The Hangover

I've seen The Hangover twice now. The first one doesn't count since it was with a free preview audience. They automatically suck. They're so excited to be at a free preview of a movie that they'll laugh at anything. Upon second screening with an actual paying crowd, I found that this movie is pretty hit or miss. As far as performances go, I don't think there will be a funnier performance this year than Zach Galifianakis shows in this film. Ed Helms has shown me he can get out of his Office bubble while Bradley Cooper firmly establishes himself as a comedic force to be reckoned with in the future. I don't think an asshole has ever been so likable as him.

In terms of plot, it seems like an uproarious idea. Trying to remember and piece together the events of the previous night. However, I'd rather the film also shown what the guys did to make their apartment so messy. Sure the ending credits were clever in showing the events through pictures. However, we never get a firm sense of what a good time they had throughout the night. And after all, isn't the movie an excuse to show a giant party. Also, the reason for Doug's absence fell flat with me. By having him be on the roof the entire time, you basically make their entire recollection null and void. If Doug was in the room when they woke up, the movie would never have a purpose. I would have even been fine with Doug being kidnapped by the mob. Instead, we allow Ed Helms to pick up on a stupid line like "You're more likely to end up on the roof than the floor." That didn't make sense.

Overall though, the hype for the movie is pretty well deserved. In an age where raunch is being tried by pretty much every comedy, The Hangover succeeds by combining strong performances with some sufficiently ridiculous events like stealing Mike Tyson's tiger. The music is consistently interwoven throughout the movie (sometimes incessantly) and works well in transitioning from essentially one comedic sketch to another. I kind of wish Ken Jeong wasn't given such major moments to perform because he's best in subtle moments where he steals the spotlight from someone else. The Hangover is pretty funny but to be honest, I don't want to see a sequel.

Grade: B

2009 Marlon Welles Awards Nominee:

Best Comedic Performance: Zach Galifianakis
Best Montage: Rain Man sequence in the casino
Best Scene Stealer: Ken Jeong
Most Surprising Moment: Was that really Galifianakis in all his glory?
Best Music
Best Use of a Song: Making Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight" relevant again
Best Trailer
Best Use of a Song in the Trailer: Rihanna's "Live Your Life"
Best "Best Moment of the Film": The kid in the police station getting back at Alan with tazer theatrics