Vegas trips and bachelor parties are probably two of the most hedonistic clich?s in American society today, both on and off the silver screen. For this reason, it is easy to see why the idea of combining the two into one film could be a recipe for box office disaster. Yet, “The Hangover” unabashedly embraces these clich?s in such an over the top manner that the result is a sleeper hit that while not always hilarious remains entertaining throughout.
In his latest comedy, director Todd Phillips, who has been striking out big-time recently with bombs like “School for Scoundrels” and “Starsky & Hutch,” returns to the formula that made “Old School” such a huge success for him – just have average, middle-aged Joe Schmos act like complete idiots on camera.
Phil (Bradley Cooper, “He’s Just Not That Into You”) is the good-looking teacher who is too cool for his job and married life. Stu (Ed Helms, TV’s “The Office”) is a dweebish dentist held back by the short leash his overbearing girlfriend keeps on him. Then there is Alan (Zach Galifianakis, “What Happens in Vegas”), the out of control, juvenile brother-in-law who also happens to be dumb as a brick. Together, the three join groom-to-be Doug (Justin Bartha, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”) for what they hope will be a night they will never forget. The only problem is they wake up the next morning with no memory of the night’s events and no Doug.
While the storyline itself is rather simple and unoriginal, it is the approach screenwriting duo Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”) take that makes this film more than just another banal romp through Sin City. By having the story start the day after all the tequila-soaked mayhem, Lucas and Moore are able to introduce a surprise factor that keeps things hilarious. There is always that “what the hell could they have possibly done next” factor as pieces of the night begin to come together.
Because the muscle behind the movie’s comedic kick lies in these surprises, there will not be a whole lot of detail in this review beyond what has already been spoiled in the trailer, but a wedding chapel, an unidentified baby and an Asian gangster played by the always neurotically funny Ken Jeong (“Role Models”) are all part of the mix.
What is refreshing about this film, though, is that it does not rely on raunchiness alone to get the job done. Fortunately, there is some wit involved as well. That said, like most R-rated comedies, the film does try to stretch the censors. Yet, while this usually means boob-palooza, this movie takes it the other way and goes for male nudity instead. However, women should not get too excited, thinking they are going to catch a glimpse of Cooper’s bare ass, because the nudity is not only unattractive, but also tasteless and mostly pointless to the film.
In the end, what makes this film work is its talented cast, which is a must when a movie is as character-driven as this one is. The threesome of Cooper, Helms and Galifianakis meshes perfectly together, managing to remain amusing even when they are not trying to crack a joke. Helms brings the same brilliant comedic timing found on “The Office” to the big screen, knowing just the right time to start freaking out about things.
Cooper, on the other hand, is terrific as the cool and collected setup man to Helms and Galifianakis’s hysteria. Speaking of Galifianakis, there are no words to describe the riotous chaos he brings to the group. The best part about the character he creates is you just never know what the hell he is going to do next.
All in all, there is a good reason why “The Hangover” was the unexpected champ at the box office last weekend. It has wide appeal and stays enjoyable even though the humor is hit or miss at times. While the film’s producers have not created anything groundbreaking here, this movie is certainly one of the better comedies out right now and one you will not regret seeing.
3 stars out of 5
