The Hangover

Review by Sean Lynch

A few years back there were rumours of a sequel to Dude, Where's My Car? floating about.

It was an idea which was met with about as much excitement as there was for a potential comeback from Tori Spelling.

So it's actually quite surprising to see how much fanfare, box office moola and "this is the next generation of comedy" buzz The Hangover has received.

Because, without question, The Hangover is the Dude, Where's My Car? for the middle aged man.

It is exactly what a sequel to the cult stoner comedy would have been... minus the "Zoltan".

Todd Phillips, director of Old School, returns to the Box Office big leagues after a series of duds (Starsky & Hutch, School For Scoundrels) with a new comedy about a bachelor party which goes horribly, horribly wrong.

Two days before his wedding, Doug (aka. that annoying "is he gay or just feminine" sidekick guy from National Treasure) and his three buddies drive to Vegas for a blow-out night they will never forget.

But when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning with pounding headaches, a trashed hotel suite, missing teeth, missing pants, missing groom - and a tiger in the toilet - it soon becomes apparent they can't remember a thing.

With no clue of what happened and little time to spare, the trio must attempt to retrace their bad decisions from the night before in order to figure out where things went wrong, and get Doug back in time for his wedding.

Look, this puppy ain't perfect - but there is a lot of fun to be had here.

While it's not exactly the "second coming of comedy genius" that many claim it to be - its pretty damn hard not to get swept up in the momentum and energy of it all.

There are some classic moments on offer, but there is something about promoting it's cast of "B-Team" actors to lead roles that never quites sits right.

Cooper and Helms are excellent, no doubt about it (in fact Bradley Cooper is already in talks to lead the A-Team movie), but at this point in time they have a certain lack of... how the French say... "something"... about them.

It's kind of like asking fans of Scrubs to watch episodes containing only "B-Team" characters Ted, The Janitor and The Todd.

Yes - they may have their moments... but do they really have the charm and star quality to steer the entire ship? Hmmm, perhaps not.

That said, The Hangover is responsible for introducing the mainstream world to one of the most unique comedic actors to hit the screen in years - Zach Galifianakis.

A veteran on the American stand-up comedy scene (the "comedian's comedian" if you will) the uber-bearded Galifianakis is captivating here. Every single subtle nuance of his comic timing lures you in, he is the "Anti - Jack Black" and shines in every flicker of screen time.

A genuinely fun distraction for anyone who has ever promised themselves "to never drink again" - but more than anything else - The Hangover is the birthplace of Zach Galifianakis, cinematic comedy history's next big thing.

3.5 out of 5

The Hangover
Australian release: 11th June, 2009
Official Site: The Hangover
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, Jeffrey Tambor
Director: Todd Phillips