Harold and Kumar have a serious case of the munchies. And this kind of craving can't be satisfied by any ordinary delivery or fast food. No, this time it's gotta be White Castle. If only they can find it. Along the way they have to battle racist cops, "extreme" skater punks, dorky stalkers, and Neil Patrick Harris. All in a day's work for two guys looking to score some herb, fill their bellies, and land a date with the hella-cute chick from down the hall.
Granted, there's not much in the way of a real plot to Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. It's mostly just to set the stage for their comic misadventures. But that's okay, because their misadventures are quite comic indeed. The laughs range from slapstick to satire, with a healthy dose of stoner humor and gross-out gags thrown in. The movie is mostly in the mold of American Pie or Road Trip -- with more drug humor -- so if you liked either of those you will definitely like this one.
The themes are pretty much the same as any R-Rated teen comedy: the uptight nerdy guy struggles to overcome his doormat attitude with help from his more free-spirited buddy. The difference with Harold and Kumar is that it casts actors of Korean and Indian descent in those roles. Deciding whether or not this is one of those "empowering minorities" movies is an exercise best left to the intellectuals. Meanwhile, we'll just sit here and listen to "Extreme Mix Tape 5" and say with certainty that at least Neil Patrick Harris' wallet was empowered.
Acting is all-around solid for a comedy, with an amusing cameo by Jamie Kennedy along with the well-known NPH appearance.
All in all, Harold and Kumar is a surprisingly hilarious comedy that should take its place in the pantheon of great ganja-related flicks.
