The Hangover
Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures
R
100 Minutes
2009
Word of mouth can make or break a movie. All the studio-generated hype in the world isn't as effective as positive words from the people who pay for a ticket to the theater. Oftentimes, it can work against the film - creating unrealistic expectations in the minds of the patrons who end up leaving disappointed. Such was the case with last year's Tropic Thunder, which was heralded as a comedy classic right out of the gate but was really little more than Ben Stiller playing his usual clueless character in an army outfit. Robert Downey, Jr.'s remarkable performance was the biggest reason to see the film, but aside from some great fake previews early on, I don't recall laughing uproariously - which is what any good comedy should make you do.
In the case of The Hangover, however, believe the hype. This is undoubtedly the funniest film since 2007's Superbad; a film that will have you wracked with laughter from start to finish, tears streaming down your cheeks, and gasping for air.
The premise is simple: three friends plan an extravagant Vegas bachelor party for their soon-to-be-wed friend Doug (Justin Bartha). After an incredible night, they wake up in a trashed hotel villa with a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet, and Doug missing. As they struggle to retrace their steps and find their friend in time to get him home for his wedding, they discover that Phil (Bradley Cooper) was in the hospital, Stu (Ed Helms of The Daily Show and The Office) married a Vegas stripper, and they've royally pissed off an effeminate Asian gambler (Ken Jeong, in another hysterical small role) along with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
It sounds crazy, and it is, but that's what makes The Hangover so utterly successful. It takes the notorious debauchery of Las Vegas to a whole new level, and it's practically a laugh-a-second comedy. Nearly every line is at least chuckle-worthy, but this movie has some of the best setups and jokes since 2005's raunchy instant classic The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
Helms is positively hilarious as he tries to conceal the purpose of his trip to his longtime girlfriend, played by comedienne Rachael Harris, but gradually becomes more hysterical and irate as the situation continues to devolve. Cooper does a fine job playing the straight man. With his suave good looks and cool-headed demeanor, he anchors the cast perfectly, but it's stand-up comic Zach Galifianakis as Doug's new brother-in-law Allen who steals the show with his flawless timing and simplistic delivery.
Galifianakis is one of the undiscovered gems of the comedy world. He's built a loyal fanbase, but this might just be the movie that introduced him to the rest of the world. Practically every time he opened his mouth, the theater erupted into fits of laughter. He delivers his lines with such naivete and innocence, as though he is the only person in the world who doesn't know how dumb he really is.
Also noteworthy is the cameo appearance by Mike Tyson, playing himself. We've all seen celebrity cameos in movies, particularly in comedies, but what makes Tyson's appearance in The Hangover so unique is the way he is actually integrated into the story. This isn't some quick blink-and-you'll-miss-it walk on; he actually has several minutes of screen time, a few hilarious lines, and is an integral part of the group's attempts to piece together the events of the previous night.
One thing The Hangover is not is bashful or subtle. This is an exceedingly raunchy comedy where nudity, both male and female, is just as prevalent as vulgar language, and it leaves nothing to the imagination. Be prepared to get an eyeful on several occasions. Some viewers may think it goes too far, but in truth arguably the film's funniest moment involves a naked fight scene. It's nothing along the lines of Borat's (in)famous nude fight, but it's the type of over-the-top, hysterically funny moment that will have you laughing at the memory of it 10 minutes later.
At only 100 minutes, The Hangover is just the right length, though I did notice several lines of dialogue from the film's trailers and TV spots were absent in the final product - leading to a likely extended, unrated cut on the eventual DVD/Blu-ray release. You never miss them even if you notice they're gone because the movie is so crammed full of laughs as it is. Unlike the condition it's named after, this is a hangover you will want to experience again and again.
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