Bonus Features on Pineapple Express DVD

Unrated Extended Version Contains Extra Five Minutes Plus Commentary

Jan 8, 2009

"Pineapple Express" on DVD also includes extended and alternate scenes, a gag reel, and short feature on the making of the movie.

From the same team behind Knocked Up and Superbad comes a drugged-out comedy crime thriller movie with Seth Rogen as the unlikely action hero. Rather than the usual R-rated raunchy romantic comedy, this Apatow Productions film contains car chases, shootouts, and explosions rather than gross-out moments and sexual escapades.

In a story conceived by Judd Apatow, Rogen, and Evan Goldberg and written by Rogen and Goldberg, Pineapple Express tells the long, sordid tale of Dale Denton (Rogen), a 25-year-old stoner who works as a process server and dates an 18-year-old high school girl (Amber Heard). His slow-moving, unproductive life takes a violent turn when he witnesses a murder involving a female cop (Rosie Perez) and a dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole). The only evidence linking Dale to the scene of the crime is the remains of his marijuana cigarette, a rare blend of weed called Pineapple Express, which easily gets traced back to Dale, his drug dealer, Saul Silver (James Franco), and Saul’s supplier Red (Danny McBride).

Apatow, Rogen, and Franco reunite here from their earlier days on the television series Freaks and Geeks. Their easy camaraderie makes for some big laughs, and the action scenes come across as frenetic attempts by two lazy, peace-loving, (and in the case of Rogen, out-of-shape) potheads forced off the couch and into the line of fire. Pineapple Express hits the mark in terms of humor, but its lead actors give the impression they couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a grenade launcher.

Pineapple Express DVD Bonus Features

Although the DVD includes two versions of the film, plus several fun bonus features, the package contains fewer extras than Apatow DVD fans have come to expect. Only four extended and deleted scenes are included, and the usual “Line-O-Rama” is missing. However, what’s there certainly adds to the fun.

The gag reel includes flubbed lines and sexual comments, plus an improvised Seth Rogen underwear scene. Extended and deleted scenes involve a longer version of the opening “Private Miller” introduction, a crude conversation in the forest between Rogen and Franco, a funny bit between the drug-dealing Asians in a van, and a way-too-long seemingly improvised scene in the diner at the end of the movie.

“The Making Of Pineapple Express”

The “Making Of” feature is a 21-minute look at how the film was made, and includes interviews with Rogen, Franco, McBride, Perez, Apatow, Goldberg, and director David Gordon Green. Apatow reveals that their goal was to make an expensive-looking big action picture with a low comedy movie budget. He thought it would be funny to make an entire movie with the central characters stoned, as opposed to just a few brief comic scenes.

For his part as co-writer, co-producer, and star, Rogen reveals that he was forced to get stronger and more flexible for his action scenes, but was not allowed to lose any weight because the role of Dale was written for his naturally chubby physique. He also admits that no one ever said it was a good idea to make a movie about a stoner and his drug dealer becoming action heroes. He concludes that while the idea might be funny and might look good as a sample on a demo reel, Pineapple Express wasn’t exactly a high-concept work of art that he ever expected to come to fruition. Nonetheless, cast and crew seem to be having a great time while making the movie, and audiences flocked to its theatrical release.

The copyright of the article Bonus Features on Pineapple Express DVD in Comic Films is owned by Leslie C. Halpern. Permission to republish Bonus Features on Pineapple Express DVD in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.