The much anticipated The Hangover comedy sequel, The Hangover… wait for it… Part II has finally arrived and feels so much like the first one, that the only thing that’s really changed is the location, groom-to-be and movie title. So in keeping with the movie’s formula for success… we just updated The Hangover movie review with significant changes in red.

The Hangover Part II is the ultimate bachelor party, wedding jitters, road trip splurge in Bangkok. This is a guy’s movie that toes the line with raunchy humour from screenwriters Craig Mazin, Scot Armstrong and Todd Phillips, director of Due Date. You’ve got the comedy and camaraderie of City Slickers shared between Stu (Ed Helms), the groom-to-be and his three groomsmen: Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha).

If you loved it when Ferris took a day off school and howled when the Superbad crew hooked up with the police, then The Hangover Part II is what you’ve been waiting for. Dirty jokes, Mike Tyson singing, a monkey with a penis-infatuation and what can only be described as a hotel room scene from The Beach are what The Hangover Part II’s all about. It could very well be the stuff of YouTube with the troupe of merry men hailing from all corners of Hollywood.

“We’ve only just begun, White lace and promises…”

You’ll recognise Zach Galifianakis as the bearded guy who shared a hot tub with a topless Victoria Silvstedt from Out Cold, Justin Bartha as the cheeky sidekick from The Rebound, Ed Helms who plays Andy from US edition of The Office and Bradley Cooper, the good-looking guy from Limitless, who had plenty of hands-on experience with Scarlett Johannson in He’s Just Not That Into You.

So Stu’s getting married, and his posse are going to send him off into marriage leaving no stone unturned. At least that was the plan, until they lost his future brother-in-law and prodigy, Teddy. Now the three amigos are hanging badly, have unknowingly trashed a night club, started a riot and have a monkey on their backs… no not a cocaine metaphor, a monkey. The drunkards slowly retrace their steps across Bangkok, recovering lost memories from their fuzzy escapade through witnesses, clues and visions. Strip joints, tattoo parlors, monasteries… it’s like they’ve been everywhere.

The comedy is raunchy like Old School, as The Hangover Part II takes a page or two from Very Bad Things on what not to do in Bangkok. This is a misadventure story that will change everything in one night of debauched childishness. The truth is that they just can’t handle Bangkok… as we keep getting reminded in an echoing refrain reminiscent of the famous “Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown”.

The performances from the original Hangover posse are genuinely funny and they have the sort of history that guys would only have after actually having such a misadventure. Galifianakis must be Seth Rogen and Jack Black’s lovechild… he’s clueless and seemingly innocent for an asshole. Then you’ve got Ed Helms, who’s best described as a mixture of Daniel Stern of (Very Bad Things/City Slickers) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse… you know, Fogell/McLovin from Superbad.

“Akela, we are your faithful Wolf Pack… AWWOOOH!!!”

While Bradley Cooper has a Will Arnett look about him and plays it cool as handsome Phil, the smooth “Faceman” operator of the four ball. Phillips keeps a lid on things so that it all stays within the realm of possibility, while the mystery and wedding deadline loom on the horizon. However, The Hangover Part II takes this to the next level with mild action, plenty of Bangkok night life “ping-pong” adventure and a clever script that does well to conceal blemishes. There are several plot holes, but the camaraderie and comedy smooth things over with just the right balance of guy humour.

Sorry ladies, but The Hangover Part II is to guys what Sex in the City is to girls… one you’d best skip or use as a credit or two to appease your significant other. This is definitely not about the wedding… there are suits, wedding speeches and dresses, but this is about one wild, vulgar and offensive night in reverse. Remember Buying the Cow, throw Bangkok in there and you’ve got yourself The Hangover Part II, which probably has another sequel in the pipeline.

Picking up the pieces and discovering wicked, weird and wonderful happenings is all part of the ride. Be sure to catch the end credits as the boys flip through some mobile photos from their crazy bachelors night out… definitely not for the faint-hearted. All in all, it’s a great movie for a boys night out complete with tips on what to do or not to do on your next bachelors. For most guys, it’s a movie that you’ll probably watch again… and again.

The bottom line: Hilarious.

P.S. Yes, Part II should lose a point or two for being formulaic – but hey it works and they deserve an extra point for all the on-location shooting. C’MON!

Release Date: 27 May, 2011
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