GOOD MOVIE-great fun for all those wanting a movie...lacking a great story line but filled with loads of laughs.8/10 is a very fair score-give the movie a try.
Cheech and Chong had that to a T and comedies like Half Baked and Friday got pretty close to that tradition, as does this movie which is surprising since this is Method Man and Redman's first comedy together and is co-produced by Danny DeVito.Method Man here is a mass weed grower who grinds the ashes of his departed friend into his plant which helps him and his new friend played by Redman, score high on exams that get them excepted into Harvard university.
From the looks of that plotline it looks pretty standard and it is if you take the film as seriously as you would Up In Smoke and Animal House, but the film's big kick comes from the charm (did I just say that?) and humor from the two stars, the gags they encounter and the supporting characters input as well.
In other words, if you mind the grass, this isn't for you, but for people who are fans of the stars or just want a high comedy time, this is for you.
So despite the films heavy emphasis of promoting marijuana use, which I'm not sold on, I had to see this movie, because I'm a big fan of rap music and would rather see these guys in films over the likes of Britney and Mariah any day.How High is hilariously funny, but it's not for everybody.
One day, after a friend of Silas was killed in a hilarious accident, Silas and Jamal are smoking a potent type of pot that gives them a high that allows them to "see dead people", namely Ivory, the man who was killed in the accident.
Also in the film are another great rap group, Cypress Hill, and former NBC alums Anna-Marie Horsford (Amen), Fred Willard (DC Follies), and yes, Lisa from Saved By The Bell (Lark Voorhies).The DVD contains a lot of stuff, from the usual documentaries, music videos, commentary, etc to neat things like the "Hide The Stash" game where you have to find Meth and Red's pot by clicking on the correct 420 and there's even a preview of Eminem's "8 Mile" film.
The two being: Method Man as Silas: A smart cookie and renowned local weed-chemist who would rather be developing new strains of powerful weed than furthering his education.Redman as Jamal: A street smart but not very book smart young guy who wants to get into college only because his Mum demands it.When the ghost of Silas's deceased friend helps them ace the entrance exam with perfect scores – yep it's that easy folks – they decide Harvard is the place for their further education.Both guys nab hotties in quicktime, Meth the cute egghead and Red the crazy skank from esteemed parentage.The usual "cool but frankly inappropriate guys getting up to stuff while the squares gasp" ensues.Fred Willard is the oblivious old white guy in a senior role who thinks these two guys are just super.
Hector Elizondo is the old white guy in a senior role who suddenly thinks he is black and ends up acting thusly, and the film ends with a formal gathering in which the boys get everyone stoned and the staid old white people getting fonkay in impromptu fashion.
I have read some critics that say that this film introduced a whole new generation to the Cheech & Chong of the new millennium with the Redman/Method Man pairing.
While there were elements in this film that seemed like there was some reverse racism occurring, what struck me hardest in the face was how embarrassing Method Man and Redman must be to both the film community, but also to their own culture.
Method Man and Redman, who completely different people, were nothing more than the same character in this film.
How High, from beginning to end, was anything but original.I must admit, after watching this film of which Harvard was willing to loan their name to, I don't want to go to Harvard.
Redman and Method Man star in this comedy except they ain't doing nothing funny expect acting all Hollywood.
All the laughs need to come from the white B-actors all around in this movie who make funny faces, do funny dances, try to rap but can't and act like they are stoned.The basic premise is rather cool (when they start to smoke their old buddy he reappears as a ghost) but this whole thing is lost througout the movie when the whole thing is about....
I'm actually watching this movie right now, a painful scene where a Harvard university student's bicycle is stolen and smashed by our nice stars, Jamal & Silas.The movie kicks off with a load of racial stereo types jokes, the obnoxious rich white kids in the rowing team, the "down with it" stoner characters.But I digress, this is obviously a stoner flick, if you're after a high school comedy try...
Now I'm not saying that they are superb actors or that they deserve an Oscar or anything like that, but they know how to act.How High is a funny stoner/hip hop flick about two guys who meet and go to college together, it's really hilarious, the jokes are simple but very humorous.
