Good fun, but lightning didn't strike twice

Rating: 8/10 (27 May 2011)

With sequels, the question is always whether to do more of the same, or whether to do something completely different. Wisely, perhaps, the producers of Hangover 2 have decided to go for more of the same. They have correctly concluded that what enabled them to catch lightning in a bottle first time round was an engaging mixture of an intriguing premise, well conceived characters, a plot line which held your attention as the mystery of what had happened was gradually unwrapped, excellent ensemble playing, and a very funny script.
All the above are present and correct second time round, with the added bonus of some exotic locations - the disastrous bachelor party takes place in Thailand instead of Las Vegas - and, perhaps, a more dangerous set of problems to unravel.
While this is all very enjoyable, it remains essentially a re-run of the first film in a more humid climate, so it doesn't have the benefit of unexpectedness from which its predecessor benefited. When the inevitable Hangover 3 appears, I think it needs to investigate going in a different direction.
This film does not need the bad language which is in it. Some would have been OK, but there are places where it is distractingly unwelcome.
While Zach Galifianakis reprises the idiot from another planet which was his breakthrough role in the first movie, Ken Jeong remains, for me, the jewel in the crown.