Michael_Elliott Cheech and Chong's Next Movie (1980)** (out of 4)This follow up to UP IN SMOKE really doesn't have any plot but just a bunch of gags dealing with Cheech and Chong getting into various bits of trouble and yes, most of it deals with pot. CHEECH AND CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE is a surprisingly lame and tame movie that hasn't aged very well at all. I remember watching this back in the day and thinking it was at least a middle ground C&C movie but when viewed today I have to wonder if I was smoking something myself. I think the biggest problem is that there's really no story here. Sure, UP IN SMOKE wasn't Shakespeare but it at least had the characters doing some fun stuff on their various journeys. Those journeys here just aren't all that memorable and even worse is the fact that we get very few laughs that work. You know you're in trouble when you get C&C, pot and aliens and no laughs. There's a long running gag set inside a sex house but there aren't any laughs to be found here either. Even some of the opening bits aren't nearly as funny as one would hope for but if a gun was at my head I'd say that the pee and bag of "cocaine" would be the best of the film. Needless to say, both Cheech and Chong are very good in their roles and we also get a fun performance by Paul Reubens. Cutl fans will also spot Cassandra Peterson, Michael Winslow and John Steadman who some might remember from THE HILLS HAVE EYES. I guess fans of the comedy duo will want to see everything the group did but there's no question that this here isn't one of their best.

lost-in-limbo To begin with I usually give out a basic outline of the plot, but on this occasion what occurs is pure incoherent madness switching back and forth without much of a purpose. Nonetheless I'll give it a shot. Cheech and Chong are now sharing accommodation in a condemned building, while their next door neighbour constantly tells them what he thinks of them. While, Chong is lazing about, Cheech has got himself a job and also a girlfriend. But the former one doesn't last for too long, but he picks up a chick at the welfare office where he invites her over for the night. So, Cheech kicks Chong out of the house to have some fun with his cousin Red who's in town. While, Chong and Red are out having a great time; Chong is left waiting for his girl. *Hmm* that was easier than I thought… I guess that's it, well a basic rundown at least. Their follow up to "Up In Smoke" sees the risible doped up duo slumming it out again in some zany comical episodes in "Next Movie". If you're easily offended don't touch it as it hilariously low brow and every scene utilises the chance to make a joke (and that's usually a crude one too). Just expect anything! Well, that is the case since the coarse film is rather plot-less and the side-splitting script rambles on about anything, which means you are assured of many crazy, goofy and implausible skits that hardly tie in together. You'll be in a daze of amusement… and bemusement, which perfectly suit's the pothead humour with the guys cruising into one messy situation after another. Then it comes to a real spaced out, but ultra-cool ending. This outrageously, nutty feel in the last 10 minutes is totally off it's head and it goes on to be more prominent in their even more weirder film "Nice Dreams". It just flies by oh so quickly. Just like the gags do, the characters come and go with one very memorable performance from comedian Paul Reubens as a pipsqueak hotel clerk and another from Sy Kramer as their uptight neighbour Mr. Neatnik. Also there's a very notable cameo appearance from Michael Winslow (Police Academy) doing what he does best. The perky interplay between the individuals makes sure this adventurous trip equals a fun time. The welfare office scene is a real blast and it's always funny how they always seem to pass the incompetent law officers with such ease. Everything just falls into their laps. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong work of each other naturally well with ace timing as the bumbling, carefree potheads Cheech and Chong. Greatly enjoyable oddball performances from the two. They are what make the film! Especially their love for getting high. Cheech Marin also plays Cheech's cousin Dwayne 'Red' Mendoza with humorous results. The music is hard to forget too with its jazzy soundtrack that's smoking the high life with those pretty hip tunes. I've only caught the first three films of the series and even though I think this one is the lesser of the three (the others being "Up In Smoke" and "Nice Dreams") it still has its fare share of unexpected laughs. "Next Movie" it's pure gibberish with an escalating amount of out-of-it stupidity and noisy gags. Definitely one for the fans or even just for some relaxing dumb entertainment you can't go wrong.

Clark Richards The problem in making a great sequel to a popular original film is that the filmmakers involved with the sequel often end up trying only to match the previous films box office success. Rather than bother with the creation of something new, or at the very least a variation of the original, 'Next Movie' rides Tommy Chong into a sophomore slump (Chong was an unaccredited Director for 'Up In Smoke') of sorts, as the movie becomes nothing more than a faded carbon copy of 'Up In Smoke'. Following the familiar formula of success from the last film, this film has the duo falling into strange and sticky situations that somehow always leave them on the outside of the joke, just able to slip through each scene unscathed and unaffected. These excursions into the bizarre rarely hit for big laughs (the office scene excluded), but rather only lead to a semi comic payoff. You can't set your sights too high when the first words that are heard in the movie are those coming from Chong saying, "This is bullsh*t". Seeing that Tommy Chong directed this movie, I'll take him at his word. The thing is, although I would agree that 'Next Movie' is largely bullsh*t, it doesn't really matter to Cheech & Chong as they continue to look entirely comfortable going down the same road of comedy, doing the same things for laughs. They wander the streets of Los Angeles, they smoke a lot of pot, they become involved in many different surreal moments of chance that ultimately culminate into a makeshift performance on a stage in a Los Angeles nightclub. Sound familiar? Did I just describe 'Up In Smoke' or 'Next Movie'? Fans of Cheech & Chong will defend the movie, but you would expect as much. If you've seen 'Up In Smoke' recently and liked it and have never seen 'Next Movie' then I would say you might like 'Next Movie', but don't get your hopes up too much. For the most part the laughs come out at you front on and totally obvious. On the rare occasion that a laugh comes at you from out of nowhere it almost always arrives not from Cheech & Chong, but rather from one the talented extras in the cast.The performances from the rest of the cast, most notably Paul Reubens and Edie McClurg are what stand out as good. Watching Paul Reubens loose his composure at the hotel desk, then later at the nightclub are by far the best scenes in the movie. Edie McClurg has a very small part in the film, but is funny in every scene she's in. And of course 'the office' scene where an narcoleptic man is constantly burning his own leg with a cigarette while nodding in and out of sleep while an old man sitting nearby offers no help, but only bothers to laugh at him at every burn is truly inspired. But the attempt from Cheech to play a new character named 'Red' doesn't really add much to 'Next Movie' and comes off as desperation wrapped in a wig with an endless supply of weed and zig zags. And let's face it, the only time this type of desperation is ever funny is when the paper is confetti and the dope under the wig is Rip Taylor.6/10 Clark Richards

jake-87 This movie is like far out man I mean its like .. far out...man it's like--- WOW, Man I mean like.. its really... you know, FAR <bleepin> OUT!!! These kinda movies will make you repeat yourself, man, and they will make you repeat yourself... man! REPEAT YOURSELF!! (man) That's what came to mind as I watched this movie, Man! Like I don't do drugs, man, but sometimes I'm secretly sorry I don't! Cheech Y Chong seem to be having fun, and I had fun, too. Na, It's not "The Godfather" or "Gone With the Wind" but it is a BLAST from the PAST (the '70's past) and reminded me of those days I used to curl up with a C&C record and laugh my ASS off!!! It's worth a rent- Hell, It's worth a BUY!! Whenever you feel blue- Job got 'ya down?? World seems hopeless?? Pop this Little Jewel into your VCR machine... Light up (If you do that sorta thing) and put your laugher in HIGH GEAR!!____________C & C LIVE FOREVER (man)_________