Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2006)

Fresh and Exciting

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

What begins as a feel-good-human-interest story turns into a mystery, then a tragedy, and ultimately an outrage.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I have a bit of a complaint about this and many other movies. When I got the DVD, I noticed there were no captions of any sort--and it sure would have helped since several in my household are hard of hearing. In addition, I am sure that a lot of fans of musicals would have loved to have been able to see the words and perhaps even sing along.As for the film, "Reefer Madness: The Musical" is based, very loosely, on the original film "Reefer Madness (1936--also called "Tell Your Children"). It is a musical parody of the original--which is a bit of a problem since the original film was a comedy--though perhaps unintentionally. It's known by bad movie fans as one of the most enjoyably bad movies of the era. And, I must confess, while I liked this musical, I still would much prefer to watch the original--it is truly hilarious (though the studio's other offering, "Sex Madness", is actually even funnier).Now if you do watch this film, be prepared to be offended. I am not talking about how it trivializes pot use but the scenes of Jesus dancing about with Satan in one song as well as the sexual nature of the film. It is NOT a film for small children or mother-in-laws! If you can look past this and decide to watch the film, be sure to watch Alan Cumming--who is absolutely awesome in the movie. I love how he made his British accent completely disappear--putting on a rugged voice and singing with a range I never thought he was capable of doing. Wow...what a voice. Also, possessing another wonderful voice is Christian Campbell--who has a knack for picking strange and edgy roles (his most icky and cool was "Pretty Dead Girl"--a definite must-see). And it didn't hurt that the songs were so gosh-darn cute.By the way, didn't Christian Campbell remind you of the pug from the end of "Best In Show"? If you are not sure, see him at the 60 minute mark and you'll see what I mean.

Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (as if the title needed it) is a..um...spoof, some would say, of the original movie from 1936 entitled "Tell Your Children". As the title would suggest, it's changed into the form of a musical. Fun. The film has many has many, many dance scenes and musical numbers to keep anyone who knows what the Tony Awards entertained. Some people (you know who you are) might not enjoy it because of all the dancing and skipping and singing and "sissy boy" things. Well, who cares? Go watch Monday night football.This will also attract the "stoner" crowd, obviously. Well, that's good. It won't change there minds.The film is fun, has loads of personality, and well written. Alan Cumming is very enjoyable with all his roles. I never knew he was such a great actor (Nightcrawler in X-Men 2 wasn't exactly his best). The only person to do a better job is Kristen Bell, who is a phenomenal singer and actress. Why she hasn't done a Broadway production is beyond me. I hope to see her in more films one day. I guess if I had a quarrel with this movie anywhere, it would be it's length, which might bore you if you are alone. So, have fun, watch with a friend, laugh, dance a little, and don't smoke the "evil" marijuana. Ha. 8/10

stars: Christian Campbell, Kristin Bell, Ana Gatsayer, Steven Weber, John Kassir, Alan Cumming, Amy Spanger and Neve Campbell.This has to be one of the most bizarre films ever. Some lowlife (Weber) shares his reefer with sweet little Jimmy (Campbell) and the party begins. It takes place in 1936 and the beginning really played off of the years. The first 30 minutes were so campy and funny and had good songs, then there's a dry patch where the songs are not only average, but over-long and it gets repetitive. The last 30 minutes get back on track and more amusing as non-stop drug use, murder and cannibalism takes place when Ralph gets the munchies. Kristin Bell is excellent as the love interest innocent school girl and Kassir is great as the hallucinating horny pal and even Ana Gatsayer is hilarious. Though there are dry patches, it still does deliver.My rating-B minus. rated R for lotsa drug use, some sexuality and gory violence. 103 mins.

I think that most people saying bad things about this movie must think it takes itself seriously, which says something about the people to begin with. If you know the original 1936 version, this movie is awesome, otherwise you'll likely be confused. It is a sarcastic version of the original film with some great campy music, with great choreography. The songs that have nothing to do with pot are some of the best. It may seem like it was convenient for rhyming purposes to call the love interest Mary Lane, yet that was her name in the 1936 version, long before they called pot Mary Jane. Just a great coincidence that made for great rhyming. The DVD includes the hour long 1936 movie, if you haven't seen it, watch it first. This really is a musical version of that same story, pot paranoia intact, as the original was misinformed scare tactics. Despite your stance on legalization, you can't deny that the original film grossly exaggerated the effects. One hit and people become killers and whores. The movie is first and foremost a goofy musical comedy though. If you are looking for a message you won't find one except maybe the fact that people used to believe anything they saw on film. Don't judge this movie without seeing the original though, and if you don't get a laugh out of the original, you wont out of this either. It is required viewing, so much that they included it on the DVD!