Overview
Film: The Hangover
Release Date: June 5, 2009
Reception
IMDB: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomato - TOMATOMETER: 78%
Rotten Tomato - Audience: 84%
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $35,000,000
Gross US: $277,322,503
Gross Worldwide: $467,483,912
Trailer:
Plot
Synopsis: Three buddies wake up from a bachelor party in Las Vegas, with no memory of the previous night and the bachelor missing. They make their way around the city in order to find their friend before his wedding.
Analysis: This film could have easily been just a linear storyline of a group of guys in Vegas during a bachelor party. It's the fresh, investigative storytelling that sets it apart from other comedies in its genre.
Grade: 9.1/10
Character Development
Analysis: Overall, this ensemble works together perfectly. As you're watching it, you can easily relate each of their characteristics to people in your everyday life.
Phil - Everyone has a Phil in their group. "That Guy" that always tries to push the limits in any situation and talk your group into pretty much anything. Bradley Cooper plays this role perfectly. He walks the perfect line between being an asshole and likable. This balance leads to the perfect payoff during the end scene when he shows how much he truly cares about his family.
Best Quote: "It's the weekend, Budnick. I don't know you. You do not exist."
Comedy Rating - 9.2/10
Stu - Stu has one job in this film. Remind everyone that they don't remember what happened last night, and that he's not happy about it. This character was saved during the first viewing with a few jokes, but overall his character feels played out upon rewatch.
Best Quote: "I look like a nerdy hillbilly!"
Comedy Rating - 4.2/10
Allen - Galifianakis struck gold with this role. It's no wonder that his career absolutely took off after this film's release. It's a rare comedic performance that the character truly delivers upon every scene they're in.
Best Quote: "Hello. How 'bout that ride in? I guess that's why they call it Sin City."
Comedy Rating - 9.8/10
Grade: 8.1/10
Conflict
Analysis: All of the drama is derived off of the night they don't remember. Even though the main conflict is to find Doug, the film slowly uncovers new obstacles to help the film pace out perfectly. This all culminates in a final face-off with Mr. Chow, who would go on to become a major part of the franchise...for better or for worse.
Grade: 7.0/10
Supporting Cast
Doug - "We look at these pictures together, OK? One time. And then we delete the evidence."
Mike Tyson - "Like you said - we all do dumb shit when we're fucked up."
Black Doug - "Why not floories"
Jade - "Well, technically I'm an escort, but stripping's a great way to meet the clients." "But that's all in the past, now that I married a doctor."
Sid - "Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
Melissa - "And don’t forget to use it. I can totally tell when you forget, your hair just looks thinner."
Officer Franklin - "Shut that baby up!"
Analysis: All of these characters had a limited runway in the plot, but consistently helped flesh out the story. Even characters like Doug and Jade didn't add a lot from the comedic side, but perfectly helped flesh out the emotional aspects of our main characters.
Grade: 8.4/10
Intangibles
Analysis: This film does an amazing job at packing two great comedy stories into one. You have the main plot that follows the the group as they slowly solve the mystery. Just when you think the movie is wrapped, they take you on a magical mid-credit look into the actual comedic events of the night.
Also, the bromance between Allen and Stu never gets old.
Grade: 8.2/10
Best Moments
Final Score
Analysis: I'll always remember this film for being a great theater experience. The theater was filled with non-stop laughter throughout the entire film, especially during the ending credits. The biggest question against groundbreaking comedies like this, is will the stand the test of time? As we hit the 10 year anniversary of its release, there are definitely jokes that feel out of place, but overall it's a great rewatch.
Grade: 9.2/10
Image Credits: Warner Brothers
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