Fans of Cheech & Chong's early material as stand-up comics will enjoy Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie, which opened in theaters on Apr. 18 and extended through 4/20.
Culled mostly from their first four albums on Lou Adler's Ode record label - Cheech & Chong, Big Bambu, Los Cocinos and The Wedding Album - Animated Movie is a hoot. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong voice all the characters, including Paco and Man, Herbie and Ralph (the dogs), Bob Bitchin, Laidback Lenny, Righton Washington, Sister Mary Elephant, Ashley Roachclip, Alice Bowie and Sgt. Stedanko.
Featuring top-notch cartoon design and fast-paced direction by Brandon and Eric Chambers, Animated Movie puts a new colorful spin on the dopey duo's classic routines, such as "Let's Make a Dope Deal," "Trippin' in Court," "Pedro and Man at the Drive-in" and "Earache My Eye" performed by the one and only, tutu-wearing Alice Bowie.
What appears to be missing is the "Dave" bit where Cheech repeatedly knocks on a door and Chong, on the other side, replies, "Dave's not here." I arrived just as the movie started; perhaps it's the opening scene. If it isn't in the film, this is a glaring omission.
Now you can buy the DVD or Blu-ray.
Watch the trailer here.
