When it's funny, it's hilarious. When it's lame, it's painful.

Rating: 6/10 (8 August 2013)

The Hangover Part III is pretty different from the first two films. The comedy remains vulgar, crass and rude. There are scenes of murder, animal cruelty and racism, so it's another day at the office for director Todd Phillips and his team. The difference with this one is the fusion of the action-thriller genre. Some scenes are surprisingly serious and intense. Don't get me wrong, this is still primarily a comedy, but there's a certain level of malice here that makes it feel both fresh and uncomfortable. It isn't easy to find the comedy in the suffocation of a rooster or the cold-blooded execution of a man into a pool. At least the plot-line here doesn't repeat the blueprint from number one.
The thriller element aside, the comedy is mostly still here. Zach Galifianakis once again takes the spotlight as the juvenile Alan and Ken Jeong gets a much bigger role this time round. They both provide laughs, but they're also both quite irritating. The great thing about the first film is that Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms provided a relief of sorts from the moronic actions of these two characters, not any more. Their collective craziness get thrust into the foreground and it becomes a little exhausting.
In terms of comedy, The Hangover Part III does provide laughs, but it isn't consistent. When it's funny, it's hilarious. When it's lame, it's painful. Todd Phillips can certainly direct comedy well (he has also directed Road Trip and Old School) and he delivers some pretty funny moments. He has definitely upped the style in his direction this time round. Some sequences are stylishly directed and choreographed, others are annoyingly self-absorbed.
All in all, The Hangover Part III is a mixed bag. There are things to enjoy and there are things to dislike. It's better than the second entry, but it still isn't close to the first. Kudos to the team for attempting to do something a little different with the last film in the trilogy, too.
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