Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2006)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Terrific, campy movie musicals don't come around very often. How many films have been able to emulate the success of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show?" How many have even tried? "Reefer Madness" is about the closest any film has come to capturing the bizarre spirit of that cult classic. A film version of the Off-Broadway production, "Reefer" is the outrageous musical version of the old public education film warning parents of the "effects" of marijuana on impressionable teenagers. Only such a ridiculous blunder in our country's drug-ed history could warrant such a ridiculous musical and Showtime fits it with the trappings of a cult favorite.What makes "Reefer" and other campy musicals work is the undercurrent of pure talent in the film. This is not a "so bad it's good" movie; there's actual intelligence in it. From the actors to the choreography to a plot that would surprise you with how compelling it is, brains went into this play and consequently this film. The music is catchy from swing to jazz to rock with all other kinds of influences. Alan Cumming as the film's in-frame narrator plays his devious brainwashing character with sharp subtlety, cleverly appearing throughout the film as various different background characters. Comics from SNL vet Ana Gasteyer to voice artist John Kassir give the film the wacky edge it needs to be a hit.Starting off in a classroom with parents all wanting to learn about the marijuana, the story then launches into a film which Cumming's character shows about two teenage lovers (Christian Campbell and Kristen Bell), whose lives are fated do be destroyed by the reefer. Jimmy, the boy, wants desperately to impress Mary Lane after their smashing duet about ending up like Romeo & Juliet ... however that play ends. He can't dance, however, and agrees to go home with a stranger, Jack Stone (Steven Weber) who promises to give him lessons though he only intends to get him hooked on weed like the other misfits in his cannabis- growing house: Ralph (Kassir) the college dropout, Sally the seductress who sells off her baby for dope money and the girlfriend Jack abuses, Mae (Gasteyer).Jimmy becomes addicted after a rhythmic musical number entitled "Jimmy Takes a Hit/The Orgy" and his life spirals out of control. Although he realizes he cares most about Mary Lane, his junkie friends keep him on a path of trouble. He won't even listen to Jesus despite a persuasive '60s rock-style number.It takes a true musical-lover to really get into the camp and silliness of "Reefer Madness," but it's one of the better recent movie musicals out there as nowadays they tend to be very hit or miss. The satire, the gore, the nutty characters, the ensemble members pretending to fornicate with their clothes on because after all, this is a 1930s film -- it's easy to get a kick out of this one-of-a-kind movie that should undoubtedly get its own cult following.~Steven CVisit my site http://moviemusereviews.com

Quite simply this movie is spellbinding. From the opening bars of 'Reefer Madness' to the closing notes of 'Tell 'em The Truth' You will be enthralled. Taking a drug-propaganda film that was allegedly made by the government and turning it into a comedy-musical isn't an easy task but the writers managed to pull it off. The cast is superb, embracing the very over-the-top 30's style acting that the original movie had and playing it to the hilt. And they can sing us a storm. But quite possibly the musical highlight of the film is when Ana Gasteyer performs 'The Stuff' with as much emotion and sensuality as she can muster. This movie will definitely be remembered for years to come.

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.