When it comes to comedy Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong have occupied a consistent basis among the legends of laughter as the preeminent purveyors of Marijuana addled buffoonery. For nearly five decades the two have been the unrivaled stoner comics, mainly because no one has been able to top what they’ve done. The duo have crafted the best stoner comedy in Hollywood and no one has been able to really top them. Thus comes an animated version of their stoner shenanigans, appropriately titled Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie.
The film isn’t really a film, per se; it’s a compilation of their shorts from television, film and their comedy records in animated form. Taken their best material and animating it in fairly crude fashion, this is the cinematic equivalent to a Greatest Hits album. There’s nothing new added in; this is just the best of what they have turned into a cartoon.
Here’s the thing: it’s still obnoxiously funny.
The one thing that hasn’t changed about Cheech and Chong’s material over the years is that it isn’t dated to particular moments in time. It’s still funny forty years later because it’s great material first and foremost. The fact that it’s now animated makes it fairly humorous as well, especially for those skits that are audio only as opposed to having been done in a film, is a good introduction for those who have to experience the stoned antics of cinema’s preeminent Marijuana enthusiasts.
There’s a number of Commentary Tracks, including one from Cheech & Chong’s children, as well as a slideshow presentation of limited value.
Fox presents Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie. Directed by Branden Chambers, Eric D. Chambers. Written by and Starring Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. Running time: 120 minutes. Rated R. Released: April 23, 2013. Available at Amazon.com.
