Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Crass, cliched stoner comedy has drugs, nudity, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The 420 Movie
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE 420 MOVIE (also known as The 420 Movie: Mary & Jane), Jane Hightower (Lindsey McKeon) has just returned to Humbolt (sic) County, California from dropping out of college in New York City to help run the marijuana dispensary operated by her sister Mary. Their father, Mayor Edgar J. Hightower (Daniel Baldwin), is a womanizer and gambling addict, and when his gambling debts spiral out of control, he's in danger of losing his town and his cannabis farm to a three-foot-tall Mexican drug lord (Verne Troyer). Fortunately, Mary and Jane have just the solution to raise the needed funds. They have created an "Electric Blunt" and a more potent strain of marijuana. These creations are so incredible, even the jaded weed smokers of Humbolt County will gladly pay $25 for each hit. Now, Mary and Jane must attend a blowout party and raise the necessary funds to pay off the Mexican drug lord, one hit at a time.
Is It Any Good?
This movie is a powerful counterargument to those who claim that marijuana use leads to enhanced creativity. The 420 Movie is an uninspired mess of endless weed and drug cliches, crass humor, and gratuitous sex jokes. There isn't a single moment in this movie that even produces the smallest, barely whispered ha-ha. Of course, someone watching a movie like this doesn't have the expectation of witty repartee and sophisticated observational humor for refined intellects, but there's an expectation that there will be at least one marginally funny moment. This is about as far-removed from "stoner comedy" classics like the Cheech & Chong movies and Friday as you can get.
There's a self-awareness throughout the movie that reveals that everyone involved is aware that they were making a stupid movie, but this awareness doesn't extend to seeing that they were also making something completely humorless. The cameo from Riff Raff almost breaks up the monotony. Perhaps the only good thing to say is that the acting mostly isn't awful. But aside from that, there's nothing else remotely positive to say about this incredible waste of time and celluloid.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about comedies that fail. What makes a movie that attempts to be funny not funny? How is this subjective?
How is The 420 Movie similar to many other "stoner comedies?" How is it different?
How is sex used as a source for gratuitous humor throughout the movie? Aside from the two lead characters, how are women presented?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 7, 2020
- Cast : Keith David , Krista Allen , Daniel Baldwin
- Director : Robert A. Johnson
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Novus Content
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 81 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 4, 2022
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