HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY — ** — John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris; rated R (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, violence, nudity, sex, slurs, rape, brief gore)

The jokes that actually work successfully in "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" are the same ones that worked in its predecessor, the surprise 2004 comedy hit.

For those who haven't seen that film, those gags include an updated version of the old Cheech & Chong stoner bits and the absurd sight of openly gay actor Neil Patrick Harris playing a skirt-chasing, cartoonish version of himself.

Those who have seen that film would be better off watching it again. This sequel feels stale and forced, if not downright repetitive.

It picks up the story right where the first movie left off. Harold Lee (John Cho) is preparing to follow his true love, Maria (Paula Garces), to Amsterdam, where she's got a modeling gig.

Also joining Harold is his roommate and friend, Kumar Patel (Kal Penn). Unfortunately, he decides to smoke pot on the jet and is promptly arrested by air marshals.

An overzealous government agent (Rob Corddry) suspects the two of being terrorists and sends them to the Guantanamo Bay prison facility. However, they accidentally break out and go on the run, hoping to find some help.

But the only person who might be able to clear their name is the connected, would-be politician Colton (Eric Winter), who's about to marry the jealous Kumar's ex-girlfriend, Vanessa (Danneel Harris).

Co-directors/screenwriters Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg attempt to throw in a War on Terror message. But the poor-taste jokes about Gitmo prisoner abuses and a subplot about a pot-smoking President Bush (James Adomian) are painfully stupid.

"Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" is rated R for vulgar humor and references (sexual as well as some having to do with other bodily functions), strong sexual profanity, strong drug content (references to and use of hallucinogenics and narcotics), comic and other violence (shootings and gunplay, vehicular and fiery mayhem), full male and female nudity, simulated sex and other sexual contact, racial slurs and other derogatory language, a scene depicting prison rape, and brief gore. Running time: 102 minutes.

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