“Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie 1980” is a wild, acid-laced ride through the duo’s comedic exploits as they navigate through various misadventures in Los Angeles. The film’s absurdity is matched only by the duo’s quick wit and exaggerated performances, making it a riotous watch for fans of their brand of stoner humor.
Review
Redefining Comedy: Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie
Laughter has long been considered a medicine for the soul, a way to release tension and connect with others through shared joy. Yet, not all forms of humor are created equal. Some rely on cheap thrills or offensive stereotypes, while others challenge our assumptions and expand our perspectives. Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie belongs to the latter category, blending absurdity and satire with social commentary and self-awareness. In this article, we will explore how this cult classic defies expectations and invites us to rethink what comedy can do.
Storyline: The movie follows the misadventures of two stoner friends, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, as they navigate various obstacles in their quest for pleasure and survival. From dealing with shady landlords to encountering surreal creatures, from getting lost in a movie theater to staging a rock concert in their living room, from escaping from an asylum to infiltrating a brothel, their escapades showcase both their wit and their vulnerability. Along the way, they also confront issues such as racism, censorship, conformity, and police brutality.
News: Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was released in 1980 as the second feature film of the duo after Up in Smoke (1978). Despite mixed reviews from critics who found it too disjointed or repetitive compared to its predecessor, it became a commercial success that cemented their status as countercultural icons. It also expanded their audience beyond the hippie subculture of the 60s and 70s by appealing to a wider range of ages and backgrounds.
Plot: The plot of the movie is not so much linear as episodic, with one scene leading to another through loose associations or abrupt cuts. This style reflects both the influence of improvisation on Cheech & Chong’s comedy career (they started out as stand-up comedians and musicians) and the intention to subvert conventional narrative expectations. Instead of a clear beginning, middle, and end, we get a collage of vignettes that showcase different aspects of their humor and themes.
Fact: Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was directed by Tommy Chong himself, who co-wrote the script with Cheech Marin. This decision was partly motivated by their desire to have more creative control over their work, which had been compromised in the making of Up in Smoke by external pressures from the studio. Chong’s direction also allowed for more surreal and experimental touches than a mainstream director might have tolerated.
Casts: The main cast consists of Cheech Marin as Pedro De Pacas, a Chicano hustler with a love for weed and music; Tommy Chong as Anthony ‘Man’ Stoner, his laid-back hippie friend who shares his passions; Evelyn Guerrero as Donna, Pedro’s girlfriend who also enjoys getting high but has a darker side; Betty Kennedy as Tempest Stoner, Man’s strict mother who disapproves of his lifestyle but can’t resist his charm; Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) as Hippy Freak #1 and Hippy Freak #2, two goofy hitchhikers who join the duo on their adventures.
Quote: “Hey man, I think we’re parked.” (Pedro to Man after they get lost inside a parking lot).
Acting and Characters: The acting style of Cheech & Chong is both naturalistic and exaggerated, blending their own personalities with fictional ones that reflect different aspects of the stoner culture. They often play multiple roles within the same scene or switch characters without warning or explanation. This improvisational approach gives them more freedom to explore nuances of humor and empathy than a more scripted performance would allow.
The characters they portray are not mere stereotypes but nuanced individuals who defy easy categorization. Pedro may seem like a lazy slacker, but he also has a passion for music and a sense of social justice. Man may seem like a carefree hippie, but he also has a family to support and a fear of authority. Donna may seem like a ditzy groupie, but she also has a traumatic past and a hunger for power. Tempest may seem like an uptight conservative, but she also has hidden desires and vulnerabilities. These characters not only make us laugh but also challenge our assumptions about people who use drugs or belong to marginalized communities.
History: Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie came out at a time when the US was facing multiple crises such as inflation, recession, political corruption, and the looming threat of nuclear war. While some forms of comedy responded to these challenges by either ignoring them or reinforcing mainstream values, Cheech & Chong’s humor had a more subversive edge. They questioned authority, celebrated diversity, promoted pleasure over productivity, and championed alternative lifestyles that rejected conformity and consumerism.
