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2011, 05-24:
Review of film: “THE HANGOVER: PART II”
“OVER-the-top” SLOP...
This is going to be a sort of “rare” type of commentary from me: I am purposely not going to post many PHOTOS concerning this movie, because certain elements have made me so ANGRY about some of the what-to-me are abysmal film-making choices in it, I simply don’t want to “PUBLICIZE” it in any “favorable” way...
... You’re probably aware this is a follow-up to the extremely RAUNCHY (& frequently ridiculous) 1st film in the “series” which was released in 2009...
... That film was set in LAS VEGAS as guys go on a Bachelor Party trip. You had prospective groom Doug (JUSTIN BARTHA) & his misguided pals Phil (BRADLEY COOPER), Stu (ED HELMS), & obnoxious ADHD-suffering Alan (ZACK GALIFIANAKIS)...
... Well, in this one, it’s ED who’s engaged to be married. Bradley doesn’t like that the ceremony is to be held in THAILAND (because the bride-to-be is from there)-- but he agrees to go as a member of the bridal party if Ed will agree to Justin’s idea to also invite ZACK (who Ed now “hates”)... Ed acquiesces to the “blackmail” about Zack...
... Joining them on their trip overseas, they meet the bride’s younger brother Teddy (MASON LEE). Altho he’s only 16 years old, he’s already in Stanford studying pre-med since he wants to be a SURGEON... He’s well-mannered and thoughtful (rather than having any “big head” about being so advanced)-- but, for some unexplained reason, Zack DOESN’T LIKE him & treats him badly...
... Altho Ed is “hesitant” about the idea, Bradley & Zack insist he join them & Justin on another BACHELOR PARTY (a “brunch”), & one of them insists that Mason come along too...
... Well, as expected with the guys involved, things go “CRAZY” once again, & they can’t “remember” what happened (including Ed’s facial tattoo) after they wake up in some STRANGE place in BANGKOK... Justin calls & advises he’s back at the seaside “resort” with the bride’s family-- but NO ONE knows where MASON is...
... The film once again “throws in” a re-appearance by stereotypically “flaming” gangster Mr. Chow (KEN JEONG), using more “screaming” exaggerated-GROSS-OUT sexual raunchiness for its cheap-jokes “SHOCK” value...
... They also use PAUL GIAMATTI as another “crook” named Kingsley, “season” the plot with a MONKEY, & (shades of the 1st film) toss-in MIKE TYSON as (naturally) a “singer”...
... At one point, while searching for MASON, the “Hangover” trio finds his cut-off FINGER, + get involved with Chow’s drug-involved dealings...
... Will they be able to retrieve MASON (so Ed can move “ahead” with his marriage plans)?... Will Chow’s drug connections & Zack’s typically-insufferable actions cause them still more TROUBLE?... Do you really CARE?!...
... Very simply, like the 1st in the series, this film is DESIGNED to be “SHOCKING”, to try to generate “buzz” by being so “over-the-top” in its GROSSNESS that it (ahem) “stands-out”...
... Well, it has some “FUNNY” scenes (but not much real “hilariousness”) due to the inflated extremes of the characters (which at times are decently acted by Ed Helms & some others)... Sadly, a lot of the humor seems “DESPERATE” rather than anything really “clever”...
... I don’t give a damn about the “tattoo” controversy... I can “deal with” characters that are silly and / or STUPID-- 2 “hallmarks” of this “franchise”... I can take plots that are “far-out” & ones that are ludicrously “GROSS-OUT” based...
... What I don’t quietly “accept” are contrivances purposely DESENSITIZING humanity like those exhibited in THIS:
... What especially “bugged” me was the “detached” way they dealt with how the STUPID actions of the “Bachelor Bums” (Bradley, Ed & Zack) & their “friends” frequently caused hurt to “INNOCENT” parties (with a “to-HELL-with-them” attitude by the filmmakers)...
... A case-in-point: MASON is set-up as a bright, responsible, well-mannered, talented kid (as a cello musician & a budding surgeon). Yet, the film-makers found it “FUNNY” to have the “Bums” urge him to drink & do DRUGS & act VIOLENTLY (none of which he was “interested” in before meeting them)...
... Then, not only is he supposedly “kidnapped”, but his right (index) finger is CUT-OFF (set-up initially as seemingly a “ransom” type situation)...
... At the very END of the film, you see (during the credits) that Mason “happily” is drunkenly (and/or druggily) working with a knife to cut off his OWN finger, all the while “URGED”-on by the “BUMS” Zack, Bradley & Ed, who find it all very “FUNNY”... And, then the film shows Mason as cheerfully “UNconcerned” about what had transpired...
... Here’s a “good kid” whose LIFE will be deeply IMPACTED (& probably RUINED as to being a SURGEON & the like) by the drug-addled exhortations of the “BUMS”, & the film-makers such as director TODD PHILLIPS set that up as something “FUNNY”...
... I don’t find it “funny”-- I find the “happy” stance about self-mutilation to be a PATHETIC example of “CRAP” film-making, a sad “do-ANYTHING-for-a-buck” mentality that I’d like to see “BACKFIRE” in their faces by the FAILURE of this desolately wretched series (so as to STOP it in its tracks)...
... Unfortunately, (as we’ve seen by reactions to the many “slasher” type flicks), it seems there’s a hefty public who will “support” such calculatedly “OVER-the-top” slop...
... The acting in this might generate an overall ranking of 3 out of 10 for this production... It’s estimated that this movie cost like $ 80 million to make (& I think it’s a lot MORE when you add in the marketing)...
... When I think of how that money COULD have paid for like 10 decent to excellent “INDIE” films, I find its cost to be a dismal SQUANDERING of funds by WARNER BROTHERS...
... Yes, I’m aware this is “just a MOVIE”. And, this writeup is just an OPINION... People have a “right” to make the movie they “want” to make (especially if their “motives” are “honorable”)... And, I have the right to accept or “REJECT” what they offer...
... Keeping all that in mind, I want to make a “statement” here: because of the rotten “ATTITUDES” I’ve seen by those making films like this, I’m purposely rating it at ZERO stars out of 10...
... SAVE your money & instead support those making sincere, WORTHWHILE efforts in the world of film-making!...
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