Could have been better

Rating: 5/10 (2 June 2011)

The hangover films fall into this category where you have to just enjoy them for what they are and not think about them. They are very purely entertaining, on a simple level. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I'm just saying maybe we shouldn't judge these films on the same criteria we would a film that's attempting be be something else, such as Black Swan, which is one of the biggest contrasts you could draw from the hangover films.
There's a distinct lack of believability to the plot line of this sequel, as was true about the first film. Things happen often without true or thought through cause, which I suppose is intended to be an element of comedy, but sometimes I find it is taking a short cut to laughs, and achieving them on a cheaper level. It's much harder to get laughs about more believable situations, and the trademark of these hangover films seems to be cheap laughs.
Did someone hit repeat? Many of the narrative sub-structures, in addition to the main plot line, seem to follow the first film. The beginning and resolution are pretty much exactly the same as in the prequel.
I found the idea of a smoking monkey frankly disturbing, not funny as the filmmakers tried to pass it off. It paints dark reflections of animal cruelty and anthropomorphising in our society which are key issues, and this film tries to make them funny... I don't think it works, and no one else in the cinema seemed to laugh either. I thought the human race was getting past the idea of novelty from animal cruelty?
Cinematography needs to be noted also, generally average. They seemed to put a lot of effort into getting really beautiful establishing shots, then slack off for every other shot. Furthermore they seemed to follow conventions and not try anything experimental or different. A bit of a disappointment if I'm honest.
I know my review so far may lead you to believe differently, but I actually enjoyed the film overall. I just wouldn't like to see it again. I think the film is worth a watch once you will likely get a few laughs even if there are prolonged moments when it's just boring and predictable and one of the key jokes relying on the exploitation of transsexual characters by supporting backwards stereotypes.