I first heard of and saw Cheech and Chong featured in the South Park Episode "Cherokee Hair Tampons", and then I heard about this 1001 Movies You See Before You Die recommended film. Basically slackers and getting nowhere musicians Pedro De Pacas (Richard 'Cheech' Marin) and Anthony 'Man' Stoner (Tommy Chong) happen to meet on a Californian highway, and instantly find a connection with their love of marijuana. They are pulled over by the cops, and end up deported to Mexico, but in court they are let off lightly by the Vodka drinking judge, and they start a road trip to go back home, and try to score some drugs along the way. This includes a trip to dealer Strawberry (Alien's Tom Skerritt), a little house party snorting some wash powder as cocaine, and the big hoot of the film, unintentionally steal a van made entirely of hardened weed. Along the way Pedro and Man pick up two women, who convince them that they should enter their band in a Battle of the Bands contest, and the final scene sees them win with a very high audience. Also starring Batman: Mask of the Phantasm's Stacy Keach as Sgt. Stedenko, Strother Martin as Arnold Stoner, Edie Adams as Mrs. Tempest Stoner, Ray Vitte as Bass Player James and Michael Caldwell as Guitar Player Duane. Cheech and Chong with their "man" catchphrase creating smiles and stoned foolishness are a great double act, Keach does make a good deranged cop, and there are some good songs in it. I will say, the film started hilariously, it then loses a tiny bit of steam, then it picks up with the "fiberweed" van, and the last few scenes are quite funny, so overall, it a most watchable cult comedy. Good!
Review of Up in Smoke
