DVD Review - The Hangover (2009)

Movie Review: 'The Hangover' is something of a surprise, a kind of genre film that fits the "crazy comedy, but somehow doing it in a very clever, witty and yes, funny way. The film is a fantasy for boys, but there is much to enjoy for everyone in this caper about a group of guys on a bachelor party in Las Vegas the next morning awoke to find that not only can they not remember what happened, but they have to find out for themselves the trouble they get themselves in that they have no memory. Much of what works in "The Hangover" is absurd, but smart script, which is used to great extent by a strong director and the great chemistry he gets all those involved. Despite a slow and uneven start, "The Hangover" is a very nice, and unlike many comedies, has replay value thanks to timeless jokes and setting.The film opens with a flash-forward to a scene that takes place at the end of the film. Phil (Bradley Cooper) is a call to the bride to be that they may have lost the groom. Then we have two days where we go back the boys together, ready to go on their journey. This whole set-up, although necessary for the characters and their relationships to determine, is the weakest part of the film, thanks to the fact that it is long and slow, with only a moment or two of comedy that hints at what there seems to be strangely out of place with what you are watching. During these sequences would wonder whether this film actually goes somewhere or put in a disappointing bore. But thanks to a fantastic time-lapse transition from night to day, the film jumps over the bachelor party the next morning, where we see the boys hung on, this is where the fun really begins.Dissolving to a close-up of Stu (Ed Helms), performed on the floor passing a chicken appears behind him, walking slowly over the frame. The immediate impulse to laugh as you wonder, what does a chicken in their Vegas suite? In the comedy "The Hangover" follows this pattern of "what?" jokes, but somehow manages to advance the play when we learn how these things happen, but unfortunately for the explanation of the appearance of the chicken. Alan's (Zach Galifianakis) discovery of a tiger in the bathroom of the suite is hilarious, like any discovery after manic including Stu who somehow pulled his tooth and am married to a stripper named Jade (Heather Graham), is A baby in a side room, she stole a police car, she lost the groom Doug (Justin Bartha), and they somehow tasks both Mike Tyson (hilariously playing himself) and an effeminate Chinese gangster.Despite the folly the idea, director Todd Phillips and his cast make any real humor and fascinating, and as such, have a hilarious movie. Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms are excellent in their role as Phil and Stu, but the surprise here is Zach Galifiankis Alan, his character could have easily slapstick comedy stereotype, and his first few scenes suggest that he has become a stupid character, but in the course of the film, he is very endearing and three dimensional, like all other characters do. In this respect, the film from many others in the same genre. "The Hangover" is fun, and has repeat value. While the first twenty minutes of the film medium, the film hits high gear by the second act, so you want more.TECHNICAL REVIEW: The spectacular visuals stand out in this DVD transfer. Although the film is a comedy, the filmmakers constructed some magnificent views of Vegas who faithfully represented here. The colors are strong and lively, and the picture itself is very clean and fresh. The audio is also excellent, again making good use of the surround channels despite the fact that a comedy that has not traditionally a strong surround environments.EXTRAS REVIEW: There are only a few extras on this DVD. The most important is the "Map Of Destruction" which at first is a bit confusing because it looks like a DVD menu, but if you realize it is actually playing a series of behind the scenes clips automatically, it works. Unfortunately, the clips are quite short and does not provide all that much behind the scenes other than a good section on how cooperative Caesars Palace was the production. There is a hilarious video clip of the "Three Best Friends' song, and a gag reel. Not much excitement here about.BOTTOM LINE: Rent it.