Half Baked is a Comedy movie released in 1998, directed by Tamra Davis and written by Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan. Three friends start to sell weed to raise money for another friend’s bail.
Hello, there! I’m dos Santos, and this is Ulven Reviews, with Movies and series from all over the world and all eras. Today we’ll talk about Half Baked, beginning with a plot summary, through the review, and finishing with a symbolic Rating. Today it will be a quick one, like Lizzie (2018). Here we go!
Four stoner friends live together in a little apartment in New York. One night, after some smoking, Kenny (played by Harland Williams) goes out to get them something to eat. On his way back, he gives some of their junk food to a police horse. It happens the horse was diabetic and ends up dying, so Kenny is arrested for his death.
Now, the three remaining friends have to find a way to raise a million dollars to pay his bail bond. One of them, Thurgood (played by Dave Chappelle), receives a handful of a great quality weed from a scientist at the laboratory he works as a janitor.
After smoking the amazing product, they decide to sell it. Thurgood would steal the weed from his work, and then, with the help of Brian (played by Jim Breuer) and Scarface (played by Guillermo Díaz), they would sell it until getting enough money for their friend in jail.
As a personal choice, I don’t use any recreational drugs. However, I’m cool with people who do, and I’m in favor of total legalization of all drugs. But that’s a talk for another day.
I’m mentioning my history without drugs to make a point that you don’t need to be a stoner or to be high to enjoy this movie. It’s a silly and funny comedy, and even my Christian mother enjoyed it.
The plot is quite straightforward. It’s not very believable, but it’s acceptable considering the type of movie it is. You’re not supposed to take it too seriously. I’m mean, no one floats after smoking some weed regardless of how good it is.
The fundamental thing for a comedy is to be funny, and Half Baked succeeds at that. It’s not the usual type of smart and provocative humor we are used to from Dave Chappelle, it’s more absurd and foolish, but still valid and compelling.
Dave Chappelle is my favorite comedian by far, and that’s why I became interested in watching the movie, and it worth it. I think having him in the protagonist role helped me get even more engaged with the film. Also, his character was decent, compelling enough.
His romance with Mary Jane Potman (played by Rachel True) is not annoying and invasive. Often the romance completely wrecks the flow of the movie, but that doesn’t happen in Half Baked.
Every other character, including Mary Jane, is positive and with a decent performance to complete it. Nothing very remarkable besides some noticeable cameos from comedians and actors here and there.
Things like sound, cinematography, effects, and etcetera are positively mediocre. It has a very professional quality to it, but once again, that’s it, nothing too special about it. It’s always good to remind everyone that mediocre means in the middle, and it’s not necessarily a negative word.
Half Baked is no Citizen Kane, but it’s also not as bad as the critics’ ratings suggest in the specialized websites. It’s a funny movie and very enjoyable if you’re in the mood. I’ll give Half Baked a solid 6 Moons.
Crítica dos Ratos 