The Hangover Part 2

"Sweetie, it's Papa.  Your friends are here."


The Hangover Part 2 was doomed before it hit theaters a couple of weeks ago.  Sequels never review as well as their predecessors.  Todd Phillips created a formula.  This formula was followed, almost to a fault.  It is a formula that should only work once, but has almost worked again.  


Hangover begins as the first one did, with Phil explaining that "it's happened" to Tracy on a cell phone.  The movie then cuts from Bangkok to America, where we learn that Stu is now engaged to Lauren and the wedding will be held in Thailand.  Understandably nervous about what may happen if there is a bachelor's party, Stu holds a "party" at an IHOP instead of the night before the wedding.  Stu, Phil, and Doug are reluctant to invite Alan, the reason for their last night of misadventure, but the formula would not be complete without him.  Once in Thailand the quartet decides that one beer on the beach would be enough of a party...  From this point the film falls far short of the expectations set by the original.


I believe one of the elements that made the original Hangover so magical was the way it caught everyone of guard.  It came from left field and leaving us all rolling on the floor.  The second installment should have had a similar effect.  The same director, writers, and actors should equal cinema gold.  However, like with so many sequels, this one falls prey of overselling and under-delivering.  I believe that if had not known about this film, we would have loved it.


This film is much darker, raunchier, and sadistic to the viewer than necessary.  There was never a point when I needed to know why they call it Bangkok (tranny hooker).  We see Mr. Chow naked, cut-off fingers, an international Mob Boss, the russian mob, people shot, and a shaved Alan.  All of these should make for an extremely funny flick, but some how they don't.  Zach Galifianakis is genius yet again, his dry, childish delivery is pure gold.  Ed Helms is steady in his role, a little over played this time, but steady.  Bradley Cooper is almost non-existent.


It's now been a few weeks since my first viewing and the humor in this film has begun to grow on me.  I will never get over the "this is why they call it Bangkok" scene, but I believe that once I've seen this movie again it will be in a better light, now that my expectations are on the floor.


I give this move one thumb up.  Why?  Because I have two thumbs, but it's only good enough for one.