It Really Felt Like a Hangover

Rating: 3/10 (30 August 2013)

I rented this movie with an open mind. When it comes to movies, my memory can be fuzzy and all I remember when this film was released was that it was about a trip (travel and drug) that went awfully wrong. These characters had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I suspect that the film's subtext is what the story is really about rather than the sophomoric antics that initially give the movie a comedic flair.
For starters, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) is a registered sex offender whose sister is getting married to Doug (Justin Bartha), the groom. He even tries to make a pass at his unreceptive future brother-in-law, Doug. Doug suggests that a sexual relationship with Alan would be borderline incestuous and politely declines. There are scenes that suggest that Alan is into bestiality, is bisexual, and a drug addict with ties to drug dealers.
Doug is the insipid nice guy who reluctantly accepts Alan into his circle of friends.
Stu (Ed Helms) is a nerdy and spineless dentist with an Oedipus complex. His relationship with Melissa is that of mother and son, not future husband and wife. Out of all the men, Stu lost it the most during their drug and alcohol trip. He married a local stripper with a newborn and is very quick to turn his back on the morals he pretends to uphold.
Phil (Bradley Cooper) is the quintessential pretty boy who is a douchebag. He is a grade school teacher who fathered a child with a married woman. Phil hates his job as a teacher and for the most part has no soul. His attitude really irked me because there are many men who are that way. He's the ringleader of the pack even though Stu and Doug are the ones with the money. I'd say Phil has the makings of a hustler; he pretends to know it all yet knows nothing and is more than willing to use your assets to make this possible.
The scenes with Mike Tyson are crazy! There's a lot of symbolism in his role. The men literally chase the tiger (slang for cocaine use). Tyson, a man with a troubled history, plays the role of an avowed animal lover. The band of "brothers" (in reference to Alan's failed blood brother ceremony atop the roof) behaved more like animals than the ones Tyson keeps. By the way, he was gently cradling a French Bulldog at home.
Mr. Chow is highly stereotyped as an effeminate "Chinaman" with "small Chinese balls" who is also a homosexual. His presence was troubling and it was not due to his "orientation".
The only reason why I gave this movie 3 stars was because of the beautiful images of Las Vegas. The cinematography's lovely in these scenes.
Overall, my impression of this movie seems to be a closer look into the relationships of bachelors and the dark secrets that they keep. It feels like more of a black comedy if one looks at the film from this perspective.