Your typical comedy but with a twist and a deep message!

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2011)

The 2011 hit comedy returns with the movie Hangover Part 2 directed by Todd Phillips. It received a lot of criticism for not meeting audience's expectations and being a rewrite of the original movie. Yet this movie surpassed all competition by becoming the number one rated R comedy movie (gross wise). Yes this movie has a lot of repetition but you have to look beyond that, you have to search for the message within the movie. A lot of the criticism received was because people felt as if the movie could've been better and more thought should've been put into it but the message is that this is a reflection of our society and the direction it is heading in.
The film elements used are evident throughout the whole movie. The clash of two cultures with Stu getting married to Lauren where you see east meets west. How the father doesn't approve of the marriage at first is something that we see all around us in modern society whether it be because of one's social status, their beliefs, or just because of where you come from. Especially in western cultures where it's harder to marry someone from there if you are American because of your culture and where you come from. Another issue raised is drug trafficking but that as we know happens all over the world.
What does this movie does that's so great is that it incorporates comedy with real life problems. Yes we see the typical stereotype with Laurens younger brother who is a genius and it's because he's Asian, and we all know that one person in school who doesn't even break a sweat and yet he's valedictorian. All of the messages in the film are universal and aren't just restricted to western culture its everyday problems around the world. Another message is when Stu comes to get married it's a difficult decision from him to go from the fun, free lifestyle with his friends to a more serious role as a husband in a family. Truly this is a problem many people can't adjust to the responsibility of being father or a husband and it's one of the many reasons why there is a decline in marriages and a rise in divorces.
Another film element and something that is relevant to our own experiences is what happens when you get drunk or when you have a hangover we know it can lead to many things but in the movie itself it leads to Stu ending up with a tattoo, they end having started a riot, meeting a former friend and drug lord etc. Of course the chances of these things happening are slim and this is why the movie is a comedy it truly shows us the risks of being high or drunk. How your actions can lead to having children you didn't plan on having or doing something like getting a tattoo that you may end up regretting for the rest of your life. This movie attempts to change some people's opinions on life most people are adapting to the modern age of technology but its addressed to those who believe we are not heading on this path and they are in denial. Overall this movie was entertaining and had a deep message that could be interpreted in many ways but in the end it shows us the road we are paving for ourselves and the future that is yet to come.