Opening Notes:
Not since Cheech and Chong ruled the screen, or at least when Dazed and Confused opened, has a movie about marijuana had such widespread release. This time the movie is Half-Baked, which offers a humorous look into the lives of four twenty-somethings, and their obsession with “Mary Jane.”

The Cast:
Dave Chappelle (The Nutty Professor), who also co-wrote the script, stars as group leader/narrator, Thurgood Jenkins. Thurgood works as a janitor at a science lab that conducts research on the medicinal value of marijuana. Jim Breuer (“Goat Boy” from Saturday Night Live) plays Brian, the stereotypical stoner. Little-known Guillermo Diaz (Party Girl) takes the role of Scarface, the streetwise fast-food worker, while Harland Williams (Dumb and Dumber) acts as Kenny.

Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong fame, plays “The Squirrel Master” who protects Kenny from being Nasty Nate’s “Prison Buddy,” so to speak, and Clarence Williams III (The Mod Squad) plays Samson Simpson, the city’s head drug dealer. There are also lots of good cameo appearances including Snoop Doggy Dogg, Willie Nelson, Bob Saget (who has one of the funniest lines in recent history), and Janeanne Garofalo.

The Plot:
Actually Half-Baked does at least attempt to string together a plot. The movie opens with the four friends back at the hangout about to light up some marijuana. After they get their buzz, it’s Kenny's turn to get the snacks. He goes to the convenience store, buys the food, but on the way out sees a police horse tied to the light post. He feeds the horse, and the horse keels over dead (it turns out the horse is diabetic). Kenny is sent to jail as a cop killer, and bail is set at $100,000. The rest of the movie follows the antics of Thurgood, Brian, and Scarface as they sell pot that Thurgood has stolen from the lab to “fund-raise” the bail money.

The Good:
Dave Chappelle is one of the funniest young comedians in recent memory, and he plays the role of Thurgood with just the right amount of sarcasm to get the most humor out of his lines. Breuer, who I don't really care for on Saturday Night Live, plays his part very well also. The scene where he is fired from the used record store and then launches into a Jerry Maguire-esque “Who's comin’ with me?” monologue is especially good. The best part of the movie is the cameos though. As Thurgood explains the different types of smokers, a familiar celebrity rolls out and takes on the role. Each of these moments is humorous, and offer some of the best laughs of the movie.

The Bad:
The ending to the movie is a little too unrealistic for my tastes. Brian had purchased some of “Jerry Garcia’s Ashes,” and as can be easily predicted, when a final fight scene has the guys in trouble, the pouch comes off Brian’s neck, and the Spirit of Jerry Garcia emerges to save the day. It was a bit stupid to say the least. Also, the scenes between Thurgood and his girlfriend could have been a little more tasteful.

The Ugly:
When Kenny’s in jail, there is the requisite shower scene and dropped soap. Even though nothing “dirty” happens, there is still a fight between Squirrel Master and Nasty Nate, and trust me, it isn’t a pretty sight.

Closing Notes:
Overall, Half-Baked was a funny movie that didn’t take itself too seriously. The subject matter is treated lightly, so that the audience isn’t too offended about spending money to see it. Of course, because it is about drugs and such, it obviously isn’t the type of movie for everyone. However, if you favor sarcastic humor, than you’d probably enjoy this movie.

On a scale of 1 to 4 (with 4 being classic and 1 being Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo), I'd give this movie a 3.

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