Not since 'Scrooged' have the movies taken on Christmastime with such irreverent glee. 'The Night Before' is a raunchy, drug-fueled Christmas buddy comedy that delightfully abstains from logic, trading it for a surreal quasi-reality wherein anything can happen, especially warped Christmas miracles.

Three buddies, Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen), and Chris (Anthony Mackie), have a tradition. Every year, for fourteen years, the three of them have met up on Christmas Eve to hang out. Ever since Ethan's parents were run down by a drunk driver Isaac and Chris are the only family he's had.

Only now the trio is moving on. This will be the last time the three of them take on Christmas Eve in New York City together. That's because Isaac is about to be a father and Chris is far too famous a professional football player to be palling around with two dopes all the time. Ethan, sadly, is the one stuck in the past. Like Gary King from 'The World's End,' Ethan is stymied by a deadly case of arrested development. He's unable to move on, while his friends have passed him by.

The night is full of promise. A secret invite to one of the city's most exclusive parties has found its way into Ethan's hands. They have to go, but not before they find themselves embroiled in cheeky hijinks with a wide variety of nefarious characters.

Nothing about the Christmas holiday is left sacred, which is to be expected when folks like Rogen, and his long-time collaborator Evan Goldberg are involved. So, it's safe to say if you were incensed by the Starbucks Christmas cup controversy, then 'The Night Before' will send you into a frothing rage.

Awash in current social media humor 'The Night Before' feels like a stoner comedy for Millennials. Though it doesn't forget where it came from, because it also feels like a love letter to Christmas movies past. It never misses an opportunity to reference films like 'It's a Wonderful Life,' 'A Christmas Carol,' or even 'Die Hard.' It's determined to carve out its own niche in the "Must Watch This Every Christmas" category, all the while still paying homage to those that came before.

Oh, and it's funny. It really is. Each guy plays his part to perfection. Mackie adds the charm and bravado. Rogen is the bumbling drugged-out doofus. And Gordon-Leavitt pulls it all together with his palpable vulnerability and goodness. He's the believer, whereas the people around him are simply there to help him continue believing. Yet, as per the norm, Michael Shannon steals the show as a mystic/drug dealer the guys knew as Mr. Green in high school.

Like many successful R-rated comedies 'The Night Before' deals in lurid humor, which is buttressed by an emotional core. That core is essential to keeping the movie grounded as much as possible. To keep us interested in these characters as people and not just props for comedy. That's what "The Night Before" understands. The comedy is much more effective if the audience cares about the characters in the middle of it.

There are so many memorable moments that it's futile to try and list them. It indeed cements itself as a movie that should be watched every holiday season from now on, but just make sure the kids are in bed before you do.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

This is a pretty barebones release. Only one disc, which is a 50GB Blu-ray. An UltraViolet Digital Copy is also provided. A slipcover is included.