So, before I begin I would like to state for the record that for a very long time I would have considered this an 8 or 9.
I'm in the middle of maybe the 7th viewing since first watching this about 12 years ago. This movie nails a lot of what it goes for and, yes, should be considered for the stoner canon of films. It could have been the next Cheech and Chong if the leads wanted that. I even somewhat liked the sequel, though it was a noticeable decline in quality.
...Heavy spoilers to follow...
However, what stuck out this most recent viewing was just how many of my favorite moments are similar to other classic bits done ibefore. This latest viewing I had realized when they got to Newark early on, it was hitting the same spot as National Lampoon's Vacation. Before I had noticed the similarity to the bush peeing bit (featuring Jamie Kennedy) to There's Something About Mary, and (more egregiously) the raccoon in the car being similar to the deer bit in Tommy Boy.
Now I am not alleging that this film plagiarized any of the mentioned film, and understand that some of the similarity may be my own pattern recognition. But it does make me question my enjoyment, and if some weight is being carried by other things I already liked. Just a bummer.
But this film does a lot right and is funny throughout. I still enjoy the viewing experience and I can't hate it.
There is also some problematic language that hasn't aged the greatest. Contextually, I think it's thematically justified, but I think if it was made today it wouldn't belabor it as much. Your mileage may vary.
Anyway, still funny and relevant. Worth the watch, or rewatch, but I'm not as in love with it as I once was.
I'm in the middle of maybe the 7th viewing since first watching this about 12 years ago. This movie nails a lot of what it goes for and, yes, should be considered for the stoner canon of films. It could have been the next Cheech and Chong if the leads wanted that. I even somewhat liked the sequel, though it was a noticeable decline in quality.
...Heavy spoilers to follow...
However, what stuck out this most recent viewing was just how many of my favorite moments are similar to other classic bits done ibefore. This latest viewing I had realized when they got to Newark early on, it was hitting the same spot as National Lampoon's Vacation. Before I had noticed the similarity to the bush peeing bit (featuring Jamie Kennedy) to There's Something About Mary, and (more egregiously) the raccoon in the car being similar to the deer bit in Tommy Boy.
Now I am not alleging that this film plagiarized any of the mentioned film, and understand that some of the similarity may be my own pattern recognition. But it does make me question my enjoyment, and if some weight is being carried by other things I already liked. Just a bummer.
But this film does a lot right and is funny throughout. I still enjoy the viewing experience and I can't hate it.
There is also some problematic language that hasn't aged the greatest. Contextually, I think it's thematically justified, but I think if it was made today it wouldn't belabor it as much. Your mileage may vary.
Anyway, still funny and relevant. Worth the watch, or rewatch, but I'm not as in love with it as I once was.