The hangover!!!

Rating: 10/10 (25 August 2014)

The genre of this film is comedy and it hits the nail on the head. It is typical comedy but it also raised the bar on future comedies. The storyline of this film was classic. The film starts out with a distressed bride getting a phone call that her soon to be husband, Doug, is missing. The film then backtracks to two days before the phone call. We now see the groom and realize that he and his friends, Phil, Stu, and Alan, are preparing to head to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. When the four friends get to Vegas they check into their hotel and toast to a great night. The film then progresses to the next morning when Phil, Stu, and Alan realize that they cannot remember anything from the night before and Doug is missing. The next day and half consists of the three friends finding out clues as to what they did that night and trying to find the Doug. They go on wild adventures to find Doug but on the morning of the wedding Phil calls the bride to tell her that they cannot find the groom. While he is on the phone Stu finally figures out where Doug is and takes the phone from Phil and tells the bride they are on there way. They make it to the wedding and the groom and bride are finally married. At the end of the film, a camera is found from the night the four friends cannot remember so they go through the photos one time and then delete all the evidence of the crazy, wild night they had in Vegas.
The editing of the film was appropriate. Fade in; fade out was used for many of the scenes to get the affect that time was passing. For example, when the four friends toast to a great night the scene fades to the next morning so we know we will not actually see what happened during the night. There were also a couple of establishing shots. For example, when the friends first enter Las Vegas we see a shot of the whole city and when the friends are rushing to get back to get the wedding we see full view of the desert to see just how far they have to go. Continuity editing was the major editing of the film though. Majority flowed together and the transitions were smooth and appropriate.
The cinematography supported the mood of the film. Panning was used quite a lot, mainly when the friends were planning on what to do next which is through most of the film. A steadicam was also used so the actors looked as if they were walking towards us. It made us feel involved in the film. Close-ups and medium close ups were the main angles used throughout the film. All these shots supported the mood because it made the audience feel as though we were apart of the crazy night and trying to figure out what exactly happened.
The sound was very effective. Majority of the film used a soundtrack. The soundtrack was mainly party songs so that we got the feel that it was a wild night and the friends had the time of their lives. When music wasn't playing, actual sound was used. It was a balanced blend. The score made me want to gather my friends and party so we could have an epic night.
The film was meant to be funny and show the viewers that crazy, wild nights always seem to happen Vegas. It also gives the impression that if you want to have fun nights like the one depicted, you should head to Vegas with your best friends. I also have biases towards Vegas because I have been there several times with my own friends. Although we did not have nights to the extent of The Hangover, we had nights that we will never forget. Overall, this film was quite enjoyable because it will have you laughing the whole time and I would recommend the movie to anyone who asked about. They are sure to be in for a lot of laughs.