Reviewed by Johnny McNair

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment – 117 mins – 2008 – Rated R/Unrated – 1080p Widescreen 2.40: 1 – TrueHD 5.1 – Digital Copy

Thanks to the success of the Harold and Kumar films, stoner movies are bankable again, so being that Hollywood knows how to chase money like a bloodhound looking for a fox, it’s obvious there will be several of them pushed out into theaters, both good and bad. Fortunately the new film to be spawned from Judd Apatow, Pineapple Express is a good one. Coming to Blu-ray from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Pineapple Express delivers the laughs and gives you the munchies.

THE MOVIE

Seth Rogen (Apatow’s wonder boy), plays Dale Denton, a loser whose job is to serves subpeoneas to unsuspecting people as he wears a variety of costumes. He actually likes his job but he likes smoking weed a lot more, which leads him to pay a visit to his deal Saul, played by James Franco to replenish his supply. Saul, a total burnout, introduces him to a top-secret type of bud called Pineapple Express that gives you the ultimate high.

Dale’s quest to get high leads him to be the only witness to a murder, that makes him the target of a psychotic drug lord (Gary Cole) and a dirty cop (Rosie Perez). On the run, Dale drags Saul into the mix and the two of them get into the biggest unintentional adventure of their lives, filled with tons of hilarious one liners, gun-toting baddies, and lots of weed.

Like some of the best buddy stoner films, Pineapple Express works because of it two stars, Rogen and Franco. The chemistry between them is on the money, and no matter what stupid things they do and say, you want them to win. Like most Apatow films, the jokes are not for PG crowd, so if you like your laughs raw and swift this film is right up your alley.

Director David Gordon Green should also be credited for keeping the pacing flowing, because he takes what could have been a silly un-watchable experience, and turns it into a film that guys loves to quote and make references to for years. Is this film perfect? No way, but it’s hilarious and is worth re-watching just to see what you missed the first time around.

VIDEO

Pineapple Express hits Blu-ray with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a full 1080p image that looks great. The colors are bright, flesh tones are perfect, and black levels are solid with very little grain. There’s nothing spectacular about the image quality, but there’s nothing disappointing about it either.

AUDIO

Offering a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound mix, Pineapple Express sounds crystal clear, which is very important, because there are so many one-liners flipping by that you’ll want to hear every one. There is plenty of action in the film with car chases and gunfights, so all your speakers will get a work out.

EXTRAS

Pineapple Express has a huge bag of bonus goodies to offer in it’s two-disc set, including both the theatrical and unrated versions of the film, as well as a Digital Copy.

The audio commentary track seems to feature everyone who worked on the film and their cousins. Director David Gordon Green, Producer Judd Apatow, and stars Seth Rogen, James Franco, Rosie Perez and Danny McBride are all talking over each other, so if you’re interested you may have to listen to this a few times to take in everything that’s being said.

This is one of those movies that throws in every bonus feature you can think of, which is complimented because you’re getting your money’s worth.

Here’s what you’re getting:

-The Making of Pineapple Express.

-The Action of Pineapple Express.

-Twenty five minutes of deleted, alternate and extended scenes.

-Gag Reel.

-Line-O-Rama Just some quick one liners.

-Direct-O-Rama – Listen to the direct as he does his thing on the set.

-Item 9 – A deeper look at the military experiment from the opening prologue.

-Saul’s Apartment – features quick clips of Saul and his customers who drop by.

-Red and Jessica’s Guide to Marriage.

-Begley’s Best.

-First Table Reading – with the cast reading through some scenes.

-Comic-Con Panel.

-The Injury Report – looking at all the injuries that occurred during filming.

BOTTOM LINE

If you loved previous films either directed or produced by Judd Apatow, you’re going to dig Pineapple Express. It’s a very funny film, that is over the top at times, but if it wasn’t it wouldn’t be fun. The Blu-ray earns eavery cent you’ll pay for it with two versions of the film, a Digital Copy, and a swarm of bonus features. If you want laugh, pick this one up.

SCORES: (Out of 5):

The Movie: 3.5

Video: 4.0

Sound: 4.0

Extras: 4.0

Bottom Line: 4.0