Up in Smoke Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two dudes just really want to get high, accidentally become international drug smugglers, and somehow win a battle of the bands, all while a cop is having the worst day ever.

🍿 Up in Smoke: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting and Misadventures Begin

Anthony ‘Man’ Stoner, a jobless hippie, is kicked out by his wealthy father. He encounters Pedro De Pacas, a Chicano stoner, after his car breaks down. The two quickly bond over their love of marijuana, setting the stage for a series of chaotic events. Their initial misadventures include smoking a massive joint made from questionable materials (dog feces!) and inadvertently crashing Pedro’s lowrider. This leads to their arrest, but a lucky break in court gets them off the hook.

The Search for Weed and Deportation

Desperate for weed, Pedro and Man visit Strawberry, a Vietnam vet with his own set of issues. A drug party ensues at Strawberry’s apartment, leading to a police raid. Pedro manages to rescue Man from the bust, but their troubles continue as they get caught in an immigration raid, resulting in their deportation to Tijuana, Mexico. This sets the stage for their unknowingly smuggling a van made of marijuana, a pivotal element of the plot.

The Marijuana Van

In Tijuana, they seek out an upholstery shop to arrange transport back to the U.S. Due to a mix-up, they end up at a marijuana factory disguised as an upholstery shop. Unbeknownst to them, they are given a van constructed entirely of ‘fiberweed,’ a substance made from marijuana. This unknowingly puts them in the path of Sgt. Stedenko, who will stop at nothing to bust them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pedro De Pacas (Cheech Marin): A marijuana-loving Chicano guitarist who embarks on a series of misadventures with Anthony.
• Man Stoner (Tommy Chong): A rich, jobless stoner who gets kicked out of his house and teams up with Pedro for weed-fueled escapades.
• Sgt. Stedenko (Stacy Keach): The determined but incompetent police sergeant who relentlessly pursues Pedro and Man.
• Mr. Stoner (Strother Martin): Anthony’s stern and disapproving father who kicks him out for his lack of ambition.
• Strawberry (Tom Skerritt): A war veteran and acquaintance of Pedro who is a little messed up in the head.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Pedro: “Man, what kinda s–t is this man, I ain’t never smoked no s–t like that before man!” – Pedro’s reaction after smoking a joint made of dog feces, unknowingly, highlighting the duo’s absurd misadventures.
• Man Stoner: “Well, it’s supposed to be Maui Waui, but it’s mostly Labrador.” – Man tries to explain the unusual flavor of the joint to Pedro.
• Border Guard: “So, how long you’ve been in Mexico?” – A border guard questions Pedro.
• Pedro de Pacas: “A week. I mean a day.” – Pedro answers the border guard’s question with a slight hesitation.
• Pedro de Pacas: “A weekday.” – Pedro trying to avoid suspicion when crossing the border.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $44,364,244
• Worldwide Gross: $44,364,244

💥 Up in Smoke Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I first saw this movie way back when, and it’s still hilarious. The scene with the Labrador eating the stash and them smoking it, man is just classic. The whole movie just makes you want to chill with your friends and not worry about anything, it reminds me of good times. Also, Stacey Keach’s character is seriously underrated. He makes the movie even funnier!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of stoner comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in 1970s counter-culture humor”
  • “Those who enjoy Cheech and Chong’s brand of comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Frequent drug use”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “”Up in Smoke” is a goofy, low-brow comedy that perfectly captures the stoner culture of the 70s. While the plot is thin, Cheech and Chong’s chemistry and comedic timing make for a consistently funny and enjoyable experience. Stacy Keach’s performance as the frustrated Sergeant Stedenko adds another layer of humor. This movie is a classic for a reason.
• Variety: “Cheech & Chong bring their raunchy, drug-fueled humor to the big screen with impressive results. “Up in Smoke” is a surprisingly well-paced and consistently funny road trip comedy. Fans of their stand-up will not be disappointed. While not for everyone, it’s an iconic film that has earned its place in comedy history.

Audience Reactions

Stacy Keach as the cop steals every scene he’s in.: Viewers consistently praise the movie’s consistent laugh and nostalgia

Overall Consensus: “Up in Smoke” is a classic stoner comedy that, while not for everyone, has earned its place in film history thanks to Cheech and Chong’s comedic chemistry and timeless humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The dog that took the burrito out of Anthony Stoner’s (Tommy Chong) hand was not a trained dog, but a local stray. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong ad-libbed around this, and it was left in the movie.”
• “The opening credits are in the style of spray-painted graffiti, super-imposed over Pedro’s low-rider, setting the tone for the film’s counter-culture humor.”
• “Director Lou Adler, primarily a music producer, had a natural feel for talent and getting the best out of talent. With the help of Cheech and Chong, he turned out a very very funny movie with Up in Smoke.”

🖥️ How to Watch Up in Smoke?

Up in Smoke is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. As of [current date], it is not included with any major streaming subscription service but is often available to rent for a small fee.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Up in Smoke, you might like these similar films:

• Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004): Similar stoner comedy road trip, filled with absurd situations and drug-induced humor.
• Dazed and Confused (1993): Captures the essence of 1970s youth culture, with a focus on partying, music, and carefree attitudes.
• Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980): The next installment in the iconic stoner series.
• The Big Lebowski (1998): Features a laid-back protagonist who gets into a series of increasingly bizarre situations, appealing to fans of stoner comedies.

🛒 Up in Smoke Related Products

• Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie [Blu-ray]: Continue the hilarious adventures with Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie Blu-ray! Enjoy high-definition visuals and laugh along with the iconic duo.
• Cheech & Chong T-Shirt: Show your love for the legendary comedy duo with this awesome Cheech & Chong T-shirt. Features a classic design that’s perfect for any fan.
• Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke (40th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]: Celebrate 40 years of laughter with the special edition Blu-ray. Includes exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes footage, and collectibles.
• Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie: Watch as they take you through a series of hilarious animated sketches and songs. A fresh and funny take on their iconic brand of humor.

🎧 Soundtrack

Up in Smoke features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Up In Smoke” – performed by Cheech & Chong
• “Earache My Eye” – performed by Cheech & Chong

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cheech & Chongs Up in Smoke

Want a quick intro to Cheech & Chong’s ‘Up in Smoke’? This video breaks down all the basics – who’s in it, who directed it, the whole shebang. Super helpful if you’re new to the movie or just need a refresher!

UPINSMOKE: I’M BLIND #shorts #comedy #movie

Ever wonder what makes ‘Up in Smoke’ so funny? This short clip gives you a taste of the movie’s humor with a classic scene. It’s hilarious!

Cheech & Chong – Up In Smoke – Funniest Scenes

Looking for a quick laugh? This video compiles some of the funniest moments from ‘Up in Smoke’. Trust me, it’s a blast from the past and totally worth a watch!

✨ Rate