FILM FREAK: 3 buckets
MOVIE GEEK'S REVIEW:
I was worried about this film. As my wife and I sat down in the theater, we both feared that the film we were about to see wouldn't be the film that the hilarious trailers have promised us.
And even though I felt slightly dirty after walking out of the theater, "The Hangover" is positively the funniest film so far this year. I'm talking "side-hurting" funny. It's everything you could've imagined and more.
The story is about three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during a drunken night in Las Vegas. The film follows them as they retrace their steps in order to find him before the church bells ring.
Probably the best choice Phillips made was to cast relatively unknown actors. The only guys you'll probably recognize are Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms. Cooper was recently featured in "He's Just Not That Into You" and "Wedding Crashers" while Helms is a regular on television's "The Office".
The standout though is Zack Galifianakis as Alan, the brother of the bride who doesn't really know the other guys, and has a screw or two loose. Everything that comes out of this character's mouth is absolutely hilarious. His delivery sells everything and this is definitely the performance that will make a star out of him.
Director Todd Phillips (from "Road Trip" and "Old School" fame) has finally made his comedic masterpiece. This is by far his best picture to date. The film is very well paced and tightly edited, and the jokes are played out very well.
We all know comedy isn't easy, and Phillips proves that he can create a very sharp and well-crafted funny movie.
I will probably be seeing this again in theaters. It's THAT good. Don't miss it.
3 and a half buckets.
FILM FREAK'S REVIEW:
I am in agreement with my geek counterpart that this is the funniest movie so far this year. While I am not quite as enthusiastic about how good it is, I still admit that it is very good.
Two days before his wedding, Doug and his three friends drive to Las Vegas for a blow-out bachelor party they'll never forget. But when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing. For some reason, they find a tiger in the bathroom and a six-month-old baby in the closet of their suite at Caesars Palace. The one thing they can't find is Doug. With no clue as to what transpired and little time to spare, the trio must retrace their hazy steps and all their bad decisions in order to figure out where things went wrong.
I literally laughed out loud multiple times throughout. It was well written and the comedic timing was excellent. I am surprised that the cast was as funny as they were, as they are relatively unknown actors.
Not since 'Superbad" have I enjoyed a non-sense comedy this much so I will definitely recommend it.
There are quite a few over the top moments where I am sure the uninformed might be offended so be warned. This movie is not for children.
3 Buckets.
