Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2006)

This satirical adaptation of the infamous 1936 movie hits all the right notes. While taking a wacky, over-the-top approach to the overly serious position taken by the original, "Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical" does make sure to note the racism inherent in the drug war (the Lecturer claims that jazz is rooted in marijuana usage, and that it tricks white women into wanting sex with black men). Of course, one can simply laugh at the zaniness, as a wholesome, all-American boy gets addicted after only one puff, while his bubbly girlfriend worries about him. This is one movie that's sure to make social and religious conservatives apoplectic.And the cast. Alan Cumming is an all-around provocateur, so this is the perfect role for him. Kristen Bell has become a recognizable name in the past few years. Christian Campbell I don't know, but Neve Campbell is best known for the "Scream" franchise. Ana Gasteyer is a former SNL cast member. Steven Weber has played some assorted roles. John Kassir is best known as the voice of the Crypt Keeper on "Tales from the Crypt".All in all, a really enjoyable movie.

American musicals have taken a bit of a beating as of late. While I haven't seen any musical releases this year thus far, I saw two, highly advertised ones last year. The absolutely dreadful Rock of Ages (2012) and the Les Miserables (2012). Even if you disagree with my assessment of these two films, even if you think they aren't abhorrent wastes of time and patience, you have to admit no modern musical since Chicago (2002) has had exciting dance sequences that harken back to the best of MGM.That is unless you include the Showtime made-for-TV movie Reefer Madness (2004) which I do. For while Les Miserables contained elaborate sets (most of which you couldn't see due to all the f***ing close-ups) and Rock of Ages contained big name stars, Reefer Madness contained sixteen complex musical numbers complete with masterful choreography and an infectious sense of humor. Oh, and it's about pot.Reefer Madness follows the story of Jimmy Harper (Christian Campbell), a strapping young lad of some sixteen summers. He falls for a girl by the name of Mary Lane (Kristen Bell) but also falls into the clutches of scurrilous drug dealer Jack (Steven Weber), his weak-willed girlfriend Mae (Ana Gasteyer) and their fellow pot groupies (Amy Spanger and John Kassir). Can true love carry the day and save Jimmy from the evil influences of marijuana? Or will the devil weed take him and his you love with him.The musical is based on a 1936 propaganda film of the same name. When it was released it was a tale of caution against the dangers of marijuana. When it resurfaced in the 60's, 70's and beyond, Reefer Madness became a cult classic largely because of its cheesy, over-the-top story and its egregious misrepresentation of pot and its dangers.Now I don't personally smoke the stagger leaf myself. I see no point in smoking something that will distort the way I see the world for a few hours. That's what I have movies for. But with statistics being thrown out like, "four out of five cases of violent crimes are committed by dope slaves," and "marijuana has an addictive power beyond that of cocaine and heroin," you can't help but giggle at the after school special gone awry. Even Thelma White, the actress who played the original Mae was tickled by the movies original screenplay. She would later live to see Reefer Madness become an off-Broadway musical and was invited by the creators to opening night.Released by Showtime Networks on DVD, Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical has become somewhat of a cult favorite in its own right even if it didn't make it to the big screen. For just like the 1986 update on the 1960 Roger Corman original Little Shop of Horrors, Reefer Madness updates the material inserting an acerbic yet eager sense of humor and musical numbers. And boy is it a sight to see.Credit must be given to veteran TV scribes Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney (Who also wrote the original musical). Their penchant for quality small screen scrawling and collaboration created a movie that jumps off the screen. Veteran TV actors Ana Gasteyer of Saturday Night Live (1975- Present) fame, Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars (2004-2007) fame, Steven Weber of Wings (1990-1997) fame and Christian Campbell of...I want to say The 4400 (2004-2007) fame, all make valiant and worthwhile efforts in their respective parts. John Kassir, who played the voice of the Crypt Keeper in pervasive horror series Tales From the Crypt (1989-1996) takes home the prize for most hilariously over-the-top performance as Ralph, the pot-addled college boy.How deliciously absurd is Reefer Madness? Even the DVD case smells of chocolate. Watch it because you must. Then watch it again because you want to. It's the Rocky Horror (1975) of the Bush years. The Little Shop of Horrors of premium cable and even if you watch Reefer Madness and don't think it's all that and a dime bag of weed, it's still has more to offer stylistically than something as trite as Rock of Ages.http://theyservepopcorninhell.blogspot.com/

Reefer Madness is fun, quirky, clever and exciting. A perfect spoof of the original Reefer Madness (also known as 'Tell Your Children').The cast is a breath of fresh air, with Christian Campbell and Kristen Bell playing the high-school sweethearts soon to fall victim to 'reefer madness', Alan Cumming as the lecturer against the evils of the reefer (the narrator) and several other characters, and Neve Campbell playing the proprietor of the Soda shop.Even more so than in the TV show Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell is simply adorable. Whether she is playing an angelic do-gooder, a dominatrix, or a teenage PI, you simply can not go past the star dust emanating from Kristen Bell. She has amazing vocal strength and uses it perfectly in this film.

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.