TAKE TWO: The Hangover Part II

The Hangover Part II

Rated: R

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Ken Cheong

Director: Todd Phillips

Chris’ Take:  I have to say that my expectations for this film were low even before I started reading the early reviews, and honestly, I think that helped. Plus, Pac and I went to a new movie theater near us that served alcohol…that probably helped more.

Beer! Making dumb comedies funnier since 1932.

The Wolfpack reunites in this sequel to the R-Rated comedy smash of 2009,  this time for Stu’s (Ed Helms) wedding in Thailand. Trying not to repeat the mistakes of the past, the gang simply has a one beer bachelor party down on the beach with Stu’s fiance’s younger brother, Teddy, but then wake up in a deserted hotel room in downtown Bangkok and Teddy is nowhere to be found. They now have to put all the pieces from the night before back together, so they can find him and make it back in time for Stu’s wedding.

A lot of critics came out and said that the film is beat for beat like the first one, and while the “formula” (even Todd Phillips calls it that) is very similar, I thought there was just enough disparity to make it at least an entertaining, albeit almost completely forgettable (no pun intended), experience.

As a whole, this really felt like Todd Phillips buying some time before making a completely different film for a third installment; kind of anticipating the demand for them. The jokes were mainly situational in nature, as opposed to the wittier dialogue in the first one. Phillips seemed to rely heavily on sight gags and somebody making a silly face while simply describing the ludicrous scene unfolding before them.

The highlight of the film is Galifianakis, who returns to his usual comedic form as Alan, and his character is what really keeps people entertained. Whether it is staring awkwardly, or his insecurity about his idiocy, he steals the scene. Unfortunately, after about the first forty-five minutes of the movie, he kind of fades into the background and only pops his head up in befuddlement occasionally, like he was expecting to be in a different movie.

While the plot is ridiculous in and of itself, and felt incredibly contrived just to get back to the same storyline, for this kind of film it isn’t really important. We all know where it is going to end up and that it will eventually have a happy ending. However, these people never really seem to grasp the depth of the consequences for their debauchery, which seems even more implausible than the actual plot. They just roll from one problem to the next, laugh and forget about all the traumatic events that just occurred, and keep moving like they never happened.

The film really isn’t that bad, or at least it wasn’t after my lowered expectations (and higher beer intake). Will it be a film that people remember? Probably not. If they saw it, I’m sure there are images that are forever engrained in their head, but the context and dialogue around them will be hazy; kind of like an actual hangover.

If that was Todd Phillips' intention, maybe this is just a misunderstood work of art.

OVERALL: B-

Pac’s Take:   Just because The Hangover part II was on my ten most anticipated films of the summer as well as my most anticipated films of 2011 doesn’t mean that I thought this was going to be a great movie.  Like Chris, my expectations for the movie were modest, though probably slightly higher, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first film and knew come its release I’d be in the mood for a follow up.

After a few pitchers I was set to watch the debauchery unfold as Alan, Stu, and Phil headed to Thailand to repeat the antics of the first film, hopefully in more grandiose fashion.  I was not disappointed.  Despite the film following the same formula as the first film, as Chris, Todd Phillips, Cracked.com and virtually every other opinionated voice pointed out, the formula worked the first time around as well as for the sequel.  While following the formula may have made some antics in the film more predictable and thus less funny due to a decreased shock value, it was apparent that Phillips was aware of this and threw in a few (albeit disgusting) shocks to fill those voids (no pun intended).  At times this did feel a little cheap, but I think for the most part it was handled well considering the circumstances.

I’m on record on this site stating that I supported the dismissal of Mel Gibson from this film and I was excited when I heard he was to be replaced by Liam Neeson.  Unfortunately, Neeson did not appear in the film either, and the lack of cameos actually hindered the film.  After viewing the scene which was supposed to feature Gibson, then Neeson, I would like to retract my previous stance and am disappointed Mel Gibson did not appear as Stu’s tattoo artist.  Normally, the featuring of celebrity cameos comes off as a cheap stunt that inhibit’s a movie’s progress in quality, pacing, and plot, but the presence of Mike Tyson and Heather Graham among others provided the original with memorable moments that the follow-up is sorely lacking.

 

Wiley Whiplash also dropped out due to scheduling conflicts

 

I mostly agree with Chris’s assessment of the film, and in the interest of our readers, do not feel the need to be redundant.  However, there is one aspect of the film that Chris briefly touched on that still has me irritated.  It is absurd that these characters can get themselves into these tumultuous situations without any real consequence.  It is difficult to go into specific detail without providing any spoilers so I will simply leave it as this (those of you who have seen the film will most likely understand).

Overall I give The Hangover part II a B- as well.