Bradley Cooper, Zach Galafianakis, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha star in this 2009 Comedy. This is probably a film most of you have already seen, perhaps multiple times but those that have no idea, Phil, Alan, Stu and Doug are four friends going on a stag party to Vegas. As the title of the film suggests, they wake up with the mother of all hangovers and can’t remember shit. Oh yeah, and their mate Doug is missing.
That’s pretty much the entire premise of the film and the lads effort to find Doug and get back in time for the wedding results in some pretty hilarious and quite frankly bizarre scenes. Alan (Zach Galafianakis) is the simple minded outcast, Phil (Bradley Cooper) is the suave leader of the group, Stu (Ed Helms) is a dentist who thinks he’s a doctor while Doug (Justin Bartha) is about to get married to the love of his life and Alan’s sister. This film just works. The chemistry between the four friends is very much believable and could even remind you of your crew.
The quote ‘What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ couldn’t be a more apt quote for this film. It’s also the title of a pretty terrible film with Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher but never mind that for now. I’ll be honest, yesterday was not the first time i’ve seen The Hangover, nor was it the second…….. or the third. It’s the sort of film you’d be able to sit back and enjoy time and time again, and find it funny each time.
It’s probably how utterly strange and random this film is that makes it so watchable and hilarious. Imagine waking up in the morning in a 5 star Las Vegas hotel, feeling like shit to find a huge tiger in your bathroom. I’m sure you’ve all had your wild nights at home and abroad but getting loosing your mates in Academy is about as extreme as it gets. Along with a giant jungle cat, we have pulled teeth and random baby in a closet. Yeah, it really is quite bizarre.
Alan really is the star of the show, and his weird behaviour is both endearing and amusing. I really wish we could hang. I’d also really like to go to Vegas to have a slightly less wild night than the wolf pack (Alan’s name for their friend group). This is a classic comedy film that will never really lose it’s touch. I’d recommend watching it before going off on your friends trip away to give you those holiday vibes.
7.5/10