The Hangover Part III

In 2009, The Hangover took theaters by storm.  It was the tenth highest grossing film in that year and took the second highest grossing rated-R film spot from Beverly Hills Cop.  The most important statistic, though, is I enjoyed it.  I watched The Hangover countless times in the first year or so after its release.  When I read they were making a sequel I knew that if the writers took the characters and told a different story the movie would be awesome, but, alas, what did they do?  They basically remade the first movie.  The Hangover Part II was not just a rehashing of the first story, but a plot point by plot point redo.  Did I laugh at the second one?  Yes.  Did I buy the Blu-Ray?  No.  Will I watch the second one again?  Probably not.  So, I had obvious reservations on the third, and from what I hear final, installment on a film that didn’t have to be a trilogy. 

All that being said, I really enjoyed myself.

The Hangover Part III wasn’t as fun as the first Hangover, but the creators finally did what I said they should’ve done for the sequel.  They took the characters and created a story that built off the first movie, but didn’t rehash the same scenario.  In this movie, the gang is forced to hunt down Chow under the orders of Marshall, who is Black Doug’s boss and John Goodman, who I love.  There was no night of partying leading to a mystery adventure the next day, Stu didn’t have his face harmed, the story continued in a logical progression to an interesting new adventure.   The Hangover Part III strove to be its own story instead of copying the preceding movies, which they should’ve done before, so I must applaud them.

Not to say there were no call backs to the earlier movies, but all the call backs were justified and didn’t feel forced.  One of my favorite scenes is the cameo of Carlos, the baby from the first movie.  I don’t want to spoil the joke that scene revolves around, but it was hilarious.

My favorite character is probably John Goodman’s Marshall.  He is dangerous and funny and…well, John Goodman.  I’m not going to lie, I love everything John Goodman does, he’s like a third grandpa to me.  It’s strange, but true.  Maybe that comes from watching Rosanne every morning before school, maybe I have issues, but either way John Goodman is awesome.

So, if you are holding out on seeing The Hangover Part III, stop.  Go see it today.  Part III introduces new challenges for the characters pushing them in new directions and creating comedic moments that almost live up to the first.  I highly recommend this movie, surprising myself in the process. 

P.S. Stick around for the post-credit…mid-credit…whatever side of the credits it appears on, scene.  It is one of the funniest moments in the trilogy in my opinion.