Any trip to Vegas can be interesting. But for Doug and his three groomsmen, interesting is just the beginning.
Taking off on a last minute bachelor party, the foursome are greeted with mystery and mayhem in the Sin City. Full of booze, babes and bonding, the guys take no time settling in, upgrading to a deluxe suite at the popular Caesar's Palace and experiencing a night unlike any other...if only they could remember what all took place. Now, Doug is missing, there is a tiger in the bathroom and a baby is crying in the closet. Hungover and confused, Phil, Allen and Stu have 48 hours to piece together the clues and discover just what happened during their night of drunken debauchery.
Directed and penned by Old School creator Todd Phillips, there was a heavy amount of buzz preceding this film, and for good reason. Featuring an up and coming film cast, as well as a reputable writer and hysterical premise, it looked to be the first major comedy of the year. And while many other films have failed on their guaranteed laughs, this one is different - it actually delivers.
Led by the unlikely trio of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover comes together flawlessly, quickly proving itself as a work of pure comedic genius. The witty dialogue, classic actions and the run of bad luck meshes just right, allowing the film to soar beyond my every expectation and easily rise to the top in terms of entertainment and re-watch power.
But when it is all said and done, the film would not have been nearly as successful without the work of Zach Galifianakis. Improving many of his scenes, the bearded fat Jesus makes a statement with his take on Allan, the somewhat loner who is in dire need of a 'wolfpack.' His confrontation with Mike Tyson is priceless, and his incoherent, yet simplistic actions allow for a fluid, nonchalant series of jokes. His timely delivery and long list of quotable one-liners gives The Hangover that ultimate punch, allowing it to soar over all its predecessors and become the most original comedy, and first sleeper hit, of the year.
