Alright, fellow tapeheads, let's rewind to a time when sequels often meant throwing everything at the wall just to see what stuck, preferably through a thick haze of… well, you know. Remember shuffling through the comedy section at the local video store, the colourful boxes promising laughs, maybe a little rebellion? If you stumbled upon the worn cover of Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980), you knew you were in for something gloriously unhinged. This wasn't just a follow-up to Up in Smoke; it felt like being invited directly into the duo's chaotic, smoke-filled world, minus any real need for a plot.
### More Shenanigans, Less Structure
Picking up loosely where their first cinematic outing left off (sort of), Next Movie ditches narrative coherence almost entirely. Instead, it embraces a free-wheeling, almost sketch-comedy structure that feels incredibly authentic to Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong's stand-up roots. Directed by Chong himself in his directorial debut, the film has a scrappier, more intimate vibe than its predecessor. You can almost feel the lower budget – reportedly around $3 million – translating into a creative freedom, a sense that they were just riffing and having a blast, camera rolling.
We find our heroes living next door to Cheech’s perpetually annoyed cousin, Red Mendoza (also played brilliantly by Marin), siphoning gas, causing neighbourhood mayhem, and generally trying to score. The film ambles through various set pieces: a disastrous day job, a visit to a welfare office that descends into pure absurdity, an encounter with a movie set (featuring a hilarious cameo from Paul Reubens pre-Pee-wee Herman fame!), and even a close encounter of the truly bizarre kind. It's less a story, more a series of vignettes showcasing the duo's unique brand of laid-back, observational, and often surreal humour.
### That Early 80s Haze
What makes Next Movie such a quintessential slice of VHS Heaven is how perfectly it captures a specific early 80s counter-culture vibe. It's lazy, sun-drenched, and utterly unconcerned with respectability. The humour is often crude, occasionally nonsensical, but delivered with that undeniable chemistry between the leads. Cheech Marin is a force of nature, switching effortlessly between the cool Chicano dude and the apoplectic Red, whose Vietnam flashbacks provide some of the film's loudest laughs. Tommy Chong, as ever, is the Zen master of mellow, his spaced-out reactions providing the perfect counterpoint.
Let's talk about the practical charm here. The gags aren't slick. The alien spaceship looks like it was cobbled together in someone's garage (and probably was). There's a raw, unpolished feel to the whole enterprise that’s oddly endearing now. Remember watching this on a fuzzy CRT, the picture perhaps tracking slightly? It somehow fit the movie's aesthetic. This wasn’t aiming for Spielbergian wonder; it was aiming for laughs rooted in character and situation, however outlandish. A notable "Retro Fun Fact": the iconic customised 'Love Machine' Chevrolet Impala featured prominently met a rather unceremonious end, catching fire for real during filming due to faulty hydraulics – a moment of spontaneous chaos perfectly suited to the film's spirit.
### Cult Status Cemented
While Up in Smoke broke ground and became a massive hit, Next Movie solidified Cheech & Chong's cinematic persona. Critics at the time were often dismissive, missing the point entirely, but audiences responded. The film was another box office success, proving there was a huge appetite for this kind of anarchic comedy that flew in the face of mainstream sensibilities. It wasn't trying to be sophisticated; it was trying to be funny in its own specific, hazy way. Supporting players like Evelyn Guerrero as Donna, Cheech’s girlfriend, gamely try to keep things grounded, but the film belongs to the central duo's comedic whirlwind. The soundtrack, too, is a blast – a mix of rock, funk, and comedic tunes that perfectly complements the on-screen antics.
The episodic nature might frustrate viewers looking for a conventional plot, and yes, some of the humour definitely feels like a product of its time. But viewed through the lens of nostalgia, remembering the feeling of discovering this kind of boundary-pushing comedy on tape, it holds a special place. It’s the cinematic equivalent of hanging out with your funniest, most irresponsible friends for 90 minutes.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6.5/10
Justification: It lacks the tighter focus (relatively speaking) of Up in Smoke and leans heavily into a scattershot, sketch-like format that doesn't always land. However, the core chemistry between Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong is electric, Marin's multiple roles are hilarious (especially Red), and the film perfectly captures a specific, unapologetic early 80s slacker vibe. It's undeniably funny in bursts and holds significant cult appeal for fans. The low-budget charm and Chong's freewheeling directorial style add to its unique flavour, even if it feels less like a 'movie' and more like a series of comedic riffs strung together.
Final Hit: Cheech & Chong's Next Movie is pure, uncut C&C, straight from the hazy heyday of video rentals. Maybe not their most refined blend, but still potent enough to spark nostalgic giggles and remind you of a time when comedy could be this gloriously messy and still find its audience. Definitely worth a spin if you're chasing that vintage stoner comedy dragon.