Anyone who has watched sequels, knows that they all suffer from one univer-
sal, inevitable problem- comparison to the original. Especially if the original was out-
standing and enjoyable enough to maybe see it again. There are always various types,
some falling into only two classifications. Good or bad. The Hangover II, thankfully
falls most decidedly into the former.
Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Stu (Ed helms) are back in
full force as the misadventurous wolfpack who, no matter where they go apparently, ei-
ther find trouble or trouble finds them. We know this in the first few minutes when Phil
is making another stressed out phone call on some roof. It’s the prelude for another wild
and crazy ride. And with director Todd Phillips at the helm once more, our hapless trio
make Las Vegas look like a Sunday School picnic. Especially Stu. Ken Jeong is back as
their highly strung foil Chow and even their old friend Mike Tyson makes a surprise
reappearance.
Bangkok, Thailand provides the back drop this round as the overanxious Stu is a-
bout to marry into a prominent Asian family. From the start, there’s absolutely no way
he’s taking any chances for even the slightest screw up. It’s one week before the wedding,
so he’s taken every precaution from having a “bachelor party” at IHOP and excluding a
certain member of the wolfpack from the ceremony. However, through some gentle per-
suasion via Phil and Hangover one victim Doug, Stu grudgingly relents. They’re off to
the land of smiles.
Once settled, there’s the usual awkward pre wedding parties and the gathering
and meeting of fiance’ Lauren’s (Sucker Punch’s Jamie Chung) friends and relatives. In-
cluding of course her father whom you soon realize is the Thai counterpart of Meet the
Parents’ Jack Byrnes.
When Lauren convinces her hubby-to-be to take a load off and have a good
time with his friends and her young brother Teddy before the big day, Stu is keenly re-
luctant. She persuades him otherwise and they head to the beach for one drink. It’s one
drink too many. Phil, Alan and Stu awake sometime later in some room in Bangkok
completely befuddled. Chow is there too and Teddy is missing. Here we go again.
I won’t spoil the ending for the first Hangover, but the solution is not as simple
this time as our boys shift to frantic mode trying to figure out what happened. Phil is the
practical anchor once more, looking for clues while Stu gets upset about a certain tattoo.
Alan furnishes the usual laugh out loud humor and Chow acts crazy, yet knows more a-
bout what transpired than anyone else.
Guided by a lively script that wastes no time, director Todd and cinematographer
Lawrence Sher transport Phil, Stu and Alan from the majestic beauty of Lauren’s lakeside
home to the alluring, shadowy squalor of a city where, if you’re asking around, looking
for someone and can’t find them, the common response from most is “Bangkok’s got
him.” This may give some (including yours truly) a chilling feeling if you plan a visit.
Of course it’s not all hyper kinetic. There are a few lighthearted scenes to help
you catch your breath until the inevitable outcome.; most notably, a boatride where Stu
does a special rendition of Billy Joel’s “Allentown.” It’s simply hilarious how he changes
the lyrics to fit the situation.
Phillips has done something every director should be modestly proud of.
He has actually helmed a sequel just as good, if not better than the original. Nothing
is more frustrating to fans of a hit film than to have it’s follow up be a total dud and
therefore killing a potentially good franchise. The Hangover just may have an exten-
ded shelf life, if Phillips and his three major players can always up the ante.