Review: The Hangover

The Hangover (2009)
starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Heather Graham
dir. Todd Phillips


Is this a funny film? Yes. That's all I asked for and I got it. It's not a movie as much as it's a concept piece using several skits and the theme of finding a lost friend to tie it all together. This isn't a film about change or building character, it's about setup and punchline. Looking at it from that point of view it delivers and is firing on all four cylinders.

Todd Phillips keeps the pace moving and creates a very visually appealing movie. It's nice not to see flat lighting and a wide/medium/closeup photography. He's good with comedy as long as he's given a good script. Just look at Starsky & Hutch (2004) or School For Scoundrels (2006) to understand his limitations. He can't improve, he can only deliver the package in hand.

I ran into Ed Helms at a party once and he was kind of a jerk, so I just don't like him. therefore I can't tell you if he was any good in this, all I could see was the jerk. Cooper plays a dick well and can look good doing it with stylish clothes and copious amounts of hair product. Galifianakis is the breakout. His stand up comedy, ore like performance art, is brilliant and he gets a chance to show off some of his skills with his man child character. He's sweet, a little demented and could be scary in the right circumstances.

It's a really funny movie and worth the price of admission. There is over the top humor and some subtle moments that might slip by if your not paying attention. It wants to make you laugh and nothing more. Mission accomplished.

8 out of 10