DVD REVIEW: THE HANGOVER PART II

4/5

Just Another One Of Those Nights.

15, 102 Minutes. Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung, Paul Giamatti & Crystal (The Monkey). Director: Todd Phillips. Screenplay: Todd Phillips, Scot Armstrong & Craig Mazin

You know those nights you don't forget? The ones where you have a little too much, blame it on the alcohol like Jamie Foxx and swear you'll never drink again? We've all been there (well except monks and me (I don't drink)) but never like this. Never like Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis or Phil, Stu and Alan. I mean these guys go hard. Haven't they learnt from Vegas (In the classic 'The Hangover' movie) they lose friends, alienate themselves, steal tigers, get in to it with Iron Mike Tyson...I mean c'mon now. Bachelor parties are definitely these guys forte...but all in the wrong way. I mean these guys and weddings go as well together as Ross from 'Friends'.

Now these guys are in Thailand celebrating Stu's wedding (to the beautiful Jamie Chung) and you would have thought they would have learnt right...WRONG! There they are losing people again a day before the wedding, all whilst getting into even more trouble, kidnapping more animals, scarring themselves, and doing worse things then they did with a baby, all whilst creating one hell of a Facebook album, but hey at least this time they don't lose Doug! Isn't it always the case, you swear you'll never let yourself get in a state like this again and then you go and make things even worse?

Or better in this case as 'The Hangover Part II' really pulls out all the stops and pops the cork on better action-set pieces, visuals and music...I think these guys like themselves some Kanye West. Speaking of 'Ye, on this films trailer Mr. West's 'Dark Fantasy' plays asking, "Can we get much higher"? Boy do they from more excitement, laughs and gross-out nudity that you could shake a....no that's not a good reference-these boys go big in Bangkok. With blackmailing criminals, the cutest monkey mules and disapproving father-in-laws all these problems for the hungover pals could cause a real headache plot-wise. Still thanks to Phillips perfect mix of comedy, action and detective esque themes this film-like the first-succeeds and keep this 'highest grossing R rated film' ever vehicle going like Mr. Chow was behind the wheel (he may just be the best plus ones ever).

Sure Bill Clinton, Mel Gibson and Liam Neeson may not have made this night out but with the charming, classy Cooper the hilarious Helms and the genius of Galifianakis who else do you need? Plus with some cameos from some old friends and foes no other company is required. This movie called 'Very Bad Trip 2' in some countries really is one of the best journeys you'll take in the cinema all year. Sure it's got nothing on the first one but it was never supposed to. This film follows the formula of the fantastic first and although in many sequel cases this usually means that ideas are thin, in this movie however it works. From the rooftops to that phone-call it all blends together perfectly, working so well. Reprising the fans favourite, familiar elements from the first and bringing them into this story throws up the theme of drunk people making the same mistakes all over again. Still as these mistakes come correct this movie does the right thing, back up to it's old tricks. This is one of those 'yet again' hangovers that actually feels good and is welcome. Now you can drink to that. TIM DAVID HARVEY.