The Hangover Part II (2011) R - 3½ Stars

The original Hangover movie has got to be one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. The freshness of not knowing what to expect makes it a classic. Trying to duplicate that it in The Hangover II is a tough challenge. However, I rented the movie not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. Though it's not as good as the first, same plot with different scenery, it's worth the rent and tickled my funny bone. This time a little monkey, in his Rolling Stones vest, joins our 4 friends as they awaken in Bangkok not knowing what happened to put them there. Not the greatest but definitely funnier than most other comedies out there like Bridesmaids.

Stu (Ed Helms), is getting married again, this time in Thailand. The bride to be Lauren (Jamie Chung), is awaiting the arrival of her fiance along with the disapproval of her father Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong). Phil is feeling very intimidated, going to a strange land alone, and invites his buddies Alan (Zach Galifanakis), Doug (Justin Bartha), and Phil (Bradley Cooper), to join him. Vowing to make this marriage a success, Stu is cautious to join in when Phil suggest the gang share a beer on the beach one last time before the big day. Phil assures him nothing can go wrong and suggests Lauren's younger brother Teddy (Mason Lee), join them as this young prodigy needs to loosen up under the control of his over bearing father. What could go wrong with one harmless beer, bottled and capped and no chance of contamination of any drugs getting in. Stu's main concern is the wedding going off without a hitch. Guess they should have left Alan at home.

Director: Todd Phillips
Writers: Scot Armstrong, Craig Mazin, Todd Phillips
Producers: Todd Phillips, Dana Goldberg, Daniel Goldberg

I viewed 1/12