Very Funny

Rating: 8/10 (20 June 2009)

We've all been there. There have been nights where we've drank too much and can't remember everything. For Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galfianakis), this happens on the bachelor party for their friend Doug (Justin Bartha). Unfortunately, the morning after, they realize that they lost Doug.
The humor in "The Hangover" comes from the bizarre situations that the characters find themselves in. Or more specifically, that they got themselves into the night before, and are just now remembering it. This type of humor can work, although a film that completely relies on it (like this one) runs the risk of making the material get dry and tired. Fortunately, director Todd Philips keeps things brief enough and the pace quick enough that this doesn't really become a problem.
It's hard to address the acting, because the actors play very familiar types (this is the film's biggest problem). Bradley Cooper is no stranger to playing a jerk (he got his big break in "Wedding Crashers," although he's more sympathetic here). Ed Helms, while not being a stranger to comedy, is not a well known name. He's the worrywart who turns into a doormat whenever his over-bearing girlfriend is mentioned. Zach Galifianakis is the black sheep of the group, who's only along because he's going to be Doug's brother-in-law. Nevertheless, the comedy works because all of the principal cast members have a sizable amount of comic aptitude.
Not everything works (the movie feels underdeveloped--with a little more care, it could have been a masterpiece), but most of it does, and there are some very big laughs to be found throughout the 100 minute running time (the end credits alone are worth the price of a few admission tickets).
"The Hangover" is comedy pure and simple. Nothing is understated, and it's not quirky. It's just plain funny.