One of the few films that can offend anyone, “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” does it well. Starting off with jabs at both sides of the Occupy Wall Street movement, it continues with insults towards every race, women, and just about everyone else. It might not be the best, but this is the raunchiest Harold & Kumar movie yet.
This movie is extremely R-rated. If the nudity and drug use aren’t enough, the writing is just as over the top. Very little dialogue in this film lacks a swear word or sexual reference. The film does make some profound statements through this vulgarity, concerning all manner of current events, popular culture, and the commercialism surrounding Christmas. However, It also has a small child that is exposed to marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy through the course of the film. Much like its predecessors, this balance between the intelligent and the absurd is what keeps it from being trashy, while still being incredibly (and hilariously) vulgar.
As Harold adapts to his new high-paying job, his suburban home, and his wife’s unstable family who can’t seem to accept him, Kumar remains in the childish, perma-fried state we found him in the first movie. He finds out his ex-girlfriend is pregnant, and decides he must start acting like an adult. Somehow they end up doing all manner of drugs, becoming targets of the mafia, and shooting Santa in the face; all while learning a lot about themselves and what they truly want.
Unfortunately, this is about the same plot as the last two movies, a simple goal, and then complications arise, the style becomes a little canned. This movie makes up for it with randomness and vulgarity from beginning to end.
As distasteful as this movie will be to most people, the usage of 3D is actually quite tasteful. Location shots look stunning, and some of the most vulgar parts of the movie are made that vulgar by the 3D. This further shows the skill that went into making the movie, which is much more than your run of the mill 3D powered crowd pleaser.
The movie ends much like the end of the first, with Harold showing his inner courage and standing up to those who don’t respect him, and Kumar getting his life back on track. If you’re a fan of the series, you will enjoy it. If constant, offensive, obscene humor isn’t your thing, three stars might seem generous.
You can catch “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” at the Carmike theater on 24 1/2 Road.