The Hangover Part II (2011) * 1/2

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifiankis, Ken Jeong, Justin Bartha


Other than the fact that 2009's The Hangover was a surprise smash, I can think of no other reason to have this sequel. The Hangover was a raunchy comedy that had a pretty decent amount of laughs and a plot which I actually found myself caring about.  It was a self-contained piece that really didn't require a sequel because there was no more real story to be told.  The sequel is just a retread of the original, with the action moved to Thailand instead of Vegas and contains zero laughs.  There are some interchangeable parts, but the ideas are the same, only much less effective this time around.

I was surprised by the lack of energy Part II exuded. I'd have to think it's because the actors and crew sensed deja vu and figured that if the script went by rote, then why not us?  Perhaps because the Thailand of this movie is significantly less scenic than Vegas. Or perhaps because the plot is one that just can't really be cared about.    The first Hangover worked because it was interesting to watch the befuddled guys try and piece together what happened to them with very few clues to go on.   It was fun to watch the misunderstandings and calamities unfold.   In Part II, the same unfolding of surprises just meant that I would have to sit in the seat a little while longer while the crew looks for an ultimately minor character.     I had a lot less caring in me this time around.  

I got pretty much what I expected out of Hangover Part II, except laughs. The film contains zero laughs, even in the gross-out scenes and even in the scenes in which Zach Galifianakis tries to behave even weirder than in the first Hangover.   Call me humorless and call me whatever you like, but don't call me if there's a Hangover III.