Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Yes. This is every bit as good as it looks. There’s not really a whole hell of a lot to say about this film except that it is really, really funny. While I didn’t laugh as hard as many of my friends – most of whom spent the bulk of the film doubled over – the film lived up to every promise it makes with its TV spots and trailers, proving to be this summer’s raunchy comedy hit. If somehow you’ve managed to miss the marketing blitz on this thing (which I, lacking cable or satellite television of any sort have not been able to do) it’s a pretty simple premise: 4 guys leave for a debaucherous drunken night in Vegas – but when they wake up the groom is missing, the hotel room is trashed and no one remembers a thing about the night before.
And really, when all is said and done, it is not the jokes that make THE HANGOVER a movie worth watching and potentially rewatching. It is the story. The film is tightly paced and presented as comedic mystery, with a compelling narrative that never hints at whether the groom is even still alive. In fact, some of the evidence seems contrary. As the guys try to retrace their steps, a series of clever twists and insane turns paint a picture of a night that no one should ever forget…except that they somehow did. And it creates a memorable story with plenty of shocks and a lot of laughs.
The comedy here is very well crafted and carefully honed. It is smart without being effete. It is base, vulgar and crass without being lowbrow. But most importantly, THE HANGOVER knows how to tell a joke. There’s one moment in particular in which one of the characters does something ridiculously crude involving a baby. It’s not really funny. But it kind of is. Some of the people in the audience laughed, but most knew better. I mean, this is exactly the kind of things one of your jackass friends would do to try and make you laugh. It’s not smart. It’s not clever. And then one of the other characters walks up and acts just like the audience, trying to be better than the joke. And then he snorts, letting out an honest chuckle – letting the audience know that they know just how absurd and stupid it is, but come on, it’s okay to laugh, it’s kind of funny – and the audience exploded in laughter. Because the joke wasn’t the crude thing – the joke was you trying not to laugh at the crude thing. And they get you. THE HANGOVER is structured entirely around jokes forged in this kind of comedy. Not the Apatow school of “Let throw 20 takes at the wall and see what sticks”, but more of the “let’s tell some jokes that will pay off later in the film,” variety. And that’s what elevates this to level of acclaim it has already, and most likely will continue to, receive.
Bradley Cooper does incredibly well, and the well timed hinting at him putting on the emerald tights as Green Lantern hasn’t hurt the buzz on him. This in no way convinced me that he’s up to that – but it did show me that he is a more than adequate replacement for the Ryan Reynolds/Vince Vaughn role in a comedy, and is very funny and likable in his own right. I’d actually love to see him in a Joe Carnahan movie, or something a bit grittier. But funny – the guy is funny and I’d love to see him stick with that. He anchors this film in a big way and lets Zach Galifianakis and Ed helms go nuts in all the right ways. The chemistry and timing between these three is the final cherry atop the comedy Sunday that brings it all together. These guys are funny, but together they are hilarious.
My biggest problem with the film isn’t the film itself, but the advertising. The trailer and TV spots have ruined a number of the film’s best jokes. Fortunately, it is impossible to ruin ALL of the films jokes. There are too many, and frankly several that aren’t appropriate for anything other than a redband trailer. You have not seen the very best parts of the movie - but a number of jokes that could have been legendary are instead relegated to “I wish I’d seen it in the film instead” status.
Even though I wasn’t blown out of my chair for this, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will see it again. It was sharp, funny and never told a joke that made me roll my eyes or wince – uncommon for most rated R comedies these days. A true cut above, I fully expect this to be heralded by most as the best, if not simply one of the best, comedies of the year by nearly every one you know. If you’re looking for a laugh, this comes Recommended.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
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