The Hangover 2

The thing about a hugely successful movie is that from a commercial perspective, a sequel is in order.  The ingredients of a successful sequel – and you are well aware of my thoughts on that – include the same director and largely the same cast.  That condition definitely checks all boxes for Hangover 2.

However, only the necessary condition is fulfilled by doing this.  The sufficient conditions are equally important if not more. Sadly, Hangover 2 fails on all the “sufficient” condition.  Those who buy the DVD with the first part in mind are in for a significant disappointment.

 

Why does Hangover 2 flatter to deceive? Lets start off with the story.  My question to Todd Phillips would be – Why does the story have to be identical to the first part? Do not misunderstand my use of words.  Hangover 2 is not similar to the first part.  It is identical even in the manner in which the Wolf Pack finally finds who they have lost this time.

 

One may argue that the location has changed from a place in the Americas where what happens there stays there to one in South East Asia (read Thailand).  One may also argue that this time around Doug (Justin Bartha) doesn’t get lost.  Instead it is Stu’s (Ed Helm) brother-in-law to be, a sixteen year old Teddy (Mason Lee).

 

Yet again, The Wolf Pack has no recollection of what happened the previous night and yet again the person responsible for it is Alan (Zach Galifianakis).  Yet again, there is an animal involved but this time it is a Cappuchin Monkey which helps drug dealers and smokes like a chimney.

 

Regrettably, Todd Phillips doesn’t at any point of time, make any attempt whatsoever to make a change for the better.  Maybe his thought process was, “When something is good, why you want to fix it”.  Fair thought Mr. Phillips but in the entertainment world, something has to change else it gets boring.

 

So, in a nutshell, what does the movie in is the predictability.  You know in about 10 minutes that a comedy of errors is going to follow with a happy ending.  The irritability of Zach Galifianakis and the yet again average performances don’t help either.  I had missed Hangover 2 at release.  In hindsight, I didn’t miss much.  5 on 10.

 

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2196348185/?ref_=tt_ov_vi