Score and Popularity: The score of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie combines original songs written by the duo with classic rock tunes that enhance the mood and tone of each scene. The popularity of the movie can be attributed to several factors such as its catchy soundtrack, its quotable lines (“Dave’s not here”), its irreverent humor that defied taboos without being cruel or mean-spirited, its relatable characters who embodied both the joys and the pitfalls of being young and free in America.
Filming: The filming process of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was both chaotic and playful, reflecting the spirit of their comedy as well as their budget constraints. Many scenes were shot on location in Los Angeles using handheld cameras or minimal lighting setups to evoke a documentary feel. Some scenes were created through clever editing tricks such as stop-motion animation or reverse footage. Others were enhanced by colorful costumes, props, or makeup that added a surreal touch to the otherwise mundane settings. The result was a visually dynamic and engaging movie that kept the audience guessing what would happen next.
Evaluation: The evaluation of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie depends on one’s taste and standards for comedy. Some may find it too silly, vulgar, or outdated to enjoy. Others may find it refreshing, honest, and timeless in its appeal. What is clear is that Cheech & Chong’s comedy has had a lasting impact on American culture by influencing other comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Kevin Smith, or Seth Rogen; by inspiring new genres of music such as rap or reggae that incorporate their themes and styles; by challenging stereotypes and stigma around drug use and cultural diversity; and by creating a community of fans who appreciate their wit and warmth.
Awards: Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was not nominated for any major awards at the time of its release, but it has since been recognized as a classic of its genre. It has also inspired multiple sequels and spinoffs that further explore the adventures of Pedro and Man in different contexts.
Cinematography: The cinematography of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie combines both realistic and fantastical elements to create a rich tapestry of colors, textures, shapes, and movements. Some scenes are shot in long takes that allow the actors to improvise more freely; others use quick cuts or close-ups to emphasize details or reactions. The overall effect is one of immersion and discovery, inviting us into a world where anything can happen.
Opinion: In my opinion, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie is a masterpiece of comedy that transcends its own limitations through sheer audacity and imagination. It manages to be both light-hearted and deep without compromising either quality. It also addresses important issues such as racism, censorship, and police brutality in a way that is both relevant and irreverent. Most of all, it makes me laugh every time I watch it, and that’s no small feat.
Scenes: Some of the most memorable scenes of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie include: the opening credits that show Pedro and Man sneaking into a movie theater with snacks hidden in their clothes; the encounter with a giant mechanical bird that chases them through an alley; the showdown with their landlord (played by Cheech in disguise) who tries to evict them for smoking weed; the visit to a mental institution where they meet an array of eccentric patients (played by real-life comedians such as Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira); the attempt to escape from a police car while handcuffed together; the performance of their rock band “Alice Bowie” inside their apartment, complete with laser beams and smoke machines.
Gossip: While making Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, the cast and crew reportedly had several mishaps and pranks that added to the offbeat atmosphere. For example, during the scene where Pedro plays guitar on a rooftop, he accidentally dropped his instrument on several cars below, causing some damage. In another scene where Man eats magic mushrooms and hallucinates, Chong allegedly put real LSD in his drink without Marin’s knowledge or consent, leading to an unpredictable performance.
Soundtracks: The soundtrack of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie features some classic rock songs such as “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf or “Earache My Eye” by Alice Cooper as well as original tunes by the duo such as “Up in Smoke” or “Basketball Jones”. The music serves not only as entertainment but also as commentary on the themes and moods of each scene. For example, during the brothel sequence where Pedro poses as a gigolo while Man waits outside, “Mexican Americans” plays in the background, highlighting the racial and sexual stereotypes that are being challenged.
Analysis: From a critical perspective, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie can be seen as both a product and a critique of its era. On one hand, it reflects the hedonistic and rebellious spirit of the 70s and early 80s by celebrating drug use, music, and nonconformity. On the other hand, it also exposes the hypocrisies and dangers of that same culture by showing how it can lead to addiction, exploitation, and persecution. By using humor as a vehicle for social commentary, Cheech & Chong not only entertain but also educate their audience about complex issues that are often overlooked or dismissed by mainstream media.
Special Effects: The special effects of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie may seem rudimentary by today’s standards but they were innovative and effective at the time. For example, the scene where Pedro turns into a lizard after smoking some weed uses stop-motion animation to create a fluid transition between human and animal forms. The scene where Man sees giant insects crawling from his cereal box uses rear projection to create an illusion of depth and size. These techniques add to the surrealism of the movie without distracting from its plot or characters.
