Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

 Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

This Friday in theatres is the mother of all comeback comedies in the return of “Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay”.

Of course those who are joyous about their return have already experienced “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle” from 2004. The misadventure of these two friends came about when they were trying to locate the nearest White Castle to settle a case of the munchies brought on by an illegal leafy substance use.

Their antics introduced us to such characters as Goldstein, the Extreme Sports Kid, the I’m So High Kid and, best of all, Freakshow. The most amazing part of this film was the reintroduction of Neil Patrick Harris who became a cult hero playing himself after the release of this film.

At the end of the film, Harold and Kumar are going off in search of Harold’s love Maria and, being made more happy that they are going to Amsterdam.

Enter ‘Escape from Guantanamo Bay’, it is the next day as Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) are packing for their trip to Amsterdam. In the airport they run into Kumar’s old flame Vanessa (Dannell Harris) and her fiancé Colton (Eric Winter) and Kumar goes into a snit over her choice of men after only two years from their breakup.

Once on the plane Kumar gets himself into trouble and Harold is once again along for the ride. Being mistaken for terrorists aboard the plane, an anal government employee Ron Foxx (Robb Corddry) is making it his lot in life to send these two terrorists to Guantanamo Bay for the rest of their lives.

Upon escape, the boys hitch a ride back to the shores of America trying to figure out a way to clear themselves. They remember Vanessa’s fiancé Colton has pull in Washington and decide to go to Texas and get his help.

On the way they experience the south up close and personal. Their run-ins are hysterical and predictable for them. A familiar face helps them get to where they need to go.

Arriving in Texas, Kumar comes face to face with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa while Harold tries to get Colton to help. As usual with these two it goes insanely wrong but only to make it all come out right.

FINAL WORD: I have always loved the first Harold and Kumar and this is absolutely no exception. Cho and Penn reprise their roles without missing a beat. Cho is the straight never-do-wrong guy while Penn seems determined to break any stereotypical role of an Indian (as in India).

Of course, the amazing reaction came when seeing Neil Patrick Harris reprise his role as, well, Neil Patrick Harris. There would be no sequel without him and the audience loved every minute of it.

I must admit, the repartee between Rollie, Kumar and President GWB was absolutely hysterical. Perhaps we all have misjudged him!

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” four tubs of popcorn out of five. This is totally not the movie for everyone but, it is a great ride for the original Harold and Kumar fans. There are laughs, gags, stunts, antics and everything you remember from the first film times two.

The audience participation was awesome, loud and totally added to the experience. It was a good time with old friends so go, enjoy and don’t take anything seriously