THE HANGOVER (2009)

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"The Hangover will leave you Vomiting from Laughter!"

My review of "The Hangover"

Hangovers are no laughing matter...unless you're referring to the Hilarious new comedy, "The Hangover!" This is the only kind to have.

The Todd Phillips (Old School) directed farce doesn't feature any big stars, unless you count Bradley Cooper, a rising star most memorable for playing a jackass in "Wedding Crashers". He plays a muted version of the same character taking a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas with his three other groomsmen friends for a last night of debauchery to send off his marrying friend (Justin Bartha, the guy who plays Nicolas Cage's partner in sleuthing in the National Treasure franchise.) Ed Helms, a performer/writer from Comedy Central's The Daily Show & The Office and Greek comedy god Zach Galifinakis round out the motley wolf pack.

The "plot" or wire hanger to hang a general's uniform of comedy medals concerns itself with put upon thirtysomething guys backtracking the whats, whys and wheres that the rude morning , after a hazy carnival night, deposits outlandish clues: a Tiger, a crying baby and a missing friend. The Hangover is like a comedic "Memento" or "Paycheck" where each revealed clue leads them down the proverbial rabbit hole: a missing tooth, a valet delivered police car to them, which derails a train of hard partying humiliations to gutbusting effect. This is the Funniest movie of 2009 and an instant classic. Sequel plans were already made before it was released...it's that good.

The breakout star here is Zach Galifinakis, the bearded absurdist comic seen doing standup on latenight shows, the web, small movie roles and the hilarious lip synching turn in Fiona Apple's "Not about Love" music video. He's all over the place...this movie will crown the newest comedy king. He plays a nebbish/loopy brother of the bride whose ingratiating disconnect and numbskull bewilderment is a tour de force...he's like a comic version of Heath Ledger's Joker, in that you're always riveted with what he'll say or do next. I can't wait to see the DVD's outtakes...

Other highlights include Mr. Chow (Ken Jeoung) as an effeminate crime lord holding their missing friend for $80K ransom who has a flair for branding his lines with tongue twisting aplomb...mudderfuuuuuukaaa! I won't spoil his introduction scene, but, suffice it to say that the audience was keeling over with pissing themselves laughter. The "Tiger Song" sung by Ed Helms at the piano, reflecting their litany of woes is fantastic too. The police precinct taser torture, etc...

Make sure to stay during the end credits that slideshow the photos of their night taken with their camera found wedged in the vintage Mercedes convertible seats...Wicked funny!!

There are many, many other lines and scenes, too many to remember...I'm strungout and aching from The Hangover...anybody have any ibuprofen?