Film Review – Half Baked: Totally High

1998’s “Half Baked” would never be mistaken for a grand achievement in moviemaking, but the stoner comedy did things right when it came to assembling bits of nonsense to best entertain its intended audience. Silliness dominated the offering, with star Dave Chappelle putting his once-fresh comedic presence to good use for director Tamra Davis, who never pushed too hard when it came to plotting or character, simply content to make some brightly lit goofiness. 26 years later, there’s a sequel, “Half Baked: Totally High,” and there’s no way Universal Pictures is going to bring back Chappelle, electing to manufacture a cheap follow-up that essentially recycles the story from the first feature with a new cast of characters. Screenwriter Justin Hires (making his debut) and director Michael Tiddes (previously partnering with Marlon Wayans for several projects, including “A Haunted House” and “Fifty Shades of Black”) are facing an uphill battle with “Totally High,” but some effort would be appreciated. Instead we get this flaccid endeavor, which contains no laughs and looks oppressive, unable to revive the strange appeal of the original film. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com