THE HANGOVER PART III – REVIEW

THE HANGOVER PART III – REVIEW

After Hangover Part II released, the film disappointed a lot of fans, as it offered nothing new to the series, it simply copied the formula of the first film and gave audiences the same film in a different setting. This time around director Todd Phillips promised audiences that Part III would be different from the first two, however you will be surprised at just how different this film truly is.

In the aftermath of the death of Alan's father, the Wolfpack decide to take Alan to get treated for his mental issues. But things start to go wrong on the way to the hospital as the Wolfpack is assaulted and Doug is kidnapped. Now they must find Mr. Chow again in order to surrender him to the gangster who kidnapped Doug in order to save him.

The film ditches its Hangovers, its rote adventure, its reverse narrative, its debauchery and fun, and yet it hardly offers audience anything compelling in return. The film does away with all its comedy, and replaces it with a dark action thriller. For a film series that’s all about its comedy this has to be quite the bizarre move.

The film will certainly alienate its audience who are looking to watch a film that will offer them a great sense of fun and excitement.

The film does offer some laughs yet they so few and far between as the film puts the weight of the comedy on Ken Jeong’s Chow and Zack Galifianakis’ Alan, who are best in small doses. Alan’s petulance quickly becomes over bearing and the joke gets old real quick and too much of Chow in the film is undoubtedly never a good thing.

Although it must be said that Part III certainly does close out the story, bringing together everything that has happened from the first film. It certainly is the finale to this entire adventure, however it’s probably not the finale fans will be hoping to see.

I’m actually quite bemused that Todd Phillips purposefully created a film that would quite frankly kill the film series for fans and any hope of a further sequel. The purpose of the film was sorely to have no one ask for a future installment and after watching Hangover Part III; I don’t think anybody would want to see another Hangover film ever.

It definitely is a shame that the Hangover series will be going out on such a low note, as the first film was certainly something that no one expected to be as big as it was.

The Hangover series is probably the perfect example of how to effectively milk and then kill off your franchise.

Truthfully the film isn’t really that bad, if the film wasn’t called Hangover, I would probably have more good to say about it then bad. Because truthfully the Hangover Part III isn’t that bad as a dark action thriller, but that’s the problem is it not?? We don’t expect the Hangover to be an action thriller, we expect laughs, and quite frankly the audience will look for things to laugh at but will not actually be that funny.

Bradley Cooper has been on quite a roll in recent years as his film choices have been pretty rock solid, but in this film his character, Phil certainly gets lost in this story. With the last two films we always see Phil taking the lead trying to figure things out, while in this film his just a passive observer to everything that goes on.

Even as an action thriller the film failed quite frankly as it undermines its own suspense and thrill with low quips and flat humour from Alan, which falls on its face and undermines the thrill.  

The Hangover Part III is an okay action thriller, but coming from a film series that’s big on its laughs, the Hangover Part III offers little at that. It’s a disappointment as a comedy, as a Hangover film and certainly as a finale to one of the most surprising outrageous film concepts in recent years.

Our Rating

3/10