What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas unfortunately

Rating: 1/10 (10 June 2009)

After seeing the movie I was so unimpressed I felt like writing an ironic review praising the fine acting and exquisite plot in this film. However, since it's currently in the IMDb top 250 and number one in the US box office, being a bit more serious seems like a better choice since I think the irony probably would be lost on most people.
The Hangover is about four guys who go to Las Vegas to attend one of the guy's bachelor party. They have a wild night and wake up the next morning not being able to remember a single thing from the previous night. This setup could possibly make for a somewhat entertaining film, however they have failed on this one. Out of the running time I think I laughed about two times. It's a very excruciating thing to watch a film where even one joke falls flat, in this one which is supposed to be a comedy they turn into string combos of jokes that simply aren't funny.
The humor is crude, sexist, violent, and still without going ever going over the line which is a problem. Comedies that go over the line, like Borat for example really is my cup of tea, but The Hangover never really dares to venture there. For example you are supposed to think the fat guy is funny because he is weird and stupid, although he comes off as too pathetic for it to be funny.
The plot never draws you in since one does not feel anything for the main characters, they are all unlikeable in their own unique way. In movies it's important to have a logical thread going through the entire film, and not introduce too many random characters or events that are not motivated, especially not in the later half or so. In The Hangover way too many characters and situations are just randomly inserted which I suppose is meant to be goofy and hilarious, but it just comes off as bad scriptwriting.
Worst of all though, and what really puts me off in The Hangover is the glorified picture of Las Vegas it produces, which unfortunately is very common in the mass media today. Las Vegas appears to be a paradise on Earth, where you come to have fun, win lots of money, and still leave with a smile on your face, no matter what happens. Because, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Well, let me tell you something: I've been to Las Vegas. Never in my life have I been to a more horrid place. I would never ever want to go there again. To me Las Vegas really embodies all the bad parts of the American culture. Nothing feels real there, it's all about surface and everything has this plastic, artificial feeling to it. Commerce is what it's all about there, spend money or lose it by gambling. None of this matters though, because most of the average joes watching this film will never go there, so film makers can continue to picture Las Vegas in this almost mythological way.