I know, I know, it came out almost a month ago. And yes I know, it’s already shattered every single expectation at both the box office (I think it’s almost at $175 million!) and with the critics. But to be so honest, I’ve been just insanely busy, and now have finally gotten around to writing my review for perhaps the funniest movie of the past few years. Yes, it was that good. I’ve seen The Hangover twice, and while I honestly can’t wait for the DVD to see it again and again, the memory of every little scene and quote is imprinted in me to this moment. The word of mouth for this movie is extraordinary, and for good reason. This comedy is unique, fall-on-the-floor hysterical, and just simplistic genius. So, how the heck did all that happen?
It’s a good question on how yet another movie about a bachelor party became one of the best comedies in some time. How did it become unique, how is it special? Well to put it quite easily, it’s not about the bachelor party at all. You see the four guys taking shots together, and that’s about it for male bonding. The rest is the most absurd yet creatively constructed wild chase you could imagine through vague memory. When I started seeing the heap of advertisements for this movie all over television, my initial thought was “eh, might be alright.” Then I did a bit of research and realized Todd Phillips directed it, who did Old School – a classic through and through – my eyebrows raised. Finally, I started hearing little rumblings here and there from critics and press that this movie has broken all standards or expectations in terms of laughs (and cash). I saw it, I loved it to death, and I’m here to tell you to see it.
The trio of Helms, Galifianakis, and Cooper are a mixture of comedy gold. (Warner Bros/aceshowbiz.com)
One of the most important things working for The Hangover is the beautiful dynamic between the three main characters: Stu (Ed Helms), Phil (Bradley Cooper), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis). Unlike Old School before it, which had stars like Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn, so you knew what you were getting, these three guys are “B-listers.” They aren’t unknowns, but when you look at a Bradley Cooper all you can think is – “that’s the guy from Wedding Crashers, right? He was hilarious!” The same with Ed Helms – The Office. Galifianakis has done stand-up for years and is the most relatively unknown of the group with movie appearances just here and there. But their chemistry together isn’t something you can force at all, it’s apparent these guy: a) like acting with each other, and b) are all on to bigger and better things because of their chemistry and now, success.
Each actor brings a certain brand of humor to the table too, which makes it refreshing. It’s not all dry humor, and it’s not all slapstick. Bradley Cooper is the controlled of the three, the leader, and his slip ups and distaste for married life are pretty understandable. One of the first lines you hear: “Hey, you’ve reached Phil, I’m not here so leave a message. And don’t send a text message, that’s just gay.” Ed Helms is the edgy, on a leash boyfriend, who eventually comes out of his element towards the end. If you’ve ever seen Helms on The Daily Show or The Office, you know his musical range, as well as his ability to nail each emotion with hilarity. Finally, perhaps the ultimate scene stealer, Galifianakis is absurd looking as he is ridiculous acting. Beeper service. Carlos the baby. Holocaust rings. Skittles in his satchel. The list of quotes goes on and on and on.
The cameos from other Todd Phillips flicks makes it that much funnier. (Warner Bros/aceshowbiz.com)
It’s hard to fit into a little review all the things I loved about The Hangover. But to touch on another one of the things that made it so great, perhaps just for “hardcore” comedy fans of late, are the cameos and appearances by certain characters and actors from Old School and other recent comedies. Sometimes, bringing back the goods work the second time around, and this is certainly the case. The doctor in the hospital was the golfer employee in Old School. The Jewish guy on the elevator getting uh, some work done by his lady friend (who is actually the director, Todd Phillips), was the same exact guy asking for a gang bang in Old School. Perhaps my favorite was The Dan Band – the “…I fucking need you now tonight, fucking need you more than ever!” band at the wedding in Old School that set that movie off with an absolute bang. In that one, they took Total Eclipse of the Heart to new levels of hilarity. In The Hangover, they take a 50-cent song to insanely good levels, and cap the movie off with seriously good results.
Again, it’s tough to express how great some 2-hour comedy can be. So many summer movies, not just comedies, are forgettable quite easily – not this one though, not in the slightest. This will without a doubt be the next movie that’s quoted over, and over, and over. It’s already the next instant classic. It was more than I expected and then some, with some lines being inaudible because of laughter from the audience going nuts. Lastly, please stay for the credits – incredible.
THE HANGOVER: 
(out of 4)
Filed under: Movie review | Tagged: blockbuster, bradley cooper, comedy, ed helms, las vegas, mike tyson, summer, the hangover, todd phillips, zach galifianakis
