The Hangover Part 2 is one of the most daring film ploys in recent memory. The film’s plot isn’t so much daring, as it contains nothing out of the ordinary – but the marketing and script techniques behind the film is beyond comprehension.

Todd Phillip’s follow-up is a near carbon copy of the beloved original. I’m not exaggerating. The plot is laid out nearly identical to the first film: a wild bachelor party we don’t see, but hear of – next morning they wake up where an animal of some sort as come into their holding grounds, with at least one person obtaining something obscure (a tattoo on someones face ) – then the wolfpack suddenly realizes they’ve lost someone from last night (like the first film, it’s the person who’s the most responsible and least expected to get himself into trouble) – then the hunt is on to find the missing person before the wedding beings, with of course wild antics ensuing throughout the group’s adventure – eventually the friends find the missing person – and ultimately driving full throttle in a speed boat, crash the wedding in a late, fashionable style.

This feels like a test set up by marketers to see how modern day audiences will perceive a sequel that’s nearly the original – except half as funny and twice as dumb.

The Hangover Part II isn’t all that bad, as it is tired. Sure, the comedic script is always present, but by about hour two the film morphs from entertaining to dragging – and desperate to boot.

One significant change to the first film is that the setting has alternated from Las Vegas to Thailand. But you wouldn’t be able to tell from the English being spoken by every character.

But why be nitpicky?

The Hangover Part II is considerably funny and contains a brilliant opening 20 minutes. Sure, the film goes downhill soon after – but like most things in life, there’s an upside: the actors are entertaining, even when the script drags them through dribbling, irreverent antics.

Zach Galifianakis (far left), Bradley Cooper (left), Just Bartha (center), and Ed Helms (right) star in the long anticipated sequel, "The Hangover Part II"

Zach Galifianakis is wildly comedic – he gives his bizarre and often mysterious personality some nuance, while playing it with a straight face. Bradley Cooper is the lead man and he’s likable enough to get us involved in the story from time to time. And Ed Helms rounds-out the wolfpack, adding charisma and comedy to all of his scenes (though on a further recommendation you should see Helms play the lead character in Cedar Rapids, one of the best films this year).

After writing for the past year and a half I’ve learned my fair share of lessons when it comes to movies like “The Hangover Part II” or “Thor”: no matter how much I exploit and pan the film, tickets will still be purchased, money will still be earned for the respective studios, and some audiences will still be pleased with the product they paid for.

I can’t tell whether Todd Phillips has simply ran out of fresh material, or he thought it would be a match made in heaven to copy the original film’s formula. To say the least, The Hangover II is not so much a misfire, as it is disappointment. The script doesn’t hold up, the plot stretches to a point of desperation, and the juvenile behavior gets old. Still, despite the flaws, it’s an enjoyable, though periodically unsatisfying film. Bangkok is shot beautifully and the laughs come in spades.

However by the end of the film you can’t help but wonder why Phillips and company didn’t stay true to their slogan: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Rating:

The Hangover Part II (2011)

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis

Director: Todd Phillips

Writer: Scott Moore , Jon Lucas

Runtime: 102 minutes

Genre: comedy

Trailer The Hangover Part II

by CinemaRx