When stoners Harold and Kumar (Kal Penn & John Cho) smuggle a bong onto an international flight to Amsterdam, an innocent passenger mistakes the bong for a bomb and both men are sent to Guantanamo Bay on charges of terrorism. Forced to eat a 'cock-sandwich' the two friends must find a way out of the torture prison and back to the states where they can prove their innocence and get their dream girls. But a stern agent and some KKK members seem to have a different course of action for the unlikely duo, providing constant speed bumps and laughs along the infamous journey.
Though it outshines the original film on all accounts, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay relies too heavily on gag humor, ultimately finding itself drowning in a sea of stupidity, unable to reach the surface for air.
I have to admit, at the beginning of Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Carrying a nice pace, the film was hitting a homer as it had an even balance of slapstick and gag humor that even I couldn't complain. But then, out of nowhere, the film took a miserable turn south.
As the film progressed, the acting became more robotic than anything. The plot line took a turn towards the ridiculously absurd and most of all; the jokes became more disturbing than funny. Thrown together, the film reached a deadly halt and couldn't end in time to save itself.
The only grace comes about half way through the film when the infamous Neil Patrick Harris graces the screen. Though his role is nothing special, just having him on-screen provides the audience with a reason to laugh as he performs his supporting role to perfection, never up-staging but always demanding the audience's attention.
But unfortunately, that was the only saving grace in the last half of the film. Sure there were funny moments, but the film too everything too far, stretching it out past its funny moments and ultimately cause the whole joke to be a bad memory.
But with that aside, I do have to admit that the first thirty to forty five minutes of the film were quite enjoyable. Joining the infamous Harold and Kumar as they try to outwit the security tight airlines and reach Amsterdam, where pot smoking is legal, already high is quite hilarious. Even the thought of them sharing a cell in Guantanamo Bay is priceless. However, once that cell is reached, the jokes become more scattered and less funny, causing the film to lose its luster and appeal.
Ultimately I have to say that Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay isn't anywhere close to good. Lacking any real qualities of a respectable film, the guys just missed the mark completely. I guess if you are high or under the age of 15 then you might find the film somewhat enjoyable, but for a normal audience, there is just no reason that you should get caught in a theatre watching this film.
