Blu-ray Review: The Harold & Kumar Collection

Harold & Kumar Collection

I’m a big fan of the Harold & Kumar movies. I think they are hilariously ridiculous. A salute to classic R-rated gross-out/stoner comedies of times past. And yet, despite their oftentimes over-the-top nature, the trilogy works on a very subtextual level that puts on par with films like Tree of Life and The Master.

Just kidding! It all began with Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, which is still my fave out of the three. I remember watching it for the first time and laughing so hard I was crying. It alone will forever be in the same echelon of comedy classics like The Hangover, Anchorman, and American Pie. The premise is simple. The execution is hilarious.

If you haven’t seen it, I have to say that by far one of the greatest highlights of all three films is the appearance of Neil Patrick Harris who just takes things to such a heightened comic level that you’ll be tempted to watch his scenes over and over again. He’s amazing!

But let’s not forget Kal Penn and John Cho who knock it out of the park as two best friends who just want to eat White Castle and get high. And their attempts to do the former are fraught with more than a few mishaps!

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay was enjoyable but not nearly as good as the first. Like most comedy sequels, this one seemed to be trying too force the laughs and try and top its predecessor. Usually when that happens the sequel pales in comparison instead of succeeding at its goal. Such was the case here. While still funny, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay just didn’t work for me.

Now, A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas was just fantastic. It wasn’t on the same level as the original, but I liked it much more than the sequel. With plenty of 3D gimmicks, animation, and lots and lots of gross-out jokes, nudity, and violence, A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas was a balls-out holiday-themed comedy that is destined to become a Christmas classic (although I wouldn’t try and sneak it in while the family is gathered to watch Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life).

The three disc blu-ray edition is a great deal and is totally worth the money. I watched all three back-to-back and had a great time and I was stone-cold sober when I did! I highly, highly recommend this trilogy to fans of the films or anyone who is a fan of gross-out or pot humor.

The Harold & Kumar Collection is available NOW on blu-ray!

Which Harold & Kumar movie is your fave? Leave a comment and let us know which one and why!

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