We all know what makes a Yuletide classic: a character whose inner child has been corrupted by the cynical world around him, an adorably precocious kid determined to help them, Frank, Nat or Judy crooning away in the background, Santa hitting up a candy-cane bong and Neil Patrick Harris groping unsuspecting women. Ah yes, the Christmas spirit is alive and well!
But oddly, A Very Harold And Kumar 3D Christmas is actually quite sweet. Yes, the less-than-dynamic duo of Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) again act as the lettuce in a marijuana and penis joke salad. However, in this third instalment of the stoner franchise, the lads reveal their softer side. As the film begins, the friends have grown apart, with Harold abandoning waster Kumar in order to fully embrace the responsibilities of married life. But when Harold needs to track down the perfect Christmas tree to keep his psychopathic father-in-law (Danny Trejo) onside, the boys reunite, reigniting their fun-loving friendship along the way.
It’d be easy to object to the crude, politically incorrect comedy. Racial stereotypes are as common as the ever-flowing stream of cheapened The Hangover gags, such as an encounter with aggressive Ukrainian mobsters and a running joke about a stoned baby. And as random surreal animated sequences reign supreme, the filmmakers seem to be banking on the audience being as high as the characters.
But there are more hits than misses, and some are brilliant. Penn’s career with the Obama administration is consistently mocked, while Neil Patrick Harris is a twisted, cynical, womanising delight. And though the use of 3D to highlight penis size or joint smoke might not leave James Cameron worried, there are enough meta-jokes about the technology to keep you laughing.
All the while, Cho and Penn’s chemistry proves genuinely endearing. And combined with certain extremities becoming frozen to poles, this proves a cheerfully foolish, fun and festive little trip.