The Hangover Part II
Reviewed by Tony Phan on May 29, 2011
Roadshow Films presents a film directed by Todd Phillips
Screenplay by Craig Mazin, Scott Armstrong and Todd Phillips
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Mason Lee, Ken Jeong and Paul Giamatti
Running Time: 102 minutes
Rating: MA15+
Released: May 26, 2011

6/10

This sequel picks up where The Hangover left off. Stu (Ed Helms) is set to marry his fiancée Lauren (Jamie Chung, Amber from Sucker Punch) by the shores of a paradisal Thai island. He holds a boring bachelor brunch in a US diner, much to the frustration of his friend Phil (Bradley Cooper). Once in Thai island territory, however, the Wolf Pack consisting of Stu, Phil and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) decide to hold a bachelor get-together on the beach, along with Lauren's younger brother Teddy (Mason Lee). With Alan and his drugs around, things are always bound to get out of hand.

The Hangover Part II follows the basic narrative formula of the first film. 'It's happened again,' Phil guiltily admits to Tracy (Sasha Barrese) on the phone in the opening scene. This time, it's Teddy who is missing on the morning of the wedding day. Against a soundtrack that reeks of Kanye West and Wolfmother, we are then served with flashbacks of the Pack's misdeeds as they bring themselves one step closer to finding Teddy. Somewhere in the middle of the film, Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) jumps out of an icebox and attacks the Pack and Stu sings a random song during a random moment. Miraculously, and incomprehensively, Stu manages to piece all the clues together to locate Teddy, before resuming his cross-cultural wedding – been there, done that. Although this re-churning of narrative is probably meant to convey a sense of humorous self-awareness, it highlights the film's predictability and ridiculousness.

So, what new and exciting surprises are there in this instalment? Well, Paul Giamatti's cameo as Kingsley, an Interpol detective in disguise, is warmly welcomed. Also, funnily enough, Mike Tyson still manages to make a cameo as Stu's wedding singer with a very pitchy rendition of 'One Night In Bangkok.'

The highlights of the film definitely include Ken Jeong as the nasal Mr. Chow. With his peculiar sense of humour, he easily steals the limelight from the majority of the cast members. The next time someone mentions Bangkok, don't be surprised if someone else chimes in with, 'Hola! City of squala!' Also, Galifianakis is very likeable as the hypersensitive, clueless Alan. Pronouncing Thailand as 'Thigh-land,' and believing transsexualism to be a 'magic trick,' his child-like ways are enough to make anyone want to adopt him. And one can't help but think to oneself, 'C'mon! Use your Limitless skills!' when Cooper, as Phil, struggles to hatch up genius plans.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Hangover film without controversial humour (one particular photo in the credits, in particular, is causing a bit of an outrage). If you're an ultra- conservative Buddhist or an extreme animal welfare activist, steer clear of this film. A monkey sipping from a bottle placed over a monk's crotch is funny in any language, although it may offend some people. Also, the fact that this monkey deals drugs and smokes may enrage the RSPCA, even if it is cutely depicted in Tarantino-style black-and-white freeze frames. But animal-lovers need not worry. The monkey finds a nice home at a local veterinary clinic.

Overall, The Hangover Part II isn't a total disappointment, though it would probably be much funnier accompanied by DVD commentary voice-overs provided by the Wolf Pack actors and Ken Jeong. Let's just cross our fingers and hope that the third instalment won't be as familiar as this one. And please, no Mike Tyson musical numbers for the next film. My ears are still recovering.