Monkey See, Hollywood Do

Rating: 3/10 (7 June 2011)

This film is not recommended.
" When a monkey nibbles on a penis, it's funny in any language." That's just an example of the typical one-liners found in The Hangover Part II, and no, this film is not funny in any language at all. ( Well, maybe in Yiddish. )
This film hit the trifecta for me: I laughed a total of three times, and two of those were due to a talented imp of a monkey named Crystal. This mostly humorless sequel to the original hit comedy franchise follows its same tired formula ad nauseam. Scene for scene is so smugly similar to the series' first successful film that any moviegoer might easily get confused, except this one cranks up the raunch factor and sprinkles in more nudity and isn't remotely as funny as the 2009 version.
The Hangover Part II is poorly directed by Todd Philips who was more effective with his original version. The film boasts lousy production values and one of the worst renditions of One Night in Bangkok that has ever been recorded. The writing discredit goes to five writers this time around and they shall remain nameless as to not further embarrass their family or friends, ( although the director is one of them and needs to be held accountable for his lack of finesse and management skills with the cast and crew in both areas of production. To say that he is a double threat gives new meaning to the term. ). This latest script is so disappointing and boring compared to the other film. The forerunner, at least, provided genuine laughs back then with its earlier unique premise and only had two different scribes for that surprising box office success.
The same ole boys are back, with decidedly mixed results. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis as Phil, Stu, and Alan disrespectively, of course. This trio of misfits seems at odds from the start and their interactions now are mostly shrill and quite routine. Its faithful young audiences may have come to accept their roles and and expect their predictable interaction as they did before: Phil is the leading man or ringleader in charge of the shenanigans, Stu is the hapless victim, and Alan is the crazy wiseguy type providing comic relief. ( Justin Bartha as Doug is along for the ride and he again disappears before all hell breaks loose in Bangkok, the scene of the crime / wedding. ) I expected more from these talented actors.
Again, they awaken from a stupor, not knowing what went on the previous night and slowly piece together the mystery while searching for the bride's missing brother. Ken Jeong also returns as the highly volatile Mr. Chow and he wears out his welcome very fast. Incidents occur that have more long lasting repercussions to the boys, yet no one seems to acknowledge that problem throughout the film. In fact, some of the results from their hangover are glossed over and quickly explained in the film's end credits. I guess it's too much work to incorporate those details into the formulaic plot.
I couldn't wait for The Hangover Part II to be over. It's pretty sad when the pet monkey outshines the monkeyshines perpetrated by the film's human cast. Hopefully, what happens in Bangkok will stay there permanently. However, I can already smell the stench of the next installment being planned. I shall not be attending. GRADE: C-