I think I’m in the minority when I say that I didn’t completely hate Hangover II. It’s certainly the weakest of the three but I still enjoyed it a lot. I think now I have an even greater appreciation for it as a lot of jokes in the third are only funny because of the second film. In fact one of my favorite jokes from the third only works if you have seen the second. I was asked right after I saw The Hangover Part III if it was the best one; I’m not sure it’s the best but I would argue that it’s at least as good as the original. This takes all of the shock and awe of the first two and throws it all into a completely new story. I can just hear people complaining though, “It’s called The HANGOVER! No one gets drunk in this one!” It’s just a title people, let it go.
The Wolfpack is back for one last round of stupidity and, unfortunately, more male nudity. It’s odd really, you find yourself wondering when it (the nudity) will happen rather than hoping it doesn’t. I guess by the third film you should know that it’s going to happen at some point and hoping otherwise is a waste of energy. This time around we see the pack going through a rough time when Alan’s dad suddenly dies of a heart attack. Doug talks to the others and tells them that Alan is unstable and off his meds. Doug comes up with the idea of taking Alan to a mental health treatment center in Arizona, but the only way he would do it is if the whole Wolfpack is involved. In a very awkward but hilarious intervention they convince Alan to go and the adventure begins. No wedding, no bachelor party, what could possibly go wrong? Try everything…
On the way to the center the Pack is run off the road and forced into finding their old “friend” Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong), who has stolen a very large sum in gold bars from a very dangerous gangster named Marshall (John Goodman). They kidnap Doug as insurance and so the others must face the hell that is Chow in order to keep Doug alive. This features both new and familiar faces from every Hangover film. Black Doug is back, Stu’s former stripper wife Jade is back and even a former baby who may or may not have been found in a closet is back. This has a lot of heart to it showcasing the history of The Wolfpack and all that they have been put through, mostly because of Alan.
I would say my biggest complaint about this is the run time, it felt like it was ending before it even started. It finished things up nicely and concluded their final story well enough, but it just felt hurried at times. This is really a small complaint and in the end the movie came out hilarious and dark as ever. This time rather than one single location the characters go all over from Las Vegas to Tijuana, Mexico. It’s a road trip film with elements of hell thrown in to make one messed up journey. Todd Phillips returns to the director’s chair, not much else to say about that really, I feel as though the magic of these films comes from the actors more than anything. Todd Phillips may have helped in writing the script but without Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Ken Jeong this franchise wouldn’t have seen a life passed the first film. The first would not have become the highest grossing R rated comedy of all time beating out Beverley Hills Cop 2, which held the title for about 25 years. That being said I guess I should give credit where credit is due because without Phillips the characters wouldn’t be around for these awesome actors to bring their magic to the screen.
You have to appreciate (I do at least) a film that makes you think, “I can’t wait to see this again with, insert name here; this person(s) will love it!” I plan on seeing this again, if only to do so with friends and see their reactions as they watch the malarkey on the screen. It’s foul mouthed, dirty as ever, completely ridiculous and totally worth the time to see it. One thing I noticed in the credits, at one point it says something about Caesars Hotel not allowing the behavior and actions that the characters are involved in. Gee thanks Caesars, I didn’t know that I wasn’t allowed to or that it’s ill advised to hang over the side of a very large hotel with nothing to hold onto but tied together bed sheets. I just found it a bit ridiculous that they would have to put that in the credits, but I guess they just figure some idiot would try it. Anyway, I think if you enjoyed the first, and are not completely tired of these characters, than I think you will enjoy Part III a lot. I say see this and come say goodbye to The Wolfpack.
Rated R for: pervasive language including sexual references, some violence and drug content, and brief graphic nudity
Runtime: 100 minutes
After Credits Scene: None, but there is something a little bit into the credits so stay put for a few minutes
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, John Goodman, Justin Bartha, Melissa McCarthy
Directed By: Todd Phillips
Out of 5 Nerdskulls
Story: 3.5/ Acting: 4/ Directing: 3.5/ Visuals: 4
OVERALL: 4 Nerdskulls
Check out the trailer below:
