The Hangover 2 Review

The last time you saw the Wolf Pack, they were in Las Vegas, trying to piece together the events that led to the disappearance of the groom-to-be. Their misadventures led to a strengthening of bonds, and they assured each other of one certainty - never again would they repeat the events of the night that they cannot remember.

2 years later, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) still has all the photographs of that night, but that is not important. What is important is that in The Hangover Part II, Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married to the woman of his dreams, Lauren (Jamie Chung), in Thailand, and he wants his best friends, Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Doug (Justin Bartha), to be there. To be absolutely sure that there are no more 'accidents', Stu decides that a brunch at an IHOP, a harmless, non-alcoholic pancakes-and-breakfast joint, is a good enough bachelor party.

What Stu cannot, and does not anticipate, is the presence of Doug's brother-in-law, Alan, the man responsible for the near-catastrophe that the Las Vegas stag night had become. They all set off to a resort in Thailand, hoping to get through the function without any glitches. Mayhem sneaks in the next morning, when Alan, Phil and Stu wake up the next morning in a rundown hotel in Bangkok. They spend the whole day retracing their steps as they look for clues to the events that led them here in the first place.

From getting shot at, to kidnapping a drug-dealing monkey, and discovering some not-so-pleasant truths about Stu's obsession with prostitutes, the trio experiences a lifetime of Bangkok in one day.

Unlike the previous movie, The Hangover Part II has no surprises. The characters are predictable, and their dilemmas no longer seem extraordinary. What is surprising, however, is that the movie is still hilarious, and at no point does any ridiculous predicament seem too strained. The situations are fresh, and although you know that things will be all right in the end, you still cheer these 3 friends on, and laugh at all their witty lines.

Bradley Cooper is a dream to watch, with his unconventional charisma and mesmerizing voice. He is clearly the leader of the group, yet still retains the same charm that he displayed in The Hangover. Zach Galifianakis reprises his role as the socially-inept Alan, who is inevitably responsible for all the goof-ups. Ed Helms seems more mature after the first movie, and has more responsibility. The chemistry among these 3 men is electrifying.

Mason Lee, son of director Ang Lee, makes his debut in this film, and does a decent job of playing a sweet young kid whose father dotes on him. Jamie Chung and Jeffrey Tambor have short roles, but it is Ken Leong who dominates the screen.

In keeping with tradition, the end credits roll with a series of photographs that chronicles the night's adventure. This is by far the best part of the movie.

Overall, this is a guy-flick, and worth at least one watch, for the absurdity that follows these 3 men wherever they go.