The Hangover

Director Todd Phillips' career has been all over the place, ranging from hilariously great (Old School) to completely terrible (School for Scoundrels) with a whole lot of mediocre mixed in (Starsky and Hutch, Roadtrip). So it's hard to know what to expect going into one of his films. But I would have to say that The Hangover is definitely closer to the hilarious side.

Three groomsmen, too cool for school dick Phil (Bradley Cooper), whipped, uptight dentist Stu (Ed Helms) and odd, possibly mentally deranged, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) take their soon to married friend Doug (Justin Bartha) to Las Vegas for one last night of fun before the wedding. Only when they wake up in the morning they can't remember anything that happened, and Doug just happens to be missing, along with one of Stu's teeth. But they've managed to pick up a baby, and a tiger, along the way. They have to piece together what happened, find Doug and get back in time for the wedding. All while coping with a wicked hangover.

The plot of The Hangover is not especially complex, or   that interesting, but it gives the characters, and the actors,a lot of room to work. They're put in situations that inevitably lead to humor. They don't learn, or grow, but they are pretty dang funny.

It's nice to see actors that normally only get to work in supporting roles get a chance to shine. Usually these three guys (Cooper, Helms, and Galifianakis)are just comic relief, or a little side characters that isn't especially important. I've been a fan of Bradley Cooper's since Alias and Kitchen Confidential. He's perfectly cast in the role of a guy who really isn't all that likable. If you met him in real life you'd probably think he was kind of a dick. But really it's Helms and Galifianakis that steal the show.

Helms plays his character to his utmost, even going so far as to have a crown removed, leaving his gap-toothed grin. He's the very picture of the uptight, straitlaced guy who when he's a little inebriated becomes a complete wild man. His stress, energy and presence are the heart of the film. But the biggest laughs belong to Zach Galifianakis. He's completely unpredictable, taking chances that any sane person would never even go for. It's a pretty bold performance that should hopefully get him work for years to come. Make sure you stay through the credits to see the most shocking, and possibly hilarious part from Galifianakis.

It isn't just the main cast that bring the laughs though. Jeffery Tambor, Heather Graham, Mike Epps and Rob Riggle are pretty hilarious in small parts. Mike Tyson's cameo is just plain funny, and Ken Jeong may just be the funniest part of the entire movie, as he often is.

The Hangover isn't the smartest, most complex, or best movie in the world, but I sure had a good time with it. So I'd recommend it for that, and for some great comedic performances, if you're not easily offended (it earns its R rating).

Grade: B