The third installment of the Harold and Kumar franchise is finally here in all of its 3D glory and, suffice to say, it does not disappoint at all. A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas is based six years after their Guantanamo Bay escapades with Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) living very separate lives and are currently not on speaking terms. On Christmas Eve, Harold’s wife Maria (Paula Garces) has her family come over and, to them, Christmas is a very big deal, especially to her father Mr. Perez (Danny Trejo). When Harold is left in charge of decorating Mr. Perez’s home-grown Christmas tree everything goes wrong. Kumar comes over and inadvertently burns the tree down, pissing off Harold like he always does. The film is about their adventure of trying to get a replacement tree before the family gets back from attending the midnight mass in the city.
If you liked the first film then you will love the third because Harold and Kumar three is a very worthy sequel that stays true to its stoner roots and will make any immature soul laugh continuously throughout its 90 minute duration. The movie features a stoned baby, an adolescent Danny Trejo donning his trademark mustache, a loving waffle robot, a pissed off Jesus and a hilarious send-up to one of the most iconic scenes in A Christmas Story. The movie has a goal but it takes whatever road it wants without caring if anything makes sense, which is why it ends up working out so well for audience members like myself who really don’t give a shit. So if you want to laugh and not think at all then look no further than this flick.
As for the acting, it was pretty much the same as we’ve seen in past movies except this time around Neil Patrick Harris bursts out into a full-time badass boss. He was awesome in past films but he just takes his coolness to a whole ‘nother level which makes his scenes hilarious. Also, Thomas Lennon (Reno 911) was great as Todd, Harold’s 
“friend” and father to the drugged up baby. He played a very stereotypical middle class white guy and nailed it. The supporting cast really pulled through to help make the movie hilarious but ultimately the chemistry, dialogue and interactions between Harold and Kumar trump all (except for NPH).
So Is the 3D worth it? Totally! It’s some of the best 3D I’ve seen to date and mostly because of how gimmicky it is. Smoke looks awesome in 3D but the thick marijuana smoke from this movie looks even better as it slowly fills your 3D glasses and approaches your face. In that sense, it’s the most realistic 3D I think I’ve seen that doesn’t feel animated based. As for everything else, they constantly use slow motion to get the most out of all the “in-your-face” 3D, like eggs splattering, explosions, and even a naked body parts (nude nuns!). In conclusion, pay the extra money for the 3D and have a great time, you won’t have the same experience in 2D.
Overall, A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas is a better film than the second but not better than the first, which is completely fine by me. For those who enjoyed the first you’re going to love this one. It’s stupid, some parts make absolutely no sense at all, but it has a lot of great raunchy humor that isn’t spoiled in the trailer and will have you walking out feeling all giggly inside, although that could just be the weed.
Rating: You’ll have yourself a merry stoner Christmas (6.8/10)
A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas hit theaters on November 4th and is directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson
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