For the sake of the children, it’s probably better that “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” was released in early November. Any closer to the actual holiday and unsuspecting families might end up seeing a Christmas movie that could scar them for life.

The very R-rated comedy, the third in the cult-stoner series, contains aggressive drug use, child endangerment, Claymation nudity, countless f-words and Santa Claus getting shot in the head.

The point of “Harold & Kumar” is to be excessive, especially in its use of 3D. I can’t even mention some of the things that go flying out at the audience. Nestled deep within the filth, though, is a loving tribute to those feel-good Christmas movies you watch every year. Did I mention the toddler that inadvertently ingests a mound of cocaine?

The story picks up a few years after the first two “Harold & Kumar” movies. Kumar (Kal Penn) remains a dutiful stoner, while Harold (John Cho) has settled nicely into suburban life. Their friendship on the rocks, a mysterious present brings the duo back together on Christmas Eve. When Kumar accidentally burns down the Christmas tree grown by Harold’s father-in-law (guess how the fire starts), the guys begin a frantic search for a replacement.

Along the way, Harold and Kumar encounter old friends, vicious gangsters and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris.

For many, the extended cameo of NPH is the reason to see any “Harold & Kumar” movie, and his appearance here doesn’t disappoint. He even leads a show-stopping musical number.

Look, this movie is pretty stupid. The franchise will never be understood or enjoyed by the majority of moviegoers, and I’m sure plenty of people would be offended by what goes on in a Christmas-themed adventure.

Still, the characters continue to have a bumbling charm, and there’s actually a fairly heartwarming message about what “growing up” can do to longtime friendships. Cho and Penn have good comic chemistry and the movie has a so-wrong-it’s-right mentality that plays like, say, “Bad Santa.”

And here’s some food for thought: “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” currently has more positive reviews than Clint Eastwood’s “J. Edgar” biopic.

Surely this must be the apocalypse.

Grade: B