Hangover 2 Review:

The wolf-pack is back in the Hangover 2, and I'm not sure if that is a good thing.  The original cast returns as well as a few new faces, including Paul Giamati (who I believe replaced Mel Gibson during production).  Todd Phillips is once again in the director's chair, but why I'm not really sure.  Sure, it makes sense to have him direct a sequel to a franchise he co-created, but after seeing the film I think it would have been better off with a fresh set of eyes and open-mind.  I'm not saying that I dis-like Phillips, because in the past I've always enjoyed his films.  I have often made the comparison, under a lot of fire,  that Phillips is my generations "John Hughes".  I'm not saying he is as good or the same, but in a sense Phillips, like hughes, created the "Frat Pack", similar to the "Brat Pack".  Phillips employs the same comedic faces in most of his movies such as: Vince Vaghn, Zack Galifinakis, and Will Ferrel.  One could even argue that his other recent film, "Due Date", is a remake of Hughe's classic "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles".  Unfortunately, all of this tenure and praise doesn't amount to much in this sequel (if you can call it a "sequel").

The story is structurally identical to the first Hangover.  Beat for beat, plot point for plot point, these two scripts are entirely interchangeable.  Each filmic device is the same: one could swap Vegas for Bangkok, the monkey for Chow, Chow for Heather Graham and even the "Mcguffin"(code for the "thing" everyone wants in the movie) , missing brother, Teddy for lost best friend, Doug .  The movie doesn't feel like a sequel, but more like a reboot.  Part 2 doesn't expand on the story, the characters, or the world we established with the original.  Perhaps someone like Adam McKay would have been able to bring some new comedic elements to this journey, or even David Schwimmer (yes from "Friends", he's a director now).

The performances are nothing new here as well.  Bradley Cooper does a decent job as the cool, calm, collected one of the bunch.  Galifinakis is typical, playing himself yet again.  I would like to see him branch out from these types of comedies, and do more work in tune with "It's Kind of a Funny Story", because honestly, he's great in that movie, and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say, "we are getting a little tired of this Zack".  Ed helms is probably the shining star of our triumvirate, he seems to be the only voice of reason ever in these movies, and actual brings something more to his character, "change".  Even if his character only changes slightly, he still grows from his previous experience and still maintains a fresh perspective in this new adventure.  The final performance is Ken Jeong, who is just awful.  I didn't like his character in the first outing, and with added screen time and a pivotal role in the plot of this sinking ship, I despised it even more here.  His character is annoying, uninteresting, and feels like he is reading the cue cards from a PA just off of camera.  I wish I had better things to say about this one, but I can't help but feel disappointed.  

My advice: save 14 bucks and buy some scratch-off tickets.  You'll have more fun and excitement scratching to see if got three lemons on one of those than sitting through the Hangover 2.  I'm giving it 2 out of 5 aspirins, but really you're going to need the rest of the bottle for this one.