Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here.

There isn't a ton of competition for the title, but the best movie of the week is the latest from the writing team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (who first joined forces to write SUPERBAD). The story is fairly simple, and the film is a prime example of how strong writing and a handful of pinpoint accurate performances can elevate a familiar plot and make it some of the most fun you'll have at the movies this summer. As much as the world would like you to believe PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is simply some dopey stoner comedy, Rogen (playing process server Dale Denton) and his "Freaks and Geeks" co-star James Franco (as pot dealer Saul Silver) do not simply sit in a room at smoke killer weed for two hours. The movie is a great buddy comedy action film with a hefty level of violence and blood mixed with a fairly convincing story about the kind of friendships that evolve around the massive quantities of illegal narcotics. This is the story of two drug buddies and their excellent adventure through the world of killer drug dealers, corrupt police officers, and stormy romances.

Perhaps the most bizarre things about PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is that David Gordon Green is the man behind the camera. The previously low-key director of such thought-provoking works as GEORGE WASHINGTON, ALL THE REAL GIRLS, and SNOW ANGELS (from earlier this year) a has true gift for drawing out some of the most unusual performances from his actors. Seth Rogen coughing up a storm from his first puff of the PINEAPPLE EXPRESS-brand weed suddenly begins moving like a robot while he's gasping for air. Franco's entire performance is so dead-on happy stoner that you find it impossible to believe the guy isn't baked for the entire movie. But the scene-stealer in a film filled with potential scene-stealers is Danny McBride's Red, Saul's supplier to turns on his friend and spends much of the film trying to make up for the indiscretion. Every word out of this guy's mouth is gold. Every since seeing him in Green's ALL THE REAL GRILS, I've enjoyed watching him work. Mot people (including me) were turned onto him thanks to THE FOOT FIST WAY, and I've enjoy him a little bit more every time I see him (he's also outstanding in next week's TROPIC THUNDER). The fight scene between him and Rogen in Red's cramped and cluttered apartment is one of the history books.

Every supporting part also is exceedingly strong. I would have loved to see more of Rosie Perez and Gary Cole as the police officer and drug dealer, respectively, who kill a man with Dale as an unexpected witness. They are able to track Dale down and connect him with Saul, and soon the pair are on the run for their lives. Kevin Corrigan and Craig Robinson. If I had one gripe with the film, it's that the subplot involving Dale dating a high school girl (ALL THE BOYS LOVE MAND LANE's Amber Heard). There is either not enough of it, or there's far too much. I wanted to see more about that relationship, but I understand that Rogen and Heard as a couple aren't necessarily what the audience wants to see in this movie. Still, by the time we get to the long-anticipated dinner with Dale and his girlfriend's parents (Ed Begley Jr. and Nora Dunn), I was ready for that storyline to actually go somewhere or just go away. It's a minor quibble.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is fast paced when it needs to be, shocking with the level and quantities of violence it offers up, and mellow and silly pretty much from end to end. The film is produced, not surprisingly, by Judd Apatow (who is also given a story credit), and there's a certain degree of familiarity that goes along with each Apatow Productions. You expect a strong script and some of the best ad libbing you're ever likely to see. Add to that, Rogen and his stable of fellow actors (many dating back to "Freaks and Geeks") are so reliable in whatever combination they appear that it just doesn't seem fair. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS isn't your average "spot-the-celebrity-cameo" kind of Apatow production, because the tone is a bit more serious (relatively speaking). The film feels streamlined and to the point in its foolish behavior. Even the violence is treated with a degree of humor. All of the blood will fill you with a combination of shock and the giggles. Without giving too much away, something happens to one of Rogen's body parts that disgusted me and make me bust out in uncontrollable laughter. Much of the film is like that. If you can see the humor in two grown men selling some of the strongest weed imaginable to 11 year olds, I think you'll feel right at home with this baby.

--Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com