Movie Info
Movie Name: The Hangover Part II
Studio: Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures/Green Hat Pictures
Genre(s): Comedy
Release Date(s): May 19, 2011 (Premiere)/May 26, 2011 (US)
MPAA Rating: R
Hey guys…want some marshmallows?
The Wolfpack is getting together again…whether they want to or not. With Stu Price (Ed Helms) getting married, Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper) and Doug Billings (Justin Bartha) are guilted into taking Alan Garner (Zach Galifianakis) to Thailand for the wedding. When Alan objects to the involvement of Stu’s fiancée’s brother Teddy (Mason Lee), plans go awry again. Now Alan, Phil, and Stu find themselves lost in Bangkok searching for Teddy and encounter their old “friend” Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong), a monkey, and an underworld deal led by a mysterious man named Kingsley (Paul Giamatti).
Directed by Todd Phillips, The Hangover Part II was a follow-up to the surprise blockbuster The Hangover in 2009. The movie was released to huge number but largely negative reviews from fans of the first film and critics.
When I want a nice smooth after dinner taste…I smoke Monkey Kools…
The problem with The Hangover Part II is pretty obvious when you start to watch it. The Hangover Part II is the first Hangover with just a different setting, a different missing person, and a monkey instead of a baby. It feels like a very rushed sequel that the writers didn’t put much thought into.
The plot could have done something else (anything else) to change it up. The Hangover was a surprise and fun. It felt like a throwback to older comedies of the ‘80s with some smart and clever writing. Here, it feels like they had jokes that they didn’t get to fit in the first one and just scripted another plot around it.
Hey, these pictures are crazy…like last time!!!
The Wolfpack was fun in the first movie, but here, it doesn’t even make sense that they would allow the craziness of Alan back into their lives (yes, they try really hard to justify it). If the wedding had been in California, I would have maybe given them some leeway, but to have this be some extravagant overseas trip wasn’t realistic that they would permit him to come along regardless of the situation. Zach Galifianakis is still funny as Alan, but an elevated role for Ken Jeong as Leslie Chow was unnecessary and irritating.
The Hangover was fun…The Hangover Part II was a chore. If you missed The Hangover you probably could just watch The Hangover Part II and understand it. Despite the rehash the film did well and The Hangover Part II was followed by The Hangover Part III in 2013.
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