 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
- Review Date: April 24, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Stoner social satire is rude, crude, and funny.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that plenty of teens will want to see this marijuana-centric sequel, which goes out of its way to push buttons -- and that the filmmakers don't really worry about when to say when. Expect constant marijuana use, strong language (including "f--k," "p---y," and many more), broadly comic violence, and sexual content -- including both male and female nudity (topless and bottomless). That said, behind all the joking and the toking, there are some nice messages about real friendship, as well as some interesting observations about the racial and ethnic profiling that's taken place since 9-11 and the dangers of excessive law enforcement in the name of safety.
What's the story?
After their successful search for snacks in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Kumar (Kal Penn) and Harold (John Cho) plan a trip to Amsterdam to follow Harold's crush, Maria (Paula Garces), and enjoy marijuana in a legal setting. But when Kumar's bong is mistaken for a bomb on the plane, the two wind up taking a very different trip to a very different destination -- Guantanamo Bay. Once they escape, they must make it to Texas, clear their names, stop Kumar's long-lost love from marrying the wrong man, survive the wild partying of rogue actor Neil Patrick Harris (as himself), and get back to New Jersey safely so they can make it to Amsterdam and reunite Harold and Maria. In short, it's kind of like The Odyssey, only with weed smoking, toilet humor, and gratuitous nudity.
Is it any good?
HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY is an acceptable follow-up to the first film. The jokes aren't quite as consistent as in the original, but Penn and Cho still make for a charming, easy-to-watch odd couple with great timing and real warmth between them. They even wind up making a side trip to Crawford, Tex., where they meet President Bush (played by professional Bush imitator James Adomian), who's depicted as a good guy who likes to unwind with a little weed; when Kumar notes that he doesn't quite trust the government after all he's been through, the president offers: "You don't have to believe in your government to be a good citizen; you just have to believe in your country."
Of course, this pearl of wisdom is spoken through a cloud of exhaled marijuana smoke, but still. And while Harold and Kumar take many side trips in their journey back to safety -- dodging blind justice as personified by Rob Corddry's idiotic special agent as they go -- they're motivated by more than just their affection for weed and the hunt for a good time; they truly care about each other, and they believe in real love. Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay doesn't have the divinely inspired vulgarity of, say, Blazing Saddles, but it throws out so many jokes so fast, with such gleeful dimwit glee, that it's hard to not find something amusing in it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's messages about drugs and drug use. Do you think the movie is an accurate depiction of social attitudes about marijuana? Why or why not? Does it address any of the consequences of drug use? As a comedy, is it expected to? Families can also discuss the racial and ethnic profiling that Harold and Kumar are subjected to. Do you think that happens in everyday life? How does the media undermine and/or reinforce those kinds of assumptions and stereotypes?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Perfect for Teens
It was great movie. Tho the party part was over the top, very inappropriate. It is not recommend for young children to see! Beware Parents!
A good teen movie, tho
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Kid, 12 years old
April 27, 2009
AGE
not for tods, tweens, teens, or anyone without a sense of humor
Rated R comedy would get an NC-17 for a drama. Still a great, funny movie, though. Explicit language, persuasive sexuality and nudity, and some bloody violence and drug use still gives it a 4 star.
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AGE
Everybody and up
I lved it everybody is allowed to see the bottomless party we see a lot of vagina
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AGE
ok for teens{should be older teens or mature teens}
wow this movie was so vulgar. extremely funny but realy bad
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AGE
Funny for older teens
I watched this film not expecting it to be so graphic. This film is hilarious but strong on nudity, drugs and swearing. For some one under 15 you may want to fast forward the no pants party. The part with the prisoner guards is also pretty gross. I think this one is better than Harold and Kumar go to white castle although it is more explicit.
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AGE
This is not a good movie, too much nudity
I didn't watch this movie all the way through, but this is not an appropriate movie for anyone. There is a lot of nudity, if you want to watch a Harold and Kumar, watch Escape to White Castle.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 24, 2009
AGE
NOT FOR KIDS !!!
I watched this in my room. It was the unrated extended(I could of watched rated but I wanted extended). They say the F word at least 150 times (in the unrated). There is lots of sex(full frontal of both genders,same sex makeouts, the prisoners are forced to give oral sex to the guards at guantanamo bay.Drugs, (they fall in george W. Bushes house and smoke weed with him, they bring weed on a plane to smoke in amsterdam. but overall this is an AWESOME MOVE!
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AGE
very funny teens and adults only
very funny truth os it has some nudity 16 and over or mature 15
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AGE
Read
Rated R: A scene of a little gore, Strong sexual content, Strong and crude language, and plenty of drug use
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AGE
Not as good as the first,but good for laughs
Still funny, but not as good as the first one
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| Studio: | Screen Gems |
| Directors: | Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz |
| Cast: | John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 102 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 24, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | July 28, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language and drug use. |
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