Iffy for 16+
Raucous, crude stoner comedy is funny but not for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the third "Harold and Kumar" stoner comedy follows the best pals on a late-night Christmas Eve adventure in which they rediscover their lost friendship ... and, in the process, get really, really high. There are endless scenes featuring drugs and drug references (including a recurring gag with a drug-taking baby), plus tons of swearing ("f--k," "s--t," and much more), graphic violence, crude comments, gratuitous nudity (male and female, boobs and butts), suggestions of underage sex, and teen drinking. All of that said, the film does have heart, and Harold and Kumar's friendship -- as always -- is a strong one.
- Families can talk about the movie's messages about drugs and drug use. Do you think this is an accurate depiction of social attitudes about marijuana? Why or why not? Does the movie address any of the consequences of drug use? As a comedy, is it expected to?
- Also, how does the movie portray teen sex and drinking?
- How do Harold and Kumar change over the course of the film? Why is Kumar so reluctant to grow up? Why do you think the friends drifted apart? Does their friendship seem believable? Were drugs really the only thing that could bring them back together?
The good stuff
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Messages: Amid all of the satire and drug- and sex-fueled humor is the idea that good friends look out for each other, through thick and thin. Even when Harold and Kumar start to grow apart, there's really nothing that can take away their many years of companionship.
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Role models: There's lots of very iffy behavior here, but despite the constant pot smoking, Harold is a responsible (if slightly stiff) family man, and Kumar finally starts to grow up. Some of the movie's humor is based on racial stereotyping.
What to watch for
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Violence: Lots of graphic violence, including slit throats, people who are burned, gunshot wounds spurting blood, car crashes, explosions, fires ,and an explicit shot of a man's penis getting maimed. Much of this is meant to contribute to the film's humor, but it's still pretty explicit.
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Sex: Many crude sexual references and both male and female nudity (boobs and butts), as well as a few brief on-screen sex scenes and suggested sex acts. Purported images of genitals are presented in a cartoonish way. A man appears to masturbate while giving a back rub to a partially clothed woman. Another man in his 20s spends a lot of time discussing his plans to deflower a virgin, who appears to be either under age or barely of legal age.
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Language: Near-constant swearing, including "f--k," s--t," "d--k," "c--k," "p---y," "a--hole," "ass," "hell," "damn," "crap," "goddamn," "oh my God," and lots more.
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Consumerism: Several brands get prominent placement, including Apple products, the White Castle fast-food chain, and 3-D TVs.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Too many drug references to count. Harold and Kumar smoke marijuana repeatedly throughout the film. A raucous teen party includes beer-drinking guests who appear to be young enough to be in middle school. Other guests indulge in other drugs, including cocaine and Ecstasy. Harold and Kumar are unwittingly drugged with an unidentified substance that gives them a very vivid hallucinogenic trip. A baby is given several strong drugs (initially accidentally, but later it's less clear), and a recurring gag plays her reactions for laughs.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Pancakes Suck by jeffrosuperfly
Enjoyed "White Castle" but were let down by "Guantanamo Bay?" Then fear not: you should enjoy this film. Harold and Kumar are fun again.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film. Yes, like Piranha 3D, the 3D is gimmicky and the movie is for adults--but frankly I'm sick and tired of every other new film being post-converted to 3D. The 3D here is very vibrant, and it's worth the extra dollar or two.
Side note: casting Danny Trejo as Harold's father-in-law is pure genius.
Yes this review doesn't say much other than the 3D isn't a let down and the film is funny (unlike the second), but if you're planning on seeing this film or even just thinking about it, odds are you've seen the first two and know what you're getting into/not expecting high art (pun intended).
If you like H&K it's see it. Otherwise, it might be best to steer clear.
5
The guys are back! by jim3300
As a fan of the past H & K movies I was a bit skeptical about another but it exceeded by expectations. I'm alreadry looking forward to IV!
4
Best Yet by Transepoch
It's getting late, so I'll keep things simple...
First, the film far surpassed my expectations. Not being weighed down by the need to make W jokes every few minutes allowed them to focus on being funny and it paid major dividends. If you've seen the first two, you know in general what is coming, along with a few interesting cameos.
Second, the 3D effects did what they were meant to do. Still the most skippable from any movie I've seen, which include post-prod converts.
Third, NPH is still the man.
And last. but not least, pancakes do indeed suck.
4
Very funny and extremely inappropriate by RandytheMovieFan
As stoner comedies go, from Pineapple Express back to the era of Cheech and Chong, the three Harold and Kumar movies stand out due to their inventiveness and the sheer like-ability of the two leads. The current movie weaves its crude schtick through 3D and claymation and creates a fun romp that has lots of laughs. Not surprisingly, the very R-rated material makes this movie more suitable for a guys night out than a date night, and it definitely is not a family flick despite the holiday trappings. There is drug use - natch - but be warned that several such scenes directly involve a toddler, which even I found troubling and I'm not offended by much. Overall, though, it was enjoyable and I'll be back in line when they do the inevitable 4th movie.
4
For Harold and Kumar fans by MovieRobot
If you really liked the previous two Harold and Kumar movies, then your going to like this one. It's like the others, very funny and sometimes over the top.
3
Movies in Review: "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" by tajgreene
This movie was lame...to an extent. I guess it was a little annoying to see Kumar still getting high after all of these years. I really didn't find his idiotic antics to be that hilarious, and Kal Penn just looked too old to play his character, and still act the way that he was. However, I thought when they mixed Harold & Kumar together, it made for a "better" comedy. I thought that the movie would be a bit more entertaining, but instead I found that it ran dull at some points. Thank goodness for the other characters/actors like Thomas Lennon who plays Todd and the baby who played his daughter Mary. Lennon always seems to have small roles in his movies but always makes his scenes count. I love him in comedies, and he was another reason I went to see this movie. The situation with his daughter Mary was hilarious. The party scene and any scene with Lennon and NPH were great, and were the highlights of the movie. Fun to see in 3D, but not a great movie...C follow me @TajuanaG
5
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas by olinoid
I didn't want it to end. My eyes didn't close for a second. The 3D and special effects were well worth the extra $4 per ticket. If you are a Harold & Kumar fan or even if this is your first time, go and have a great time.
4
Funny by BKLYNGIRL1968
It was a funny movie. My son and husband laughed alot. The only thing we all agreed was at times there was to much 3d involved where it should not have been.
4
A genuine movie with less laughs than the original. by okinawanmatt
This third installment of the "Harold & Kumar" series doesn't live up to the first movie in the "laughs-per-minute" category. However, it is evident that they tried to give it a more cohesive story, which explains the down time between laughter. If you're here for the pot jokes and the low-brow humor, there's still plenty to keep you entertained. If you're here to see the "3D" aspect of the movie, there are a few moments at the beginning that try to break that "fourth-wall" by mocking the use of 3D. However, by the time we hit the 40-minute mark, 3D use is few-and-far-between. Also, as a warning, if you've seen the trailer, you know about 70% of the plot/jokes in this movie. If you like drug-centered humor or you enjoy seeing it portrayed in movies, then you don't want to pass on this in the theaters (especially for the 3D smoke effects). If you're here for the laughs, you might want to wait for the DVD/BR release unless you want to catch the 3D effects in theaters.
4
Funny by fbakirdan
Good production! Would like to have seen more of NPH.... But the jokes are on target. Not a must see but classic H&K flick, would like to see 4th one.