Review: 'Hangover Part II' Offers New Locales, But Same Story

By Michael Lopez

It's doubtful that any negative review of The Hangover Part II will turn off die-hard "Wolfpack" fans. People who loved the first movie will definitely find themselves rolling over with laughter at Part II's over-the-top Bangkok storyline. But, if you're looking for something totally new and original, this film doesn't quite live up to the hype.

Admittedly, The Hangover seems like a tough movie to repeat. Based on the antics of three buddies who take their Vegas partying too far, there could be several different ways to approach Part II. Do you follow the guys' lives after their Sin City trip? Do you send new characters off on another bachelor party? Or do you just replicate all of the elements from the original film? For this sequel, they've chosen the latter.

Copying the exact same formula of The Hangover, director and co-screenwriter Todd Phillips has brought back the entire principal cast and transported them to Thailand. But, seeing how Part I is now the highest-grossing R-Rated comedy of all time, it's hard to blame him. Plus, it's abundantly clear from other popular franchises that rehashed story-lines equal big box office bucks.

The only issue here is how closely the two films resemble each other. Sure the three main characters of Stu (Ed Helms), Phil (Bradley Cooper), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) are now trapped in Bangkok instead of Vegas, but that can't erase the "been there, done that" feeling that encompasses this movie. Part I had a baby, Part II has an old man. Part I had a tiger, Part II has a monkey…you get the drift.

Granted, if you were one of the few people who didn't see the original movie, then we highly recommend Hangover II. Its detective comedy elements are fun to piece together and there is actually more high-powered action in the sequel than there was in Part I. Plus, the filmmakers did a great job capturing the exotic beauty of Thailand.

But, if you caught the first Hangover back in 2008 (as many of us did), you may find yourself utterly disappointed. Even the mystery elements of the missing Wolfpack member (this time the little brother of Stu's wife-to-be) seem like a carbon copy. Yes there are a handful of laughs, particularly a LMFAO Mike Tyson cameo, but not quite enough to warrant a full-priced movie ticket.

Bottom line: Though The Hangover Part II has its moments, it feels way too similar to the original film. Say what you will about Stranger Tides, at least they sent Jack Sparrow on a brand new adventure. Here the guys are making the exact same mistakes and acting none the wiser. But, if you can hang in there until the bitter end, there is another great R-Rated photo montage that "almost" makes up for it.

Are you planning on watching The Hangover Part II? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Mike Tyson, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás, The Hangover 2, The Hangover Part II, The Wolfpack, Todd Phillips, Zach Galifianakis