Dude, ‘Pineapple Express’ is only semifunny

As someone who once laughed so hard at a Cheech and Chong concert that he almost threw up, I feel uniquely qualified to comment on a stoner film such as “Pineapple Express.”

Here’s what I liked: James Franco (who, in channeling Brad Pitt’s character in “True Romance,” is so willing to lampoon his image as a sexy boy), Seth Rogen and the overall sense of ridiculousness of 20-something guys spending much of every day stoned.

Here’s what I didn’t like: the fact that Rogen and his fellow screenwriters (which included Evan Goldberg, who cowrote “Superbad” ) thought we would be laughing so hard at the film that we wouldn’t notice just how silly and pointless the overall story line is.

The movie feels like one long comedy sketch, played out by likeable characters – not unlike a Cheech and Chong exercise – that never goes anywhere.

Of course, if you’re under the influence of something resembling a real-life version of pineapple express, then you’re not likely to notice. Nor care.

Which maybe is the point.