The Night Before, a new comedy starring; Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie is boasted by their respective star power, but dwindles in holiday cheer. I mean this is supposed to be a clever R rated xmas comedy right? Well it feels like an overly saturated hour and forty five minutes of retread stoner gags (some which we have seen many times). There is going to be a day where I’m going to have to ask myself, “does the buck stop here?” As is the case with The Night Before, a film that has all the puzzle pieces in place, like a terrific director (Jonathan Levine – who directed Rogen/Levitt in the wonderful 50/50) and a likeable pair of leads that will sell this movie to audience solely based on their chemistry. Unfortunately, while their bromance on screen is well timed, it still feels a little elated. The Night Before runs out of good jokes by about the hour mark, where , at that point, the only thing this film can rely on is the overly induced-drug infested Rogen to palpate some laughs. Some of the jokes stick, most of them don’t.

The story opens like any other Christmas themed movie of the sorts, only this time it’s complete with a Tracy Morgan voice over- setting up the film’s premise in good ole’ rhyming fashion. For the past fifteen years (since 2001) Ethan (Levitt), Isaac (Rogen), and Chris (Mackie) have all been together every Christmas, since Ethan’s parents passed away, doing whatever it is three best friends do. Whether that be playing Goldeneye on N64 or, getting into drunken brawls with imposter Santa Clauses. Now fast forward some fifteen years later, and the gang is getting ready to rid of their tradition. Isaac is expecting his first baby, while Chris is an all-pro athlete whose reputation on social media is “fire”. But before they all part ways for good they will have one last night of solidarity, in the quest to attend the “Nutcracker Ball.” Which is only the hottest party ever on Christmas.

From then on the night takes a toll, Chris tries to score some ‘magical weed’ from a shady, although very funny, Mr. Green (Michael Shannon) – only to get it taken by a strange woman who you think might potentially become the love interest for our Chris, but really, she never manages to propel the story forward, I don’t even remember her name..did they even say it?. Rogen is reduced to an over abundance of slapstick drug humor, as he gets doped up on every drug from molly to cocaine. The latter drug which proves to be a good punch line with an unsuspecting Mindy Kaling (who also has some good one liners).

Yet – with all the likability on screen here, most of the humor doesn’t play well. It’s safe to assume this gang already pushed their luck with last year’s The Interview (which was more hype than anything – I commended the film for it’s brash off the wall, white knuckle humor) – something The Night Before, lacks and desperately needed. I still find it hard in the logistics of where this film went wrong, it’s just kind of all over the place if I’m being honest. This is a tragic tale of where a group of good friends get together, make a movie, and have a good time except those watching ‘said’ movie are not in on the joke. Even a late cameo from Miley Cyrus couldn’t save this movie, now there is something you don’t see everyday.  C-