The Third Wheel

PE:  Danny McBride as Red, the indestructible, bashfully disloyal dude one link up the drug dealing food chain. 

H&K:  Neil Patrick Harris, reprising his drug-addled former child star “self” with even more wondrously surreal results.  

Decision:  Nothing against McBride’s Red, who is amusing enough, but this is NPH we’re talking about – first round knockout for the Doog.

The Story

PE:  A meta-hybrid take on the stoner and buddy flick genres from Superbad scribes Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, genuine laughs are surprisingly scarce, though (contrary to most assessments) it find its footing in the final, action-heavy half-hour. 

H & K:  Quicker and more confident than its predecessor, writer-directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg take a concept that could easily have played cartoonish and keep it well within the established boundaries of the H & K universe.  College flashbacks and forays into romantic comedy (!) are also surprisingly effective.

Decision:  H & K on points – PE aims higher, but with far less accuracy than its opponent. 

Miscellany

PE:  Gary Cole and Rosie Perez as the head and right-hand woman, respectively, of a refreshingly inept drug organization; and one of the more original closing scenes in recent memory. 

H & K:  A pot-smoking W., offering perhaps the best (and/or only) defense of his administration to date. 

Decision:  Draw. 

Final Result

Surprise winner of the Midnight Toker Battle Royale and current 2008 stoner flick champ, Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay!!!!  (now available on DVD)

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