The Hangover (2009)

Director:

Todd Phillips

Writers (WGA):

Jon Lucas (written by) &
Scott Moore (written by)

Release Date:

5 June 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Some guys just can't handle Vegas

Plot:

A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Las Vegas | Party | Friend | Hotel Suite

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 9 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Bradley Cooper	...	Phil Wenneck
Ed Helms	...	Stu Price
Zach Galifianakis	...	Alan Garner
Justin Bartha	...	Doug Billings
Heather Graham	...	Jade
Sasha Barrese	...	Tracy Garner
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Sid Garner
Ken Jeong	...	Mr. Chow
Rachael Harris	...	Melissa
Mike Tyson	...	Himself
Mike Epps	...	Black Doug
Jernard Burks	...	Leonard
Rob Riggle	...	Officer Franklin
Cleo King	...	Officer Garden
Bryan Callen	...	Eddie Palermo

Also Known As:

Hangover (Germany)
¿Qué pasó ayer? (Argentina) (Mexico) (Peru) (Uruguay) [es]
Very Bad Trip (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]
Мальчишник в Вегасе (Russia) [ru]
A Ressaca (Portugal) [pt]
B'Derekh L'Khatunah Otzrim B'Vegas (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Baksmällan (Sweden) [sv]
Felekten bir gece (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Hangover (Norway) [no]
Kac Vegas (Poland) [pl]
Kauhea kankkunen (Finland) [fi]
Lendemain de veille (Canada: French title) [fr]
Másnaposok (Hungary) [hu]
Mamurluk (Croatia) [hr]
Mamurluk u Vegasu (Serbia) [sr]
Marea mahmureala (Romania) [ro]
Pagiras (Latvia) [lv]
Pagirios Las Vegase (Lithuania) [lt]
Parba ve Vegas (Czech Republic) [cs]
Pohmakas (Estonia) [et]
Resacón en Las Vegas (Spain) [es]
Se Beber Não Case (Brazil) [pt]
Stopping in Vegas on the Way to a Wedding (Israel: English title) [en]
Tømmermænd i Vegas (Denmark) [da]
The Hangover (Greece) [el]
Una notte da leoni (Italy) [it]
Vo stvorici po opici (Slovakia) [sk]

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45241) | Netherlands:12 | UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Finland:K-13 | Sweden:11 | Iceland:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (edited version) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:MA (cut) | USA:Unrated (unrated version) | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:12 (f) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Argentina:16 | Mexico:B15 | India:A | Brazil:14 | UK:18 (DVD version) | Australia:R (DVD version) | Australia:R (extended version) | South Korea:18 | Turkey:15+

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

While most events that happened the night before the guys' hangovers are figured out during the course of the movie, the chicken in the hotel room is never explained.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the guys push the car to Mike Tyson's house, lighting equipment, the camera and crew members are reflected on the side of the car

Quotes:

Stu Price: She's got my grandmother's Holocaust ring!
Alan Garner: I didn't know they gave out rings at the Holocaust.

Movie Connections:

References 3 Men and a Baby (1987)

Soundtrack:

Who Let the Dogs Out

Entertaining as much for its puzzle-piece story then for its raunch

Sometimes the title of a film can sell itself, or at the very least pique a viewer's interest. Director Todd Phillip's new comedy The Hangover does this and more by introducing an infinitely relatable premise and infusing it with a clever story to keeps the gimmick supported for the duration. While providing the requisite raunch, stupidity and laughs, The Hangover is bolstered more by its puzzle piece narrative then by straight up humour. The mark of a good comedy is one that can keep your interest in between the laughs; be it by human drama, character development or in this case, a meandering riddle.

What do we really know about a hangover? We know we have one, and we know we drank too much. Often everything before, after and in-between can be a blur at best, and for three friends, Phil, Stu and Alan they certainly got the worst. Travelling to Las Vegas for a night of sin, gin and wins to celebrate their friend Doug's (Justin Bartha) bachelor party they awaken the next morning to find their hotel room a tad dishevelled, a tiger in their bathroom, their memories wiped clean and their groom to be MIA. Playing the three worried bros respectively are Bradley Cooper as the bored-with-his-life school teacher, Ed Helms as the neurotic dentist and Zach Galifanakis as the awkward weirdo and soon to be brother in law of Doug. So unfolds the mystery; trying to find their missing friend before the wedding by piecing together the clues of their epic night out.

For me the standout of the group was certainly Ed Helms. He plays the role straight, he is likable and he is funny. His characters arc is the most complete and entertaining and he certainly grounds his wilder counterparts nicely. The other players are certainly funny, yet the characters of Phil and Alan are not fully likable. Cooper's Phil is a bit of a prick and Alan is flat out creepy. That aside the actors put forward such commendable efforts all is soon forgotten and the quick pace and continual humour keeps things fast, fun and frantic.

As promised by the trailers, we get a cameo from the Mike Tyson who is funnier for being himself then for his actual performance, darting in an out with a great supporting performance is heather Graham as an escort and Mike Epps makes good use of his time as quote 'Black Doug'. More hilarious yet is a closing cover for rapper 50 Cents' Candy Shop which is as inspired as it is hilarious. The Hangover is certainly one of those comedies that is re-watchable, and likely to improve with repeat viewings. However it is probably a good thing actual hangovers are not this much fun; I'd rather die of laughter then alcohol poisoning.

Read all my reviews at simonsaysmovies.blogspot.com