By It must have been a daunting challenge for director Todd Phillips to produce a successful follow-up for one of the funniest comedies of the decade. The highly-anticipated “The Hangover Part Two”, although not as good as the first chaotic, drug-induced bachelor party, is still a hilarious continuation of the “wolf pack’s” quest for alcohol, cocaine and strippers.
Many reviews have bashed the film saying it’s not funny and is too similar to the original. Although “The Hangover Part Two” ― released on May 26 ― is much like the original, the film is still worthwhile. The original was so creative, hilarious and unlike any other bachelor party movie ever made, it would only make sense to replicate that in a new setting and with subtle differences.
As the boys try to piece together their memories from the past evening and are left with even fewer clues as to where they have been, Phil (Bradley Cooper) has to make that same phone call once again to inform Doug’s (Justin Bartha) wife that they “fucked up” and this time it’s worse. Phil diligently guides the boys through the next few scenes, which are filmed with creative camera angles and cinematography of Bangkok’s slums and Thailand’s beautiful coast.
The film becomes lesser of its great predecessor is through the dramatization of focal characters’ personalities, like Allan (Zach Galifianakis) and Mr. Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong). At times, their personalities, although still funny, are awkward, over-the-top and come off as unnatural and forced. One scene, which flashbacks to a week before the wedding, seems especially forced. Stu, (Ed Helms), Doug and Phil are torn between inviting Allan along on the journey. Allan’s reactions are unnatural as he yelled at his mom to bring him a sandwich, almost too similar to “Wedding Crashers,” in which Will Ferrell’s character erratically yells at his mom to bring him a meatloaf. Allan’s premeditated dinner table speech is also awkward and not nearly as great as the one in which shed blood on the rooftop of Caesars Palace in the first film.
Mr. Chow’s personalities are by far the most overly-dramatized and forced. Maybe it was a flaw in acting or terrible dialogue, but his presence is nowhere as close to his few stunning scenes in the original. However, his criminal antics and rebel lifestyle of partying with drugs is still funny despite the lack of fluidity and naturalness.
Overall, the film is incredibly hilarious and arguably better is certain areas. The level of raunchiness might make some stomachs turn.
The ability to make someone laugh is a talent far too often left unappreciated. Phillips is a director who has creatively found a perfect cast, setting and scenario that just about everyone can relate to from some life experience. It’s a worthy watch, even though it has fallen into the category of another lesser sequel.
