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The Wolf Pack is indeed back. Unfortunately, the originality of their first foray into super drunken and super funny territory does not return along with them. In what goes down as a note-for-note retread of 2009’s The Hangover, director Todd Phillips (also returning behind the camera) dupes fans of the original into thinking there is something new to experience by slapping a ‘Part Two’ onto the end of this film. With little surprises and a familiar storyline that tops itself only in its own general grossness and absurd meanness, The Hangover Part II disappoints because its aim is so incredibly low and the message from the studio so obviously transparent: we want your money.
Focusing on the upcoming marriage of Stu (Ed Helms) to his Asian honey, Lauren (Jamie Chung), The Hangover Part II sees the Wolf Pack - Phil (Bradley Cooper), Doug (Justin Bartha) and wacky Alan (Zach Galifianakis) - reuniting for a trip, not to Vegas (one of the only differences), but to Bangkok for another round of pre-marriage celebrating. Waking up, nearly a full day later, the group discovers – while Doug rests peacefully in his hotel room this time – that Lauren's little brother, Teddy (Mason Lee), is gone (along with his finger) and Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong) might be the only one to (maybe) help them remember exactly what has happened to him. Yes, they check the roof first this time. The rest of the film’s second verse – although slightly edgier and grittier in its chorus – is the same as the first verse.
The Hangover Part II doesn’t work because it feels so entirely forced from script to actor. There is no spontaneity in its bones. I’m not going to sit here and tell you it isn’t funny at times, but anyone expecting something different or more from the actors and the story and the director are simply wasting their time in line. No expectations can be satisfied here – which is a shame – because the love for the original film is somewhat diminished by this simple retread.
The original worked because of its novel concept; one of simplicity made compacted by the circumstances surrounding it. Here, the same concept is employed but with all too familiar results. Instead of a tooth, Stu gets a face tattoo. Instead of Doug being the missing person, it’s Teddy. The characters are the same, yet the result of their sameness has Stu embracing his “inner demon” and exploits Alan’s quirkiness a bit more than before. So, you see, the only real differences between the two films lie in how far the plundering of characters goes.
And Phillips doesn’t hold back. Prepare to be grossed out.
Neither does the story. Monkeys are crotch-obsessed animals. Strip clubs reveal super uncomfortable discussions. And our characters treat everyone like dirt. Yet, even if we take into consideration its differences, the film feels completely flat. The surrealism is gone. The intelligence of the humor is also gone. All we are left with are memories of the first. In fact, the script – written by Phillips, Craig Mazin, and Scot Armstrong - is so obviously sketched from the original 2009 film that one can set a watch to its beats. Yes, it’s that familiar. The ending is loopy and a lot of the set-up doesn’t make any sense; this is a rental at best.
The writers don’t seem to care. You shouldn’t either. Although, most of you will find something to appreciate in this remake…because that’s what it is. It’s truly a sad day when the best surprise comedy in the last three years gets sidelined by a sequel that has no interest in giving its audience any surprises. For The Hangover Part II, it’s déjà vu all over again.
If anything, this film’s frustrating result will drive you to drink.
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images.
