The Hangover Part II

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is The Hangover Part II.

Directed by Todd Phillips.

Written by Craig Mazin, Scot Armstrong & Todd Phillips. 

Review #122

MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images.

Runtime: 102 min

Cast

Bradley Cooper - Phil

Ed Helms - Stu

Zach Galifianakis - Alan

Justin Bartha - Doug

Ken Jeong - Mr. Chow

Paul Giamatti - Kingsley

Mike Tyson - Himself

Jeffrey Tambor - Sid Garner

Mason Lee - Teddy

Jamie Chung - Lauren

Sasha Barrese - Tracy


If you read my Kung Fu Panda II review then you are aware of the categories that sequels fall into. If you need a reminder, here they are again.

1) They suck (that's webster's term....not mine)

2) They are passable. No new ground is broken. The story just moves laterally with no fresh outlook.

3) They supersede the original. On every level, the new film takes what the first one accomplished and establishes a higher standard.

The Hangover Part II falls right into category #2. Historically that isn't good news for a sequel but in this case it's great news because you get exactly what you want. Which is an instant replay of the original.


Plot


Right after the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu's wedding. Stu's plan for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, however, goes seriously awry.


After the enormous success of the first film. There was no way the money men weren't going to let this golden goose fly away. So the scribes went to work and hammered out a new adventure for Stu, Phil and Alan. Like I said earlier, this is exactly the same film. You are not seeing anything new here and it works. They found a way to duplicate the exact same scenario of the first one and have it still feel fresh. A big factor was the change of scenery. Thailand was a good place to set up this new chapter. We've all heard stories about how crazy that place can be and the craziness is on full display. It also allowed for some very very funny jokes that only work in Thailand.

You'll know what I'm talking about when you see the scene.

The performances of the main cast were just as zany and fun as in the original. In fact they may have outdone themselves because of the unbelievable reality among the trio that the exact same situation happened again. Stu shines here since he is the main character affected here. Phil continues his super cool thing and Alan is the same moron that we all remember. He was probably the character I liked the least here. In The Hangover, he was fresh and new. Here he gave me a small bit of a been there, done that feel.

The story is very tight and follows the blueprint that was set ahead of it. Normally I would scoff at this kind of writing but once again it works. Every situation that falls on the main characters gets explained. In fact the only beef I have with the situations that happen to the characters was what happens to Teddy. I felt the aftermath of his story was weak and a cop out. Other than that, everything else was well done.

On the 5 star scale. The Hangover Part II gets 4 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

Making a sequel to one of the greatest "R" rated comedies of all time was a very suspect and risky venture. The success of part II will no doubt spawn a part 3, 4, 5 and so on. I hope we're all prepared because lighting can only strike the money men enough times before we end up getting hit.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is X-Men: First Class.

Until next episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"