If there’s one experience every partier can relate to, it’s The Hangover. Todd Phillips, director of Old School, returns with an exaggerated but riotously funny look at what can only be called the worst best bachelor’s party ever had.
On the eve of their buddy’s wedding day, three friends take the groom to Vegas for what they hope to be a wild night of male camaraderie in the “sin city.” However, they wake up the next morning to a trashed suite, a tiger, a cop car and a missing groom. Not remembering a single moment, the three have to backtrack their steps through the entire town to figure out what happened.
The film succeeds not just because of the outrageous situations the trio finds itself in, but also because each of the no-name leads delivers breakout performances. Cooper has officially cemented himself as a leading man while Helms makes a successful leap to film from the hit series “The Office.” If there is one standout comedic performance though, it is arguably from Galifianakis. The 39-year old comedian has broken from the traps of being overlooked, miscast, and given less air time on Comedy Central than he is due.
The Hangover may lack the level of heart in recent comedies such as Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I Love You, Man but it more than makes up for it with some of the most ludicrous and memorable moments to come from the genre since Wedding Crashers. Like any unforgettable night of partying, The Hangover will leave you asking for another round.