The plot although fairly generic is good, this movie really stands out, it's easily one of the best stoner flicks ever and is on up there with Cheech & ChongRedman, Method Man, hiphop, marijuana.
This movie does nothing but reinforce the stereotype that urban blacks are just sex crazed weed smoking bums expecting a free ride for everything in life.
If african americans want to change their image and stereotype(proved true so many times) and not be generalised like they are then movies like this arent a good way to start..
"How High" tells of two ghetto blacks (the African American equivalent of Cheech & Chong)  who smoke a friend (literally) which gets them into Harvard where they...um, do stuff.
Making a comedy based around pot-smoking, for an appropriate audience that certainly doesn't want to have to concentrate too much, should not usually pose much of a problem for film-makers.
How High is an brutal movie with an extremely stupid storyline a lot of really bad jokes,there was no part in this stupid comedy that made me laugh.Going into this movie I didn't really think it was going to be good,but it was even worse than I thought.I only watched it because me and my friend both have Netflix and he said I should check this out,I really don't understand how he liked it.When I was looking at the opening credits,I knew none of the cast,apart from Fred Willard,but I don't like him,but then I saw that Danny DeVito was a producer,so then I thought it myth not be that bad,but it was terrible.I hope he got paid well for being part of this disaster.This movie is stupid,not funny,a big depressing,and at times very racist,I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.One of my least favourite movies ever.Two potheads trying to get into Harvard smoke the ashes of their dead friend which makes them very intelligent..
This movie might be funny to a high school burnout because they're getting blunted all the time.
I just saw how high, this film could possibly be the worst movie ever made.
And sure, you have many black jokes and many pot jokes in this film, but it's done in a surprisingly intelligent way that was both funny and incredibly original.
Silas' (Method Man) friend Ivory got killed in a freaky accident, then cremated and literally smoked by him and appears to these two men as a ghost that will help them get perfect scores on the test, and hence their ticket to Harvard.
Utterly absurd.The jokes rely on "ghetto language" (some of which was actually funny) and Method Man and Redman's antics regarding smoking pot and getting high which one would think it should be enough for a stoner comedy to function, but to me it wasn't enough, it was just horrible.
The two main characters it has, flawlessly played by their actors, manage to excel at what they do and how they act, making sure to provide a good time for the viewer.
Even after seeing it multiple times, it still remains very funny and as a result, it's one of my favorite comedies of all time.To sum things up, we're faced with an excellent comedy which excels at making you laugh through its plot, characters and actors, especially if you're a type of person who can appreciate what this movie tries to do.
Also I don't understand why people think that this is one of the best weed comedies.In my opinion films like Jay and Silent Bob or even Detroit Rock City are much better.There are better films out there don't waste time with this one..
After loving so many fun black/pot movies like "Half Baked" and "Friday", it seemed we would be destined that something like this would come and take all of my faith in humanity away."How High" is essentially three things: 1, it's a stereotypical black  pot movie, starring Methodman and Redman as two stoner retards who, through smoking their death friend Ivory, get into Harvard and then cause havok.
The whole movie the two rappers are smoking pot and acting like what they truly are in real life: two idiotic young thug-wannabes who cannot do anything good besides rap.
I was pretty high when I saw this movie and I think those are the only circumstances under which it would be entertaining.Three things I like about this movie:1) Method Man and Redman are awesome.
What is that stench?" Oh, that's my cologne, cannabis for men." How High is a must see for all people all over the world who like movies about weed.
Both of them pass the exam with perfect scores and they decide to go to college...The main roles of Silas and Jamal are played by two famous rappers called Method Man and Redman, who have got lots of good feedbacks for their excellent acting.
Method Man surprised me with his stylish kind and that is the main thing which makes this movie funny.
The movie was pretty watchable, good and funny in its 1st half, but towards the middle and going to the end, it got boring and I lost interest.
The first half was good because Method Man (Silas) & Redman (Jamal) weer the main focus, they were funny and they were interacting with each other.
