I think ‘stoner’ comedies are funny.  I’ve watched the Cheech and Chong movies numerous times (although I probably shouldn’t have seen them at the age I did), and I love Harold and Kumar…but would I love Dale and Saul, the stoner buddies of Pineapple Express? The answer is a resounding YES! Dale and Saul are one of the funniest comedy teams I’ve seen in awhile. 

Dale (Seth Rogen, Knocked Up) is pretty much a loser.  He is a process server, meaning he doesn’t do much of anything.  Mostly he just drives around smoking weed and listening to the radio.  Occasionally he dresses up in costumes to fool people into admitting who they are so he can serve them a subpoena.  After work he hangs out with his 18-year-old, high school girlfriend, and buys weed from Saul (James Franco, Spiderman).  Although Dale doesn’t like Saul at first, he has to be nice to him to get the good weed – like the new blend called the pineapple express.  After buying his weed from Saul, he goes to serve one more client, taking his new blend with him.  While waiting outside he accidentally witnesses a murder by a policewoman (Rosie Perez, White Men Can’t Jump) and the local drug lord (Gary Cole, Office Space).  Stoned and scared he throws his joint out of the car and races to Saul’s.  Paranoia ensues as the two think they will be found.  Turns out that hit men who have been sent by the drug lord really are following them.  For me, this is when the movie really begins.   The audience follows Dale and Saul on their stoned adventure, and it is some funny stuff! 

First I want to give recognition to Danny McBride (The Foot Fist Way).  He plays the middleman between the drug lord and Saul, and he is hilarious!  He takes a shot like a champ, and keeps it going.  I definitely look forward to seeing him in more movies!  Now on to the rest…I am not a James Franco fan.  Normally when I watch him act…well try to act…I just want to smack him, but I actually enjoyed him as Saul.  The only other time I’ve liked Franco was also when he played a stoner, in “Freaks and Geeks.” So I guess that’s the role that works best for him. I already knew that Franco and Rogen would have great chemistry, and it was in full force here.  Rogen plays the loveable loser with ease, and here it is no different.  Surprisingly though, he also shows himself to be a bit of an action star.  This movie had a lot more action than I expected. There were fights, guns, and blood abound.  I was surprised at how much blood was in the movie, not that it was an excessive amount – I just wasn’t expecting it.  Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg dabbled in action with their last effort Superbad, but they really dive right into this movie.   

I’ve heard from some other people who have seen this movie that they think it’s more of a ‘guy’s movie.’ I don’t agree though.  I think it just depends on the person, of course, but if you’re a comedy fan I think you’ll enjoy the Pineapple Express.  I’m going to give this one a B+ and you know what…I think I’ll give James Franco another chance. 

Peter Bretter (Jason Segel, Freaks and Geeks) thinks he has it all with his hot celebrity girlfriend of five years, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars).  Unfortunately for Peter, Sarah doesn’t agree and in one of the funniest scenes in recent memory she breaks up with him.  So begins Peter’s journey to becoming truly happy which includes a trip to Hawaii where he meets and befriends the guests and staff of the hotel he’s staying at.

But of course there’s much more to the movie than that, including a refreshing performance by Mila Kunis (That 70’s Show) who plays Rachel, a new love interest for Peter and the receptionist at the hotel.  Kunis’ Rachel is the perfect opposite to Bell’s Sarah.  There’s the obvious difference that one is dark and the other is fair, but there’s more to it than that.  Rachel is a laid back girl who cares about others while Sarah is very high maintenance and self centered, but still has her moments of sensitivity.  Both actresses are wonderful in their roles and really help make the audience see Peter’s dilemma in deciding whom he’d rather be with. 

Segel takes on multiple duties in this movie.  Not only does he star, but also wrote the script, some of which was taken from real life experiences.  Now I don’t know if these experiences were as funny when they happened to Segel, but he had me laughing until I cried at some of the things that happened to his poor character.  He makes the audience really feel for Peter’s character and everyone will be rooting for him by the end of the movie.  How could you not root for someone who wants to write a Dracula musical with puppets? (Another great scene in the movie, believe me…it’s hilarious!)  

Although Segel is the obvious star of the movie, there are other great performances that shouldn’t be overlooked.  Paul Rudd (The 40 Year Old Virgin) shows up as a stoner surf instructor, and Jonah Hill (Superbad) cannot be forgotten in his waiter role.  Russell Brand shines in his role as Aldous Snow, a full on rock star and Sarah’s new boyfriend.  I’ve not seen Brand in anything before, but I look forward to seeing lots more of this wonderfully engaging actor.

Directed by first timer Nicholas Stoller and produced by the well-known Judd Apatow (Knocked Up), Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a comedy that both guys and girls will enjoy.  I could end this with some funny little quip about not forgetting this movie, which I hope you won’t, but instead I’ll just say that I can’t wait to see more of Jason Segel’s work because he is a talent that has been overlooked for too long and is finally breaking out.  So if you haven’t heard of him before, take this opportunity and go see this movie!

I’d definitely give this movie an A.  I think it has a little bit of something or everyone, and is a definite must see for any fan of the Judd Apatow crew.