Ideas for movies are becoming few and far between. Almost every movie released in the past few years has been based on a book, a remake or a sequel. Usually the movie isn’t as good as the book, the remake isn’t as good as the original and the sequel isn’t as good as the first. “The Hangover: Part II” is no exception.
“The Hangover” is undoubtedly one of the funniest, raunchiest movies released in recent years. When it got around that a sequel was in the works, audiences had mixed feelings. Sure, a return of the Wolfpack could be pretty great, but is it possible for another movie to measure up to the comedic standards that “The Hangover” set? And a better question: How does one experience a night like theirs twice? You would think they’d learn their lesson.
“The Hangover: Part II” starts off just like it’s predecessor with Phil (Bradley Cooper) on the phone with Doug’s (Justin Bartha) wife, telling her: “It happened again.”
Seeing as how the last bachelor party the Wolfpack attended was a disaster to say the least, the newly engaged Stu (Ed Helms) decides he wants to have a calm bachelor brunch instead of another wild night in Las Vegas before his wedding in Thailand, much to Phil’s dismay.
When Doug asks Stu to invite Alan (Zach Galafianakis), Stu hesitated since their previous adventures were Alan’s fault, but eventually agrees anyway. When the guys have a beer on the beach two nights before the wedding, with Stu’s fiancé’s little brother Teddy (Mason Lee), they don’t expect to be whisked back into the same situation they were in in Vegas.
The next morning, Phil, Alan and Stu wake up in a dilapidated motel room in Bangkok, minus Teddy, plus Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong) and a monkey in the bathroom. They then start on a mission to find Teddy before the wedding.
While watching “The Hangover: Part II,” you’ll start wondering if you’re watching a sequel or a remake. Instead of losing Doug, they lose Teddy. Instead of finding a baby, they find a monkey. Instead of getting tazed by cops, they get beaten with sticks by monks. Instead of someone losing a tooth, someone loses a finger. Instead of Stu marrying a stripper, he just has sex with one. Instead of Chow jumping out of a trunk and beating the gang, he jumps out of an ice machine, etc., etc.
Sounding repetitive yet? Well, that’s what “The Hangover: Part II.” The only good part about the repetition is that the hilarity of the first sets the second one up for humor by default.
Though this movie is basically the exact same as the original with a Bangkok backdrop rather than a Las Vegas one, it’s still enjoyable, just not as enjoyable as the first one. It would be difficult to watch any movie with that cast and not crack a smile. Sure, some of the jokes are too over-the-top and seem like they’re trying too hard, but for the most part, “The Hangover: Part II” is funny.
For a couple of hours of mindless entertainment and offensive – in the best way possible – comedy, it’s a safe bet. Just block out the fact that “The Hangover” is so much better.
It’s a shame that director Todd Phillips stretched the story of the Wolfpack a little too far instead of just leaving it at the top, but we can always remember that what happens in Bangkok stays in Bangkok? No, that doesn’t sound right.