The Hangover (2009)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Todd Phillips

Writers (WGA):

Jon Lucas (written by) &
Scott Moore (written by)

Release Date:

5 June 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Some guys just can't handle Vegas

Plot:

A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Party | Las Vegas | Hotel Suite | Hangover

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Bradley Cooper	...	Phil Wenneck
Ed Helms	...	Stu Price
Zach Galifianakis	...	Alan Garner
Justin Bartha	...	Doug Billings
Heather Graham	...	Jade
Sasha Barrese	...	Tracy Garner
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Sid Garner
Ken Jeong	...	Mr. Chow
Rachael Harris	...	Melissa
Mike Tyson	...	Himself
Mike Epps	...	Black Doug
Jernard Burks	...	Leonard
Rob Riggle	...	Officer Franklin
Cleo King	...	Officer Garden
Bryan Callen	...	Eddie Palermo

Also Known As:

Hangover (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material.

Runtime:

99 min | 108 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45241) | Netherlands:12 | UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Finland:K-13 | Iceland:12 | Sweden:Btl | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (edited version) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:MA (cut) | USA:Unrated (unrated version) | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:12 (f) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Argentina:16 | Mexico:B15 | India:A | Brazil:14 | UK:18 (DVD version) | Australia:R (DVD version) | Australia:R (extended version) | Turkey:15+

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Zach Galifianakis (Alan) makes the joke about him not being allowed near schools or a Chuck E. Cheese, that is a direct reference to one of his staple jokes in his stand up: "When you look like I do, it's hard to get a table for one at Chuck E. Cheese."

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The tiger scratch marks on Phil's neck are too small to have come from a tiger, whose average paw width is 4 1/2 inches.

Quotes:

Alan Garner: Hey you guys ready to let the dogs out?

Movie Connections:

References "Magnum, P.I." (1980)

Soundtrack:

Yeah!

Succeeds Where Old School Fails

After much anticipation, The Hangover has finally hit theaters. Todd Phillips returns raunchier than ever with a surprisingly consistent comedy loaded with bizarre situations ensued by lots of laughter. From a live tiger in the bathroom to an abandoned baby in the closet, this movie has everything. Seriously, everything (confirmed by the credit sequence).

Phillips does not shy away from his formula. The movie centers around four immature adults dumbfounded by the seemingly unexplainable result of a wild Vegas night catalyzed by the foursome's out of control bachelor party. Set the day before one of the principle character's wedding, the film is primarily seen through eyes of Doug (the groom-to-be), Alan (the lovable moron), Stu (the hopeless one), and Phil (the stud, and in many ways the leader of the pack). The director of Old School does not shy away from shock humor but embraces it, while gradually building confidence and self discovery within the characters.

Overall, the film triumphs through curiosity and chemistry. Just like the main characters, we are eager to find out what happens, or what DID happen. At the same time, the strong relationship developed by the characters makes the viewer realize how much he/she cares about what ultimately happens to them. Chemistry is the secret to a good comedy; it is about time somebody shows this understanding.

I don't want to reveal too much, but let me tell you this: everything does get explained in the end (except for the chicken aimlessly walking around in the hotel room, but I mean, it's a chicken). All of the actors succeeded in their roles admirably, and I wouldn't be surprised to see these guys in more lead roles. Ed Helms hasn't made me laugh this hard since The Daily Show. Seriously guys. Go watch this movie, you won't be disappointed.