Christmas may have been and gone, but the thought of Christmas Films still lingers. There are a range of classics to choose from; `Miracle on 34th Street', `The Santa Clause' and on. So why did I choose `A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas'? For one thing I have actually enjoyed the first two in the series. Americans seem a little obsessed with `stoner' comedies and most of them are awful, but in Howard and Kumar they have two actors who are actually likable in the form of John Cho and Kal Penn. By this third act, H and K are older, but not always wiser. Harold is married and settling down nicely in a good job, whilst Kumar continues to act like a 20 year old stoner. Can their friendship last them growing apart over the Holiday Season?
`H and K Christmas' is not going to go down in the echelons of great Chrimbo movies, but it does have a certain lightness to it that is essential for any seasonal fare. There are plenty of references to Santa and more than a few hijinks with Christmas Trees. However, beyond the typical is the swearing, toddler on drugs and Neil Patrick Harris returning as a sexual predator finding women by pretending to be gay. All this should not work, but this is a very knowing film. The 3D elements are no longer valid on BluRay, but like the humour in the director and writers play with the audience. They know it's a daft gimmick, so they show it as such. The lack of 3D does not detract from the TV experience as you are in on the joke.
At times `H and K Christmas' is a little crass and some of the jokes fall flat, but overall it is a fun film with several amusing moments. The secret to it working is that it remains a Christmas film at heart. There is an arc that sees both characters learn something and get into the Christmassy sprit, as you the audience will do too. With plenty of carols and winter tunes on offer, `H and K Christmas' may just be a surprising repeat viewer in the future.
Although the 3D is no longer valid on the BluRay I watched of the film, the HD is worth having. The extras are a little light though.