Up in Smoke – The plot goes up in smoke but the laughs stay lit.
Up in Smoke is a 90-minute contact high—just don’t ask what happened after the first toke. Though it does prove two things: vans should be made of weed, and cops should never chase guys who are too stoned to care.
Up in Smoke is a Hazy, Crazy Ride Through Stoner Paradise – Man, oh man, where do I even start with Up in Smoke? It’s like, the ultimate trip, man—both literally and figuratively. This movie isn’t just a film, it’s a lifestyle, a cosmic journey through the wild, weed-fueled minds of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. And let me tell ya, if you ain’t seen it yet, you’re missing out on one of the greatest cinematic experiences since, like, the invention of the bong.
First off, the plot
Or what passes for one in this smoky dream scape—is simple, man. You got Cheech as Pedro de Pacas, this streetwise Chicano cat with a heart of gold and a pocket full of primo, and Chong as Anthony Stoner, the ultimate laid-back, spaced-out hippie. These two dudes meet by fate (or maybe just because they were both looking for a score), and next thing you know, they’re cruising through L.A. in a van made out of weed, man. The cops are chasing ‘em, but they’re too high to notice, and honestly, that’s the whole vibe of the movie.
The humor? Oh, it’s dumb. Gloriously, stupidly dumb. But that’s the beauty of it, man. This ain’t some highbrow comedy where you gotta think too hard. Cheech and Chong have been advocating for the legalization of all things pot related since even before this film. Having achieved glorious success, this film is a historical anthem to their efforts. Their dreams didn’t go “up in smoke”, or get lost to history. Nor were they burnt to the ground into a tragic pile of ashes. They have left a legacy.
So leave your lighter. Grab your pot laced munchies and spend some time with the comical genius of the legends who helped you have the freedom to get high. The soundtrack is like a time capsule of ‘70s stoner rock, with Chong’s band (because of course he’s in a band) dropping tunes so smooth, you’ll go up in smoke with him, riding the hazy cloud.. The whole movie feels like a concert where the audience got too baked to leave, so they just stuck around and filmed whatever happened next.
