To its credit, “The Hangover” transfers to the audience the smelly, still inebriated state that the title promises. Director Todd Phillips (“Old School”) is nothing if not relentless in his pursuit of a full, mixed sack of masculine stupidity at the hand of drink, drugs, and the dubious charms of Las Vegas.
In the interest of their soon-to-be-wedded pal Doug (Justin Bartha), best friends Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu (Ed Helms), let future brother-in-law Alan (Zach Galifianakis) come along for the ride to Vegas where the circumstances of their bachelor party celebrations spiral out of control.
A drunken night of childish carousing leaves the group missing their prime member Doug and sends the absentminded trio on a humor-riddled mission to reconstruct the night’s events and locate Doug in time to get him to his wedding on time.
A kidnapped tiger belonging to Mike Tyson, brushes with the police and criminals alike, and a missing tooth for Phil are just some of the painful humiliations that our motley group endure on their way to a clearer understanding of their transgressions.
Gratuitous sex, pratfalls, and goofy violence come with the territory in this over-the-top guys’ comedy.
A word to the wise, stay for the closing credit sequence to see a droll photo collage of outtake events from the lost hours of darkness.
Rated R. 99 mins.
