As a movie buff, there are two types of films I'm always inclined to see in theaters: stoner comedies and artistic films that make you think. Usually, there isn't much overlap between the two, and when there is, it is usually a piss-poor attempt at breaking the mold. It is rarely original.

"Sausage Party" is the exception. It is the brainchild of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jonah Hill, written by Rogen and Goldberg with Kyle Hunter and Ari Shaffir. There was no question in my mind when buying my ticket that "Sausage Party" would be a raunchy, vulgar movie that featured lots of drugs and sex. When I realized that, as an animated movie, the MPAA slapped an R-rating on it, I knew it would be something more than just what I expected.

Sure, there was drugs and lots of sex and sexual innuendos, but the movie stands on its own merits, not just on its throwaway dick jokes and depictions of food smoking pot. It is also a nuanced (but by no means subtle) examination of religion and theology. I left the movie with some serious questions -- what did I just watch? Does God exist as we think He does? Why was that ending so troubling? -- but I think that's what Rogen and Co. were going for. They wanted us to come for the rated-R drugs, sex, and comedy, but stay for the serious aspects of the film.

I imagine that the production meetings consisted mainly of Rogen, Goldberg, and Hill passing around a bong, competing for the title of "most ridiculous idea." There were too many "goodness gracious" moments, where I had to take a second to admire how the trio gets away with absolute absurdity. For instance, a lavash (obviously the Middle Eastern character) named Kareem Abdul Jabar and a bagel (obviously the Jewish character) named Sammy Bagel Jr. Or, when you realize that Firewater is the stereotypical Native character and Twinkie is the gay character. I find it difficult to not be impressed at how the writers managed to juxtapose jokes that some might deem offensive, and is at the least low-hanging fruit, with serious musings on religion and theology. It really is quite masterful.

I was very pleased with the movie as a whole. It was 88 minutes of non-stop laughter, and is highly worth the outrageous price of a ticket.