I have seen this movie several times and just watched it again this weekend, and I still find it highly entertaining.
Those who feel that this movie is somehow weak, ineffective, or inferior to Dazed and Confused are most likely too young to have experienced the late 70's/early 80's.
While I did not grow up in Los Angeles during the 70's, things were essentially identical in southern Canada. Seeking out the evenings party, looking to score some pot and booze/beer, and with a little luck, getting laid were the prime motives of the evening. While that is no different than the motivations of today's teens, I think Stoned Age does a better job at depicting the scene relative to it's time than contemporary movies do at depicting the current era. It is not flashy, or glossy. Everyone is not a "beautiful person" driving a Porsche. These are teenagers after all!
At the risk of dating myself, it was also nice to watch a "teen" movie that didn't have a soundtrack entirely made up of Hip-Hop.
I think this is a wonderful movie! I sometimes find myself unable to rationalise why I like it, but all I know for sure is that I DO like it!
Like someone else mentioned, the characters are real. Like most, I can watch this movie and see people I knew back then who were carbon copies of the characters. Crump was the local heavy. Hubbs is a bit of dick, but ultimately an okay guy. Tack("You kak!"). Everyone knows a Tack! Laney was the hot chick/ball breaker that was/is indigenous to every high school, while girls like Jill(call me crazy, but I thought she was better looking for some reason) who have a brain and a personality are underrated.
And Joe? How many of us can relate to Joe on some level?
Cudos to the actor playing the clerk at the liquor store too!
This is a fine movie, and I would highly recommend that you check it out!
