Ocean's Twelve Part Two

Rating: 4/10 (30 June 2011)

Okay, it might be unfair to compare The Hangover Part II to the part two of the George Clooney's Ocean's series. After all, I am one of the rarities that actually liked Ocean's Twelve and at least Danny's gang changed the plot for their second outing while this "wolf-pack" literally modeled their sequel after the first movieline by line. Shot by shot.
Okay, that all said, let's compare. Shall we?
Both Ocean's Twelve and The Hangover Part II's source movies began in Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A while the sequels took place in another continent. Twelve and II had superior and hilarious origins and followed up by "how did this happen again" premises. And (HOPEFULLY) the third segment of (the inevitable) The Hangover Part III will be the "make-up" movie Ocean's Thirteen was, much like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was to Temple of Doom. (Okay, that last part is jumping ahead a bit)
I literally watched The Hangover Part II to laugh. I needed it, after a long, LONG, week of work & dentist (long story) stress. Unfortunately, minimal laughter came from me. Slightly from the reoccurring character "Mr. Chow" (Ken Jeong) and mostly from "Alan" (Zach Galifianakis.)
I'll admit: it just wasn't that funny. I got quickly past the "it's EXACTLY the same as part one – aside from the locale" part. That was obvious. I was at least hoping for something new or fresh, of which, I got neither. I did get a good, and different, look at Bangkokone that the tourist industry doesn't want you to see. And believe it or not, it did serve as a good, though mediocre "mystery" while watching these blind fools retrace their stepsagain.
Okay.so we have the same gang from the original (Phil, Stu, Alan, sometimes Doug and Mr. Chow at times) who travel to Thailand for Stu's wedding along with the clichéd, disapproving father. Eh, forget that last part, cuz it's so insignificant to the synopsis of the foolish group of men who misplaces the bride's brother, Teddy (Mason Lee) during a drunken night of mischief.
Have you seen the superior, The Hangover? Stick with that. I did really like that original first movie. And unless you're a Die-hard fan of these characters that do, say and act the same in this inferior follow-up, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, skip the sequel.
I have a feeling, The Hangover Part III will be the apology both Last Crusade and Ocean's Thirteen were. For that, I'll give the third hangover a shot. But, for now, I've experienced more entertaining "real" hangovers than this movie gave me