While the world was hardly crying out for a stoner gross out comedy, Harold and Kumar can almost be quantified as a success since it remains tolerable for the vast majority of its running time. That it never really extends itself far beyond that, however, says more about the limitations of the enterprise than any quip. Our titular characters, Harold (Cho) and Kumar (Penn) are a couple of 22 year-old roommates who are fond of the odd spliff. Or twelve. One evening after consuming several industrial strength joints, they get the urge to sample some White Castle burgers. Problem is, White Castle's nearest outlet is a 45-minute car ride away and Harold and Kumar aren't in the best frame of mind to deal with the deranged sorts that they meet on route.
Director Danny Leiner was responsible for that crime against good taste, Dude, Where's My Car? and it's faint praise indeed to say that Harold and Kumar is a superior film. Slightly more refined than its predecessor, it's to Cho and Penn's credit that they manage to make their characters likeable, despite the obvious limitations of development in the screenplay. There are a few good gags and a few surprisingly witty touches - ethnic stereotyping is cleverly dealt with in the movie - but for the most part, Harold and Kumar is content to go for the cheap shot when it should be aiming a lot higher.
