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Writer's pictureKyle Bain

Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (2020)

Drugs have long been depicted as these horrific items that will affect a users life in the worst possible way. Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics flips the usual stigma of drugs on its head and attempts to tell the more comical stories of some unusually big names in Hollywood. Dozens of celebrities get together to tell their stories of both good and bad trips and the effects that these trips have had on them and their lives. Through a series of cartoons, skits and testimonials, direct from the mouths of these celebrities, it is expressed just how emotionally and physically satisfying (and how horrifically bad) psychedelics can be--and have been during their personal experiences. 


How well can viewers, of any age, race, religion, etc. relate to the stories of celebrities tripping on psychedelics? Well, create an atmosphere that allows audiences to see these celebrities, who they are often unable to associate themselves with, as human beings rather than something of an untouchable. Have A Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics ensures that audiences feel a connection to the individuals on the screen as they begin telling their stories of their hallucinogenic experiences. Allowing viewers to appreciate the subjects of the film in this fashion provides the opportunity for said viewers to better appreciate the stories being told and the overall arch of the story. 


Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics opens with a story from the world famous Sting. As he tells his story of traveling to Mexico, helping a cow give birth and walking, blindfolded, up a foreign mountain, it becomes clear that writer-director Donick Cary and the head of the animation department Jared Deal are not messing around. Their depictions of the stories told by these celebrities are going to be trippy, overexaggerated and uber realistic. Their comical renditions of what is being told nearly brought me to tears on multiple occasions. A topic of this nature might be stressful to those who are unfamiliar with drugs of this nature (or drugs of any nature). Creating this fictional rendition of what is being said sort of mellows the tone of the film and invites audiences into the experiences of celebrities like Sting, Ben Stiller, A$AP Rocky and Carrie Fisher


Much of what takes place throughout the film should be considered taboo by the general public. However, Donick Cary and the rest of the cast and crew’s choice to incorporate these asinine depictions of the stories makes the film (and its stories) more accessible to viewers. Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics opens itself up to the public and allows a taboo topic to be accepted, at least temporarily, by those bold enough to watch the documentary. 


The scenarios, regardless of how real, are comical, laughable and all around enjoyable. From beginning to end I found myself engaged in the ridiculousness of the film, the people involved and their stories. Having a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics walks a thin line between what is acceptable and what is not, often leaning more toward making these ridiculous stories come to life and acceptable to the general public. Even if you hate the idea of others taking drugs or you’re one of those people who thinks that drugs are the worst thing on the face of the earth, Having a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics and those involved in telling the stories make everything about this documentary enjoyable. The celebrities are genuine and fun, making the taboo temporarily acceptable. 


Written & Directed by Donick Cary. Starring Sting, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Carrie Fisher, A$AP Rocky, etc. 


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10


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