The Hangover Part II

Review by Anthony Morris

In an age of trilogies and long‑running movie sagas, it's easy to forget the basic rule of sequels : just get everyone back together and make the exact same movie all over again.

Fortunately for fans of the original The Hangover, this is a rule director Todd Phillips and company keep firmly in mind as all your favourites from the first film reunite in the most tenuous of circumstances to, well, do it all over again.

Big difference this time is, The Wolf Pack in Bangkok - which, if this film is any guide, is the sleaziest, deadliest, most comedy monkey‑filled place on Earth.

As well as the same cast and plot (three buddies try to piece together a wild night of debauchery they don't remember), this retains the first film's willingness to push things well past many viewers comfort level.

Drugs are taken, fingers are severed, genitals are swinging in the breeze; they're in Thailand after all, so ladyboys are going to show up eventually.

Second time around it's all not quite as shocking or as funny, but it does give events the required seediness and danger.

More importantly, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper provide enough charm and comedy chops to turn a trio of firmly unlikeable characters into people you can pretty much tolerate for 100 minutes.

The story's merely going through the motions, but they at least give their all to make this particular hangover (just about) worth suffering through.

3.5 out of 5

The Hangover Part II
Australian release: 11th June, 2011
Official Site: The Hangover Part II
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, Jeffrey Tambor
Director: Todd Phillips