Harold and Kumar can’t ‘escape’ the laughter

John Cho and Kal Penn return in this sequel to 2004’s Harold ‘amp; Kumar Go to White Castle. Stereotyped as a ‘stoner comedy,’ the heroes will be chased around the U.S. instead of chasing down burgers.

‘Harold ‘amp; Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay’ picks up where the original ended.

The two are eager to fly to Amsterdam to find Harold’s interest, Maria, and smoke plenty of marijuana. Immediately, the misadventures commence.

The sequel takes a new direction, focusing on issues of America’s post-9/11 society. Airline passengers mistake Kumar’s ‘bong’ for a ‘bomb’ and the two are sent to Guantanamo Bay, a prison for terrorists in Cuba. The producers successfully satire Homeland Security, our heightened sense of paranoia and our government without offending anyone.

After escaping the Guantanamo prison, the movie evolves into a cat-and-mouse chase with a series of awkward misadventures.

They are captured by KKK members and mistaken for illegal immigrants. In a galvanizing scene, the immortal and memorable Neil Patrick Harris (famously known as N.P.H.) returns to save our stoner heroes.

With a title like, ‘Harold ‘amp; Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,’ laughs are assured.

The inclusion of Harris as a promiscuous and drug-using celebrity is iconic. Playing a fictionalized version of him, N.P.H.’s appearance makes fans cheer in the theater.

‘Escape from Guantanamo Bay’ includes gratuitous nudity, racial stereotypes and drug use; elements that can make anyone’s jaw drop. But the film’s ability to go against the grain and challenge political correctness is heartwarming.

The film accomplishes this with its crude comedy and pop-culture references.

Compared to the original, the sequel takes the raunchiness and sexual innuendo to another level. The crude aspects don’t make the film unappealing; it’s strewn together so intelligently.

On the run, the diverse odd couple parachute into President George Bush’s Texas ranch. Harold, Kumar and the president bond over marijuana.

Ideal for someone who smokes, the second ‘Harold ‘amp; Kumar’ doesn’t fail to entertain.

Original fans will be pleased, but first-timers not suited for the vulgar humor will be turned away. As N.P.H. says, ‘Gentlemen start your engines! It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!’