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A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR CHRISTMASMovie Reviews
Comedy about the two friends reconnecting after years apart as they embark on an ill-advised journey through New York City in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Cast:John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Patton OswaltDirector:Todd Strauss-SchulsonRelease Date:November 4, 2011DVD Release:February 7, 2012From:Warner Bros.Rating:RLength:2 hr 16 minIn 3D
FEBRUARY 7, 2012
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, Good (Not Great) Reviews, Mixed
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas played to good not great reviews. Reviews were mixed. • Dana Stevens wrote for Slate, "Because I enjoy Harold and Kumar's company (or maybe just the company of Cho and Penn, who are pals off screen), I'm willing to forgive them a lot." • And Norman Wilner wrote in Toronto Now, "Is it a new holiday classic for the ages? Not really. But it's funny and it's weird, and it uses 3-D really well." More Reviews Below...
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas Positive Reviews (43 Reviews, reviews below)
Richard Corliss, Time: MODERATE "...lively, ripely, blithely obscene.... finally wears down the disapproval of reluctant viewers with its cheerful demeanor and a late heart transplant."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,084 words, 11/03/11
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: WEAK(cg) "...nothing can disguise the fact that this series has run out of steam, that the film's stars have outgrown the roles that made them famous."(See all of Christy Lemire's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 524 words, 11/03/11
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...merrily outrageous, over-the-top fun.... an absurdly touching tale of hard-won friendship... wouldn't you know it, a 3-D movie that actually works."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 721 words, 11/04/11
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: POOR(cg) "...more of the same, but less of the impact, like weed from a bad dealer.... Say it isn't so. H&K are past their sell-by date. Way past."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 204 words, 11/03/11
Claudia Puig, USA Today: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...silly, if uneven, fun.... While it mocks 3-D technology, it also makes relatively fresh use of it... It also pokes fun at tired holiday movie conventions... offers a few surprises."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 443 words, 11/04/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...seems a little tired. It's one thing to get a laugh with a lot of baby poo thrown at an SUV window. But when the poo is still there an hour later, you wonder..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 704 words, 11/04/11
Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies: EXCELLENT(cg) "I guarantee it's the only film you'll see this year to feature an entirely convincing 3-D cocaine snowstorm. Do not try this at home, people!"(See all of Glenn Kenny's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 607 words, 11/03/11
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...never goes quite as far as 'The Hangover' films, but it comes close.... the filmmakers have mistaken 'outrageous antics' and 'envelope-pushing' for 'funny.' "(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,048 words, 11/05/11
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: VERY GOOD "...that stoned baby and a stunning riff on the tongue-stuck-to-a-pole scene in 'A Christmas Story' will, for fans of this franchise, make this a blissful holiday season..."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 324 words, 11/04/11
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "These doobie-doing dudes turn out to be as welcome as the holiday chestnuts on the soundtrack. To be blunt, they belong here - God help 'em."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 450 words, 11/04/11
Michael Phillips, Los Angeles Times/Chicago Tribune: WEAK "Neil Patrick Harris, at least, brings a cynical brio to his scenes. But the 3-D only makes the general not-funniness that much closer."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 309 words, 11/04/11
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...goes out of its way to offend virtually everyone... In addition to topless nuns, Jesus makes an appearance, accompanied by a pair of topless female angels..."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 11/04/11
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "More hits than misses in this dependably dopey yuk-fest. Great 3-D effects, too.... the sequel is best when it mocks racism by embracing it."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 356 words, 11/04/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...seems a little tired. It's one thing to get a laugh with a lot of baby poo thrown at an SUV window. But when the poo is still there an hour later, you wonder..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 704 words, 11/04/11
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...makes good use of the extra dimension. Clouds of pot smoke drift in front of your nose, a Claymated dong nearly hits you between the eyes..."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 393 words, 11/09/11
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: WEAK(cg) "Neil Patrick Harris makes a quip that he'll see the guys in the fourth feature. Let's put a stop to that notion right now. That's all I want for Christmas, dudes."(See all of Linda Barnard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 622 words, 11/04/11
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...nearly as funny as the first and funnier than the second... succeeds in its heroic quest to leave no stoner unturned. Think of it as 'Airplane!' with controlled substances."(See all of Carrie Rickey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 454 words, 11/04/11
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: WEAK(cg) "...there's nothing sadder than a 30something stoner, years of smoking and pounds of attacks of the munchies having taken their toll."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 521 words, 11/04/11
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: VERY GOOD(cg) "...will stuff your stocking with profane, perverse, politically incorrect glee.... It's all so wrong that it's irresistibly right."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 378 words, 11/04/11
