Movie Review: A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)

The movie stars Kal Penn, John Cho, Danny Trejo, Danneel Ackles and Eddie Kaye Thomas.

I picked out this Christmas movie last night mostly because I was in the mood for something different and had never seen it. However, I did, admittedly have some doubts about this one, mostly because, while Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is one of my favorite comedies, I wasn't overly impressed with the Harold & Kumar Escape Guantanamo Bay sequel.

I also couldn't help but wonder if the fact I wasn't able to watch this 3D film in 3D would make it worse than it normally would, especially since a lot of 3D movies focus too much on that and not as much on the plot. However, after watching it, I have to admit this movie was considerably better than I was expecting it to be.

One of the things I loved about Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle was the way the writers included a whole bunch of unexpected twists and turns that either played a major role in the movie or were just there for a short-lived comedic effect. While this movie never really reached the same level as the original, it did do a decent job of at least trying to recapture some of that magic, whether it was inadvertently introducing a toddler to drugs or accidentally giving Santa Claus a head wound.

And, while their quest to find a Christmas tree didn't really prove to be as difficult as an adventure as getting to White Castle, it did still have its moments, especially when they accidentally destroyed a replacement or were sidetracked by a crime lord's (Elias Koteas) henchmen because of a misunderstanding involving his daughter (Jordan Hinson),

I will admit, while I did enjoy the movie overall, there are some moments in it that did make me feel a little uncomfortable, especially the scene involving Neil Patrick Harris having a conversation with Jesus (Jake Johnson) and White Castle hold over Goldstein (David Krumholtz) talking about his conversion to Christianity. Fortunately, however, those scenes were kept to a reasonable minimum, at least to the point I could chuckle a bit and move on. But, if you're easily offended, this is something that may make you want to avoid watching it.

The first movie is still the best by a lot. But, this did prove to be a funny Christmas comedy that I found I did enjoy watching. However, because they don't hold anything back, it may not be a movie everyone will enjoy.

My Grade: B