They were both great in this, especially Method Man, his character was funny and smart.
You can't get a more ridiculous plot than two stoners smoking their dead friend's ashes and then being able to see him.Even though Method Man and Redman aren't the best actors in the world, the movie fit their abilities.
Great humor runs through the entire film (no wonder with Redman and Method Man, and Danny de Vito as a producer) You don't have to constantly think about whats gonna happen or like thrillers "who's the killer etc.".
The movie is simple and just out for some laughs kind of like "Half Baked" with Dave Chapelle.
If your a weed smoking hip hop fan then you will love this movie.
it's a shame, this is a good movie, if you're part of the THC club....And luckily i am, and i really enjoyed this movie.I can though see that(definitely for non-tokers) this movie may seem boring, lack of plot or what-not BUT this is not an ART-house movie, it really was simply made to quench the thirst and appetite of "stoners"..For this alone the movie scores very highly as with the likes of "half baked", "idol hands" and any new or old stoner film, they have a very specific target audience.With all this said, if you don't smoke, or don't even have friends that smoke, then you will probably hate this film as you will be far flung to find some common ground between yourself and the flick, and this is not art-house, so being entertained you will not...Sum-UP: if you have never drank alcohol, would you sit through a buddy movie based entirely around the booze?
I also think that Method man and Redman don't get enough credit for the way they play their parts in the film.
I think this movie would be more funny if you smoke weed, but if you don't do that it is ok because it is very funny, but you maybe don´t understande some of the jokes..
Method Man is just insanely funny and he's got a certain character that really carries the movie.
Oh man I watched this movie not sure what to expect but hoping for something laid back and along the lines of "how high".
How High was an energetic and silly as all hell stoner movie, with many scenes that would almost only make sense to one of baked, but is also humorous to anyone else.
In a generation of hip hop, this movie seems to sum up everything that Method man and Redman Rap about on their albums....pimps, hoes, money, weed, and a harvard education.
You can't beat Method Man and Redman as a team in rap music and you can't do it in dope smoking comedies.
This film is about 2 men named Silas (Method Man) and Jamal (Redman) that ace the college exam and are both eccepted into Harvard,where they will make a smart school with people that follow the law into people that will f**k up the law anyway they can!!!So if you like films with hot woman,lots of laughs then this is the movie for you!!
If you liked Half Baked, Up in Smoke, and Friday you are going to LOVE this movie!!!
Though Method Man and Redman show better acting skill than most rappers out there to day: better than Ice Cube, better than Dre and Snoop combined, better than LL Cool J, doubtful if better than Eminem, but we're yet to see his performance in "8-Mile", the movie still doesn't hold up against "Friday" or "Half Baked." It had some very good jokes, but it didn't get much farther than that..
I am a big fan of Method Man and Redman on the hip-hop tip but I am very critical when it comes to movies and the acting chops of hip hop artists.
Salias who is a smoking weed type of a guy who get'sinto Harvard and shows them a good time.
This movie is so funny I couldn't stop laughing.
I thank Method Man and Redman for doing a great acting job in the movie.
If you love comedy with two guys smoking weed, then go see "How High."A+ ****** (out of ****** stars) 13/13.
I went into the theater expecting a movie that was just pure comedy and that's what I got with "How High".
Someone else's comments said that it was better than "Friday", but I completely have to disagree with that b/c I could watch "Friday" over and over again, but not "How High".If you want something that's silly and doesn't require anything more of you than to just sit and laugh (although some parts of the movie had my stomach turning big time), this is a good one..
It's a comedy about some guys going to college, etc.It isn't meant to stir deep thought about the meaning of life or anything like that.You should see this movie if you're looking for a laugh and a good time.
Overall, if you want to have some simple-minded fun, and if you are in the mood to laugh, watch this movie..
I had only heard one song by Redman and Method Man and figured this would be some rap-centric movie about two gang bangers trying to get through college.I was wrong.
All in all the film is a 'feel good' movie with a happy ending.
There's enough plot and humor to make it viewable and I would definitely consider watching another Method/Red movie..