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a ridiculous stoner comedy that upends a few conventions while working harder for laughs, which don't come quite so easily anymore."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 395 words, 11/04/11
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) "Say what you will, but these movies have their fingers on the pulse of the nation.... unnecessary, drug-addled, and very funny..."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 547 words, 11/04/11
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: WEAK(cg) "...no fun at all, no matter how wrecked you are. Ratings note: The film contains full-frontal nudity, strong language, and violence. Oh, and drug use. Duh."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 531 words, 11/04/11
Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle: POOR(cg) "You know how 3D films have gone beyond in-your-face gimmickry to explore the rich artistic possibilities of a new technology? Well, not this one."(See all of Amy Biancolli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 425 words, 11/04/11
Soren Andersen, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "Some of the humor is actually subtle... But most of it is broad and bawdy. Fans of the stoner duo wouldn't have it any other way."(See all of Soren Andersen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 378 words, 11/04/11
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "Santa Claus gets a shotgun blast to his head, Jesus hosts a heavenly party with topless angels and a toddler gets high. A twisted mind is required to appreciate this..."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 507 words, 11/04/11
Tom Long, Detroit News: GOOD(cg) "Santa gets shot. A drugged baby spins out of control. Neil Patrick Harris turns out not to be gay. Beer pong is played. Hallucinations are had.... proudly ridiculous stuff."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 329 words, 11/04/11
Rick Bentley, Miami Herald: MODERATE(cg) "...the film version of regifting. No matter how good the product, there's no big reason to get excited because you've seen it before."(See all of Rick Bentley's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 417 words, 11/04/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (9 Reviews)
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...makes good use of the extra dimension. Clouds of pot smoke drift in front of your nose, a Claymated dong nearly hits you between the eyes..."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 393 words, 11/09/11
Josh Tyler, Cinema Blend: MODERATE(cg) " 'Harold & Kumar's' heart is in the right place. Now if only they'd found a way, as they did with the previous films, to also make it funny."(See all of Josh Tyler's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 762 words, 11/03/11
Ann Lewinson, Boston Phoenix: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Inventively directed by Emerson alum Todd Strauss-Schulson... The 3D is mandatory; a little weed wouldn't hurt either."(See all of Ann Lewinson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 158 words, 11/10/11
Nathan Rabin, AV Club: EXCELLENT(cg) "The filmmakers throw everything at the audience, literally and metaphorically, and the results are exhilarating rather than exhausting."(See all of Nathan Rabin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 362 words, 11/03/11
Nick Schager, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "Penned with surrealist wit by series creators Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, and helmed with zany panache by director Todd Strauss-Schulson..."(See all of Nick Schager's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 629 words, 11/03/11
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: POOR(cg) "The only good thing I can say about this flick: I'm glad to see a successful, popular franchise featuring two nonwhite actors in (mostly) color-blind roles..."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 403 words, 12/09/11
HIGHBROW PRESS (5 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: VERY GOOD "...that stoned baby and a stunning riff on the tongue-stuck-to-a-pole scene in 'A Christmas Story' will, for fans of this franchise, make this a blissful holiday season..."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 324 words, 11/04/11
Dana Stevens, Slate: GOOD "Because I enjoy Harold and Kumar's company (or maybe just the company of Cho and Penn, who are pals off screen), I'm willing to forgive them a lot."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 780 words, 11/04/11
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon: EXCELLENT "I'm pretty sure the co-writers and director are all Jewish, but hell -- nobody's ever crafted Christmas entertainment like the people of the Torah."(See all of Andrew O'Hehir's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 944 words, 11/04/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Justin Chang, Daily Variety: MODERATE "...hit-or-miss... a string of cartoonish, often violently over-the-top episodes, barely held together by the reliable odd-couple pairing of John Cho and Kal Penn."(See all of Justin Chang's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 749 words, 11/03/11
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: MODERATE "...the filmmakers are counting on someone to think this is all edgy humor when in fact Cheech and Chong beat everyone to the punch years ago."(See all of Todd McCarthy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 876 words, 11/03/11
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: VERY GOOD "...that stoned baby and a stunning riff on the tongue-stuck-to-a-pole scene in 'A Christmas Story' will, for fans of this franchise, make this a blissful holiday season..."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 324 words, 11/04/11
20.3 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas's reviews are separated by an average 20.3 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (43 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas's reviews cover 71.2% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 23,134 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 538 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas Coverage, Volume & Length (43 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 3.5 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas's reviews on average broke 3.5 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (43 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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