Thread: The Hangover 2

Just watched it today... while I had a few hearty laughs... it features two of my most hated conventions.

1. "The Urkel" - In this case Alan... the character who is so completely horrible in their behavior that any and all characters would be completely justified in their hatred for and ostracism of but because said character displays a moment of intense vulnerability or weakness the audience, and therefore the main characters, are sucked into feeling sorry for them and forgiving their otherwise unforgivable behavior.

Michael Scott on The Office is a perfect example of that kind of character... in fact Steve Carrell played the same kind of character in Dinner For Shmucks. It's stupid and lazy and insulting and I'm tired of it.

2. The sacrifice of "non-essential" characters being overshadowed or ignored by the triumph of "essential" characters.

Teddy loses a finger presumably ending his prospects at becoming either a cello player or a surgeon. His life was in danger and he was forever disfigured..... but it's ok because Stu learned how to stand up to his domineering future Father-In-Law. We never get any kind of emotional resolution on Teddy's story just the obligatory "I know I almost died and you guys involved me in the kinds of activities that could not only have killed me but worse could have made my remaining life some kind of grotesque nightmare..... BUT I FELT HAPPY SO IT'S ALL GOOD!"



A few laughs sure... and yes... Todd Phillips is willing to include male genitalia in his comedy pallette but I hardly think that qualifies as "dark".

I give it a good solid C+.

wow Doc...with all that Cello/Doctor finger stuff you presented a MAJOR spoiler that I avoided. Hurm.

And yes...Alan was 'full-retard'. Diminished his believability. I agree on both points, and I think it kept this movie from a really solid dark comedy.

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

wow Doc...with all that Cello/Doctor finger stuff you presented a MAJOR spoiler that I avoided. Hurm.

And yes...Alan was 'full-retard'. Diminished his believability. I agree on both points, and I think it kept this movie from a really solid dark comedy.

Spoilers shmoilers... if those movies aren't going to take their own plots seriously then neither am I... and I don't accept the "it's just a stupid comedy" argument.

well...I don't disagree with you at all. In fact, those were the 2 overriding factors for me too. While I agree that all movies need to be more responsible...we both know that ain't gonna happen(especially with mega sequels to top$$$$ movies). I was impressed with how far they fook the Stu loves him some strippers gag. That was some seriously dark stuff.

And, for the first time in a while I will argue in FAVOR of Mel Gibson. If he had been cast as the Tattoo artist it would have had just the right weight.

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

well...I don't disagree with you at all. In fact, those were the 2 overriding factors for me too. While I agree that all movies need to be more responsible...we both know that ain't gonna happen(especially with mega sequels to top$$$$ movies). I was impressed with how far they fook the Stu loves him some strippers gag. That was some seriously dark stuff.

Was it? I mean... really?

And, for the first time in a while I will argue in FAVOR of Mel Gibson. If he had been cast as the Tattoo artist it would have had just the right weight.

I totally agree. The entire time he was on screen I kept thinking "I wish that was Mel Gibson or Liam Neeson".

Yeah, for an American movie...a sequel to a Holla for a $$$$$$ sequel...yeah it was.

Saw it this weekend and pretty much agree with Doc (*shudder*) and JD. It had some good funny bits, but felt lazy. I hope whatever Todd Phillips decides to do next, he tries something a little different.

Could 'Hangover 3' Be Amsterdam-Bound? - The Hollywood Reporter

Originally Posted by adgy-san

Could 'Hangover 3' Be Amsterdam-Bound? - The Hollywood Reporter

I told Kingsqueen that a third one should focus on Alan(Galifinakis) getting married. And it should be a same sex marraige. There is a lot of material there and the God hates____ folks will line up as soon as it gets announced.