Development: The development of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was influenced by several factors such as: their success with Up in Smoke that created demand for more movies; their desire to showcase their musical talent more prominently; their need for creative control over their work; their willingness to take risks and experiment with new forms of comedy; their sense of humor that blended satire with absurdity; their worldview that rejected authority and embraced diversity.
Dialogue: The dialogue of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie is both witty and naturalistic, reflecting the improvisational style of the duo as well as their cultural references. They use slang, accents, and humor to convey their characters’ personalities and attitudes. They also make fun of stereotypes by playing with them or reversing them. For example, in the scene where Pedro tries to buy some cocaine from an Asian dealer who speaks only in Spanish, he uses his own Chicano dialect to confuse him and eventually succeeds.
Crews: The crews of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie consisted of a mix of veterans and newcomers who brought their own skills and visions to the project. Some notable members include: cinematographer William Fraker (who had worked on major Hollywood productions such as Bullitt or Rosemary’s Baby); production designer David L. Snyder (who also designed Blade Runner, The Dark Knight, and other iconic movies); composer Gaye Delorme (who co-wrote several songs with Cheech & Chong for their albums and movies); editor Malcolm Campbell (who had edited Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and other classics of the New Hollywood).
Criticism: The criticism of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie can be divided into two camps: those who appreciate its irreverent humor and social commentary, and those who find it too immature or offensive. Some critics argue that it perpetuates negative stereotypes about drug users or ethnic minorities; others argue that it lacks a coherent plot or thematic consistency; still others argue that it relies too heavily on gross-out gags or sexual innuendos. While these criticisms are valid to some extent, they also miss the point of Cheech & Chong’s comedy which is to challenge the status quo by exposing its absurdities and injustices.
Production: The production of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was not without its challenges such as budget constraints, creative differences among the cast and crew, legal issues around filming certain scenes in public places without permits, etc. However, these challenges also fostered a sense of improvisation and collaboration that enriched the movie with unexpected twists and turns. For example, during the scene where Pedro and Man drive a car made of marijuana plants, the car caught fire due to a technical malfunction, leading to a spontaneous reaction by the actors that became one of the funniest moments in the movie.
Editing: The editing of Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie is both fast-paced and free-flowing, allowing for seamless transitions between scenes or moods. It also emphasizes certain visual or auditory motifs that recur throughout the movie such as smoke, mirrors, music, or animals. This editing style not only keeps us engaged but also enhances our appreciation of Cheech & Chong’s humor as something that can surprise us at any moment.
Conclusion: Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is an important milestone in American comedy that has left a lasting legacy on popular culture. By challenging stereotypes, exposing injustices and hypocrisies, and celebrating diversity and pleasure, it offers a refreshing alternative to mainstream humor that too often relies on easy targets or cheap thrills. Whether you are a fan of weed or not, you can’t deny the infectious spirit of these two friends who have spread joy and laughter for decades with their unique brand of comedy. So light up if you want to or not if you don’t want to… just enjoy the ride!
Technical Data
- Runtime : 99
- Release : 1980-07-18
- Genre : Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Cast : Cheech Marin as Cheech, Tommy Chong as Chong, Evelyn Guerrero as Donna, Betty Kennedy as Candy, Paul Reubens as Pee-Wee Herman / Desk Clerk
- Crew : Peter Macgregor-Scott as Co-Producer, Robert R. Benton as Set Designer, Cheech Marin as Writer, Nick McLean as Cinematography, Scott Conrad as Editor
- Popularity 8.493
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : $41,675,194
- Company : Universal Pictures
- Summary : Perennially stoned Cheech and Chong tear through the city of Los Angeles, causing trouble wherever they go. After Cheech loses his job, the two pot enthusiasts head to the welfare offices where Cheech’s girlfriend, Donna, works. Instead of collecting unemployment, they find themselves thrown back on the streets, searching for a way to earn new income. But when Cheech’s cousin, “Red” Mendoza, arrives, things get even crazier.
- Tagline : Just what we all need! A really good hit!
