The Hangover - The RedHotPie review

Back in the early naughties, director, Todd Phillips had a cult smash with the debaucherous comedy Old School. The film reintroduced us to the fantastic frat-house comedy stylings that American cinema had been lacking for so long; it also introduced us to Will Ferrell’s arse.

Since then, Phillips has flirted with mainstream success but it took an unashamed return to juvenile humour to make his second great mark on the box office. The Hangover follows the chaotic travels of four men in Vegas for a bucks party. Of course something goes wrong and soon enough the groom to be goes missing leaving his three buddies to reconstruct the previous night’s tom foolery.

Unfortunately, not one of them can remember a damn thing so their super sleuthing kicks in leading them on a crazy chase through Vegas and some of her most colourful characters. We’re talking wild animals, random infants, recently acquired wives, naked tyre iron swinging kidnap victims and at least one former world heavy weight champ.

It’s not high brow comedy by any stretch, in fact, in keeping with that great Belushi-esque school of comedy it’s downright gutter humour, but it makes no apologies and pulls no punches which is the only way to make gutter humour pop, and The Hangover certainly pops.

While the entire ensemble bounce off each other wonderfully throughout the film, the biggest laughs come from relative newcomer, Zach Galifianakis who plays the socially stunted Alan - a well meaning buffoon who’s desperation to fit in with the boys leads to some highly entertaining scenarios.

The Rain Man homage is particularly hilarious as Alan hits the casinos, desperate to make a bankroll the group need badly... his belief in the fact he can count cards is played upon throughout the film and the payoff is well worth the wait.

The Hangover is an instant comedy classic, the characters are strongly defined and I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Hangover 2 and 3 in the coming years.

If you do get along to see this one, be sure and stick around through the end credits. Some of the films biggest and most unexpected laughs can be found here.