This Thursday (some may refer to it as tomorrow) we have the opportunity, nay the privilege, NAY the responsibility to go see The Hangover Part II. While unlikely to be unique in any way (like, whatsoever), and is guaranteed to copy its predecessor as closely as possible, it is ensured to be the best comedy of the summer. Bridesmaids, a recent release starring Kristen Wiig from SNL, has been proclaimed to be as funny as/in the same vein as The Hangover; though I refuse to see this movie, that will in no way stop me from passing judgment.
Bridesmaids cannot possibly work and be as funny as The Hangover because there is a comedy double-standard: certain subjects can be funny when discussed by male characters, but they just become gross or crude when delivered by female characters. That's why Stu, Phil, Alan, Mr. Chow, and Doug are such great characters: they're believable. Great cinema comes from exaggerated truths. These characters are just exaggerated versions of idiotic dudes stuck in a fraternity-like mindset.
One thing that I love about both Hangover movies is that they give Ken Jeong (Mr. Chow) a chance to shine. This is a man who spent the time, money, and years of his life to earn a M.D. and still decided to pursue his passion: comedy. He was hilarious in Knocked Up, but The Hangover is where he became a star. He got to perform the tiger song from the film at the MTV Movie Awards, as uncomfortable as that was to watch. I highly recommend you don't go look that up on YouTube; it involves spandex. Another star that was born from these films is Zach Galifiankis. If you look at his IMDB page you can see that he'd done quite a bit before these films, but he's hosted SNL twice since the film. That's the best indicator in how high his star stock has soared (sorry for the alliteration, I couldn't help myself).
This is one of the few blockbuster films in the last decade to be highly successful despite a lack of giant explosions, martial arts, and sex scenes. In fact, there is little nudity at all and, until the end credits and that one scene with Heather Graham, it's primarily Galifiankis that's partially nude. Despite the fact that I'd rather not see that, I applaud the director for choosing to use nudity for the punchline, not just because he could. If we're completely honest, most people (and easily all men) who've cast Graham in films do so to put her in as little clothing as possible. So thank you Todd Phillips for breaking the mold in more ways than one and giving us the incomparable (with the exception of The Hangover Part II) The Hangover. (If you're wondering why you liked Due Date so much, it's the same director).
Some people have derided this second installment as lazy, a direct copy, and other such things, but why is that a bad time? How may times have you watch The Hangover? Now if it's the exact same movie simply set in Bangkok (teheh), how is that a bad thing? It's not! It will give you an excuse to watch The Hangover back to back by watching 1 and then 2. Then people can't judge you. Not that I'd know from personal experience. . . So get ready to laugh until your sides hurt and then watch it again. This Memorial Day, the boys are back and as screwed as ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment