REVIEW: The Hangover: Part Two

The Hangover: Part Two
(out of 5)

So 'The Wolfpack' have returned for yet another 100 minutes of carnage and debauchery. Although this time they find themselves in trouble in a place way out of their comfort zone.

The story is pretty simple. Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married in Thailand, so the gang decide to take a trip, much to Alan's (Zach Galifianakis) excitement, to an island resort in the Gulf of Thailand. Things appear to be fairly normal until the boys, along with Stu’s fiancés’ younger brother Teddy, head down to the beach for a bonfire and beer.  Things rapidly change, as the next thing we know Stu, Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan awake in a room in Bangkok alongside Chow (Ken Jeong) from the first film and the chaos begins. I won’t tell you too much more about what  happens from there because that will only take away the excitement of going to see it.

What I can say is this. If you enjoyed the first Hangover you will undoubtedly enjoy the second. The storyline has been well crafted to hold your attention as it draws you in to make you feel as confused about the mess as much as the characters involved. However, as entertaining as this movie is, it’s certainly no masterpiece.

I have become a big fan of the phrase “Entertaining but forgettable” and unfortunately I am going to have to apply that phrase to this movie. Whilst there are plenty of laughs to be had, this movie isn’t exploring any new territory that wasn’t already chartered in the first. If you’re going to watch the film expecting to see a sequel that is totally fresh and different then you will probably come away highly disappointed. This is certainly not a movie that you’ll be thinking about for days afterwards, but instead one that will give you some good laughs, but most of which you will have forgotten about the following morning. No pun intended.

In someways it comes as no suprise that this film is basically the first taken to a different setting. Although this is the case, The Hangover: Part 2 is still thoroughly enjoyable and is still well worth the price of admission. Just don’t expect to come out feeling like you did when you saw The Matrix or Inception for the first time. But hey lets get real, we go see comedies to feel good and I think this film achieves that perfectly.

Plus...it’s pretty rare to see a movie where the entire theatre is literally laughing out loud.

By Hugh Collins

For more on The Hangover: Part Two be sure to pick up the next issue of Rip It Up as we talk to the cast on set in Thailand. The new issue of Rip It Up is in stores Tuesday 7th of June.