What makes you laugh? Is it absurdist humor, pointed and clever observations, sarcasm, social commentary or something else entirely? Well, no matter your preference, it’s certain that Cheech & Chong have something in their arsenal to tickle your funny bone.
The iconic duo has been a massive hit with audiences for more than 50 years, and the legendary stoners have gotten back together for a highly entertaining, tell-all documentary. From director/producer David Bushell comes a surprising and hilarious trip down memory lane that, like the two subjects, is anything but conventional.
It’s actually quite baffling that there hasn’t been more documentation or something to chronicle their amazing career and ascendancy in comedy legend. Hat tip to David Bushell for pulling this together as well as Robbi Chong (producer and Tommy’s daughter) who was integral in getting the guys back together after a years long separation.
The doc is successful in many ways; first and foremost, it is not a by-the-numbers presentation. After all, Cheech & Chong were the first rock ‘n’ roll comedians, and their story deserves more showmanship.
The layers of creativity and innovation herein make this doc equivalent to watching any of their movies. It’s wild, hilarious, over-the-top and you’re never sure what’s coming around the bend…which says a lot since most of this is C&C driving on a desert road that seems to only go straight.
A small but memorable portion of the doc highlights some of the duo’s most beloved and impacting skits translated from audio to vibrant 2D animation. It’s only a portion of the overall joke, but it’s fun to see it in this throwback style color and pencil work. In a word, it’s far out, man. Ok, maybe that’s three.
Of all their zaniness, it was perhaps their debut album – in which Chong played Jesus in one skit, and Cheech played the Pope in another – that not only put them on the map, but truly showed their limitless potential and confidence.
Bushell’s documentary has it all: fourth wall breaking exposition, cameos, stylish animation, static interviews, first-hand testimonials, quasi-dream sequences, archival footage & photos, as well as laughs, laughs and more laughs.
G-S-T RULING:
Cheech & Chong have endured (the entertainment world as well as each other) because of their differences, and the yin and yang of their personalities translates to their performances. They really do wear the disagreements and the back-and-forth that goes with any relationship on their sleeves.
In many respects, as Bushell shows in this doc, they’re very much like a married couple. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but there sure is a lot of fun, especially if they believe in each other. So grab a bud, and hop on the Cheech & Chong Express!
