Pineapple Express :: Wessex Scene Online

Pineapple Express

Put this in your pipe and smoke it.

2nd November 2008
Stephen O'Shea

About this film

Title	Pineapple Express
Director	David Gordon Green
Release Date	12 September 2008
Certificate
Genres	Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Our Rating	4.0/5.0
Shown at Union Films Wednesday 10th December 2008 9:00pm

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Mar 09 - Pineapple Express DVD
Oct 07 - Superbad
Nov 08 - Burn After Reading
Nov 09 - Zombieland
Nov 09 - Ghostbusters

More by Stephen O'Shea

pineapple express trailer

The creators of Superbad return to the big screen with another super good film.

Due to the massive success of Rogen’s past films which include the outstanding and hilariously funny ‘Superbad’ and the perhaps less successful but still note worthy ‘Knocked Up’ it was no surprise that his latest outing with comic genius Judd Apatow, who although does not direct clearly has a huge influence on the film, was piped as one of the comedies of the year, and I am thankful to report that it does not disappoint, either in its always funny style of humour or the brilliant performances it draws from its stars.

The story of Pineapple Express revolves around the lead character Dale Denton, Rogen, and his constantly high drug dealer Saul Silver, Franco. Rogen plays a process server, I didn’t know what it was at first either, who’s job it is to deliver subpoenas to people who have to appear in court for various reasons. This involves Denton having to dress up in disguises just to get people to admit who they are, providing a short but effortlessly funny scene. During his daily routine however he witnesses a murder and so has to go on the run to avoid being bumped off himself. Franco’s character is thrown in to the mix due to the unique weed that he has sold Denton, snd so both flee their pursuers, who are brilliantly entertaining as a couple of hit men but with deep emotional issues between them. The plot and character development is advanced by a volley of car chases, shoot outs and some of the funniest fight scenes ever performed. It is in between the action and running though that the true heart of this film blossoms, drawing you in and leaving you wanting so much more. It becomes a fantastic buddy comedy between Rogen and Franco’s characters and their on screen comedy chemistry makes you wander why they haven’t been acting together their whole careers. Franco’s performance draws the question, why he ever donned the tight suit of the green goblin when on the evidence of this film he should have started and remained in loose and baggy clothes.

While I’m talking about the performances of the leading characters it seems appropriate that I should mention all of the actors in this film who undeniably add to this comic masterpiece. This ranges from Gary Cole’s fantastic performance as the drug dealing mobster, who like most of the characters in this film isn’t adverse to sampling his own product, to Amber Heard who plays Denton’s love interest in the film despite being a good few years younger and still in high school, queue a brilliant scene in which Dale mocks a teacher and is intimidated by frat guys. Outstanding performances, outside of our two heroes of course, though come from the two hit men played by Kevin Corrigan and Craig Robinson and perhaps adding a new dimension to the traditional two man buddy system is Danny McBride as a character that you want so much to help our heroes but who has his own interests closer to heart more often than not.

Overall this film is fun for all students that like their comedy thick and fast. It continues Seth Rogen’s impressive and almost flawless record on the big screen although it is not simply a copy of his other outings as it contains some uniquely excellent performances and scenes that make it its own and still keeps you laughing all the way through. I now feel obliged to declare whether this film is better than Superbad, but unfortunately I find myself undecided and I have a feeling that even after I watch it again it will still maintain its lasting effect and so I recommend you go and see this film and judge for yourself.