Random Review: “The Stoned Age”
Repost from old blog, 8/5/2008
The Stoned Age (1994)
You’d think that “The Stoned Age,” an unabashadley low-budget, straight-to-video film, wouldn’t fit in the pantheon of classic stoner movies such as “The Big Lebowski” and “Dazed and Confused” (“Happy Face” is also up there for me). Mostly you’d be right. The film is almost relentlessly ugly, misogynistic and homophobic. Plus they only smoke weed once, and it’s schwag.
But it must be said that “The Stoned Age” has a charm all its own. Is it better than “Dazed and Confused”? Not by a long shot. But amid all those underlit interiors and garishly colored body fluids lies a pretty solid script. It moves at a steady clip, and by the end, you may be surprised to find yourself actually caring about the characters. There are some moments of subtle humor (the oft-repeating “just some guy” description) that had me laughing out loud.
Full Disclosure: I probably watched this a million times when I was in high school, but under the impression that I was watching it ironically. This is the first time I’ve seen it in years, and I could sort of appreciate the modest skill that goes into creating its characters.
Recommended? Yes.
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