The Hangover Part II (2011)

People Who Matter:  

Bradley Cooper:  Phil

Ed Helms:  Stu

Zack Galifiankis:  Alan

Justin Bartha:  Doug

Here we go again.  Seeing as how the first film came out of nowhere and grossed $485 million, it was only a matter of time before a sequel hit.  Hollywood is a numbers game, after all.  Now, what needs to be addressed early and often, especially with this type of sequel, is that there's not going to be anything new except for the jokes.  Those expecting an entirely new story were obviously looking for an entirely new movie.  The biggest surprise in this one is that it somehow managed to slip away with just an R rating, and that's not a joke.  There is some crazy stuff in this one, stuff that makes Alan's elevator fellatio seem like the opening sequence to the new SpongeBob SquarePants movie.  

Usually, I spend this time discussing the plot... but if you've seen the first one (which, let's be honest, you have and you laughed your ass off) you know the story.  The movie opens with Phil (Cooper) making that dreaded wedding day phone call that doesn't even come as a shock to the person on the other end.  Then the movie backs it up a few weeks, where we learn Stu (Helms) is getting married to Lauren (Jamie Chung) soon, and he wants needs it to go off without a hitch because Lauren's dad is a dick and he hates Stu.  So, Stu logically wants to keep Alan completely out of the picture (unsuccessfully), and wants to have a "bachelor brunch" at IHOP instead of an actual bachelor party.   Of course, Phil would never let that happen, and as soon as they get to Thailand, he talks Stu into one beer on the beach with his boys.  They make jokes about how the beers are sealed and they aren't going to get roofied.  Yeah... about that, guys.  

Speaking of roofies, Alan, who was probably my favorite character throughout both films, returns as his usual crazy self.  We first see him in his room, barking orders to his mom through a speaker system about his lunch.  He describes himself as a "stay-at-home-son" and has pictures of their escapades in Vegas blown up and plastered around his bedroom.  Clearly, that was the best time he's ever had in his life and he was extremely upset that Stu didn't want him to go to his wedding.  The boys feel bad and invite him, despite everyone's misgivings, to which he immediately gives himself medical care that he is definitely not qualified to give, showing everybody this is going to be one interesting ride.  Before their departure to Thailand, Alan takes an immediate dislike that is borderline hatred to Lauren's little brother Teddy (Mason Lee), a 16-year-old genius who is pre-med at Stanford.  Alan is not too happy about anybody intruding on the Wolf Pack. 

 Despite their single beers on the beach, they wake up in a seedy hotel room that is clearly far from the resort they left the night before.  Stu has a massive tattoo on the side of his face, Alan's head is shaved, and Phil... well, Phil got off easy again.  They have misplaced Teddy, although they do find something rather important that belongs to him.  Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) makes a reappearance, and we see his genitals... again.  

They search the city in an attempt to find clues as to what happened, and they learn far more than they wanted to know.  There are crime bosses, car chases, shoot-outs, drug-dealing monkeys, ladyboys, monks doing blow, and missing fingers, all through the seedy underbelly of Bangkok, a city where sex and drugs seem to rule.  Paul Giamatti plays an interesting part as Kingsley, a guy who is not too happy with Mr. Chow. 

Again is something I have said a lot in this review, which might be contradictory to some, but I disagree.  Todd Phillips took the "If it isn't broken, don't fix it formula" and created something that isn't new at all, but has new ways to keep people entertained.  And this movie certainly is entertaining.  It was funny from start to finish.  I went to the midnight showing, which admittedly was full of mostly drunk people, but there were steady laughs the entire way through.  If you are easily disgusted/offended, don't stick around for the slideshow at the end.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  

7.5 out of 10

What I Love Right Now

Yes, I am still alive.  I've been really busy lately, mostly with moving and being under the weather with what I am convinced is the black plague.  But, updates are on the way.  Because you and I both know that this is the very best part of your day. 

Anyways, here are a few things that kept me thoroughly entertained during my prolonged sickness.

Bones - seriously, I had forgotten how much I freaking love this show.  Despite the fact that the show's creators have been jerking my emotions around for... what, like six seasons now... this is a great show right to the core.  But I'm not completely caught up so DON'T TELL ME if what I want to happen so badly actually happens.  I'm still like 10 episodes behind, so don't be a dick.  Snarky comments and subtle comedy plus MURHDAH equals a great time for all involved.

On the Road - I just reread this book, and it remains one of my favorites.  I was called pretentious the other day because I listed it as one of my favorite novels, but in all honesty it is.  And I don't understand how that makes me pretentious, but that's a different story for a different day.  The characters are unlike any others (especially Dean... oh how I love and loathe Dean) and the story of just being free and having fun with your friends while you figure out your life is something that, I believe, is timeless.  Plus, the fact that it is soon to be a movie (like this year, I believe... there was apparently an extended trailer played at Cannes) made me wanna reread so that it was completely fresh on my brain.

Reese Witherspoon - I can't really put a finger on why I love Reese Witherspoon so much, but I really do.  I don't think she's a spectacular actress.  Don't get me wrong, she is good and is very deserving of her Academy Award for her role in Walk the Line, but she has produced some serious crap in the past as well.  But I've always loved her, even if the movies she is in are garbage.  Maybe it's that sweet southern charm or the fact that she seems like a really down-to-earth, normal person.  I don't know what it is, but I love her.  She's on the brain because I've recently seen two more of her movies, whose reviews are coming shortly. 

South Park - I didn't think Trey Parker and Matt Stone could continue to offend even me, but they are doing it, and doing it so well.  Another thing I love right now:  how more and more cuss words are becoming acceptable on cable television.  That means less bleeping and more hilarity when 4th-graders say "shit" or "dick."  Because, let's face it, if South Park took place with teenagers, that shit wouldn't be funny at all.  But 4th graders on TV measuring their teeny tiny penises?  Fucking comic GOLD. 

Great new TV shows - Namely, The Killing and Game of Thrones.  Seriously, we have been blessed over the past year with fantastic new shows:  Boardwalk Empire, The Walking Dead, and now The Killing and Game of Thrones... there is so much to watch that it's hard to keep up with.  Admittedly, I'm not completely up to date on either one of them, but I'm loving every minute of it.  I love the originality that is coming to life, after seeing so much of the same crap on TV week after week. 

The Office - I guess I could call this something I hate as well as something I love.  I hate that Steve Carrell is gone.  But I loved "Goodbye, Michael," and have liked every episode since.  However, I don't think the show will survive for long without him.  Not because there aren't funny people on the show, but it's the same reason that I don't think Two and a Half Men will survive without Charlie Sheen.  Sure, Sheen is batshit crazy and Ashton Kutcher is funny and has proven that he is sitcom gold, but Sheen made his show just as Carrell made The Office.  But, as long as Jim and Pam are there, I will continue to watch.  I just hope they can keep coming up with storylines.