The Hangover

I am quite sure that a lot and more has been written about what is considered by many as probably the best comedy movie made in the past decade – Circa 2000-09.  I watched Hangover once again a few days back because I had to check it out before reviewing one of the worst movies in a long time – Hangover 3.  Just to be sure if I had my expectations ill placed or not.

Hangover has been referred to by some as the Bourne Ultimatum of comedies.  After watching it for the second time, I am not so certain.  It is a decent comedy but not so good that you could watch it anytime of the year, month, week or day.  But then, no other pure comedy movie (excluding RomComs and Animations) was as good either.  Is that a great place to be? Not so sure.

 

The Wolf Pack – Alan (Zach Galifianakis), Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha) – is a name that Alan gives to the foursome because of some weird psycho dream he has since his demented childhood.  They decide to take a road trip to Vegas – the city that will soon burst with the sins that it holds in it.  The occasion is Doug’s bachelor party.

 

The pack gets into Vegas in Doug’s father-in-law’s Mercedes coupe and check into Ceaser’s Palace.  The party begins at a reasonable time on the terrace and a minute or two later we cut to a hotel room that is a mess.  Other than the body count, there is a pair of hot legs that leaves the room, chicken that’s running around and a Tiger (yes – live full grown tiger) in the bathroom.  And – Doug is missing. What happened?

 

The story of The Hangover is for quite a few of us men – a dream that we have always had and dreaded for it to come true.  So obviously, we will relate to it and on that note, I think full credit is due to Todd Phillips for writing it.  The build-up is superb and one is always left wanting to understand what is going to happen next.  Just as one twist is solved a next pops up keeping you always in the game.

 

However, if you watch it again you will find that the humour is largely contrived and centres around Zach Galifianakis and his irritating antics – or should I say behavior.  It is not something that one can tolerate for too long or too often.  The performances from most of the cast are average at best including the otherwise vastly talented Bradley Cooper.  The screenplay is superb but the dialogues are pedestrian.

 

Unfortunately for hangover, the joy lasts only upto the end of the movie.  It doesn’t at any time build into a classic that you will enjoy every time that you watch it.  I am reminded of a close friend who recommended that I reserve one point always for longevity / timelessness.  And that’s where I believe Hangover falls short.  It is brilliant the first time around but not as great when you watch it over again. 7 on 10.

 

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2105934361/?ref_=tt_ov_vi