'The Hangover 2'

'The Hangover 2' (R) (2 stars)

Writers: Craig Mazin ,Scot Armstrong and Todd Phillips
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galfianakis, Ken Jeong, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Paul Giamatti, Mason Lee, Mike Tyson, Jeffrey Tambor

At first I was going to write a scathing review of "The Hangover 2" but it is what I would expect from a movie that copies the same set up of plot points from it's original. If you are only going to add more outrageous gross out humor that isn't funny then you are going to fail. Sorry folks the female prostitute that turns out to be a man isn't new or funny. The movie is funny only in smaller asides and quips by Galfiniakis. He is funny but the gross out gags are never inspired or funny, just gross. Ed Helms is also good because he is the only character that is likable. Now that wouldn't matter if this movie was funny like the original. Ken Jeong returns and was funny in the original but excruciating, annoying and not funny in this sequel.

The movie is also missing some female character that can bring something else like Heather Graham in the original. I only laughed when Galfiniakis said something funny and I really like Helms. The other problem is the movie brings back Mike Tyson but doesn't add any new funny cameos from any other pop icons. So what you have here are lame jokes, outrageous sight gags that are sick, icky and not funny and made me feel sick and uneasy. There is no fresh humor, just recycled stuff from the original that is notfunny or creative. The only funny sight gag involves a severed body part. Also when you have a great comic actor like Paul Giamatti as a gangster and give him a lame character that isn't funny you waste a golden opportunity. So the people who liked this sequel and think I am wrong and closed minded watch both movies later on and you might find I am right.