Movie Review: The Hangover Part II
After watching The Hangover Part II, I think it’s fair to compare it stylistically to a horror movie sequel. For instance, in this installment of The Hangover, the stakes are higher (body counts are always higher in horror sequels), and the death scenes are much more elaborate, dark and brutal (this incarnation of The Hangover loses some of the playful vulgarity of the original and trades it in for dark depravity). The only problem is, The Hangover Part II has higher stakes, but it never seems to go to the next level and get out from under the shadow that the highly successful original casts. Instead, it quickly starts to feel like a grittier version of the original.
This time around, after previously marrying (and divorcing) an escort in the original film, Stu (Ed Helms) has finally found the woman of his dreams and is flying to Thailand to marry her, because that’s where her family is from. Still not completely recovered from their evening of depravity in Las Vegas, Stu opts for a bachelor brunch at a local IHOP over a legitimate bachelor party, which upsets friends Phil and Doug (Bradley Cooper and Justin Bartha). Phil and Doug finally cave in on Stu’s request after he decides to invite Doug’s brother-in-law Alan (Zach Galifianakis who again steals the show). Once the Wolf Pack reunites, it’s off to Thailand, but before they get on the plane, the gang meets Stu’s future brother-in-law Teddy (Mason Lee), which results in some mildly amusing scenes between him and Alan as Alan is jealous of the new pack member.
While respecting Stu’s desire for not having a bachelor party, Phil convinces him to partake in a single beer at a bonfire on the beach. The movie then fast-forwards to the next morning where “it” appears to have happened again, with “it” being all parties blacking out sometime during the night and not remembering a thing. Only this time, the Wolf Pack (minus Doug) misplaces Teddy and it appears they’re in a seedy hotel in the middle of Bangkok. If you’ve seen the first movie, you know what happens next: the three begin to backtrack their evening in an attempt to find Teddy (who they also know is missing a finger). What ensues is a grittier (and not as funny) romp through Bangkok to find Teddy, where the guys are joined by Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong). Even though the movie is extremely predictable (and feels like it follows most of the original movie plot point by plot point), I won’t list the things they find out while searching for Teddy because most of the fun of this series is being surprised by the evening and watching how the three principles react to each new discovery. Just know that, just like in the first movie, you can always count on Alan to deliver a quirky one-liner, on Stu to blow up a few times and sing a song, and on Phil to be the glue that allows Alan and Stu’s characters to be raised up a few notches.
Even though the plot wasn’t as original and over-the-top as I would have wanted it, Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, and Zach Galifianakis shine in their reprised roles. Although I doubt another wedding/bachelor party theme would be as successful as a third installment of this franchise (following the horror series rules, the third in the trilogy is always the worst), I would love for director Todd Phillips to find a way to bring these guys together again.
If you loved the first movie, and you walk into The Hangover Part II with the expectations that you’re getting more of the same, then you’ll probably enjoy this movie. Is it the funniest movie out right now? Is it better, or and does it expand on the story and entertainment value of the first film? No (the better comedy choice right now would be Bridesmaids), but it’s still a fun movie to watch with friends or in a packed theatre. When it comes to depravity on the scale of The Hangover Part II, I say the more the merrier.
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