The War on the War on Drugs

Made in 2002 but not theatrically released until 2005, Cevin D. Soling's full-throttle attack on U.S. government policy towards illegal drugs features 60 quickie vignettes and a stew of found footage in its attempt to parody hoary pop culture vehicles (TV commercials, 1970s-era classroom educational films, puppet shows, creepy PSAs, and tabloid news), offering a wacky slap against the various hypocrisies and lunacies that traditionally shaped the federal war on narcotics. Unfortunately--thanks to a combination of untalented ensemble acting, lame gag writing, and clueless direction--none of the vignettes even raise a chuckle, let alone score on satiric points (from start to finish, the comedy is forced and clumsy, closer to bumbling public access vanity shows than the Kentucky Fried Movie vibe Soling is obviously striving for). Worse, the underlying serious message that current drug laws are counterproductive and wildly unsuccessful is simply lost in this puerile production. Anyone looking for a stoner high on cinematic giggles should turn to Reefer Madness or Up in Smoke, and avoid this bad trip. DVD extras include bonus footage and a 1930s government anti-drug film. Not recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)