Iffy for 17+
Funny, yes, but chock-full of alcohol-fueled adult content.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this hilarious but extremely raunchy comedy from the director of Old School is decidedly not for younger teens. Let's face it: The movie's whole premise involves drinking and being drugged. There's lots of comedic violence, sex, substance abuse, and over-the-top language. While you could stretch and suggest that there's a message about friendship and responsibility, that's like suggesting that Twinkies and soda contain some vitamin C. Still, this movie is turning out to be the teen buzz movie of the summer of 2009. Parents also need to know that this review is for the rated version of this film.
- Families can talk about the ritual of the bachelor party -- is it a chance for real bonding or simple immature excess?
- Families can also discuss the image of Las Vegas as a playground forgrown-ups; how much of that is innocent fun, and how much of it issimply seedy marketing language?
- Finally, families can talk about the film's excessive depiction of violence, sex, and substance abuse -- is the film condoning or glorifying this kind of behavior?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's message is, at best, a little muddled; while the three main characters pay a price for their misadventures -- beatings, dehydration, sunburn, and more -- everything works out well in the end.
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Role models: Friends act despicably, but pay the price. While some female characters are depicted as life partners andpositive influences, some are depicted as nagging harridans or simple sex objects.
What to watch for
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Violence: Beatings, vehicular mayhem, the use of stun guns on "volunteers" in front of children (with children, in two cases, operating the stun guns/tazers), beatings with crowbars, and a gunshot wound to an innocent bystander. One character spends much of the film lamenting an excised tooth -- a bleeding, gaping wreck of a lost incisor. Some gunplay. A baby is hit in the head with a car door and is present during a few scenes of peril.
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Sex: Extensive male and female nudity, including nude buttocks and breasts. Discussion of sexual acts, techniques, and one character's work as an "escort." Photos of nudity and explicit sexual acts (including glimpsed male genitalia) in the closing-credits montage. Explicit discussions of infidelity, one-night stands, and other acts. Mimed mock bestiality for comedic effects. A character notes that he cannot be within 200 yards of "A school ... or a Chuck E. Cheese," implying that he's on some kind of serial offender watchlist.
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Language: Extensive, inventive, and constant vulgarity, including "f--k" and its derivations, "ass," "f--got," "douchebag," "whore," "gay," "hell," "shaft," "s--t," "Jesus," "semen," "retard," "bitch," "goddamn," "oh my God," "butt," "weenus," "bastard," "balls," "assholes," "nuts,"Â and much, much more.
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Consumerism: Mentions and on-screen display of brands includes many mentioned as plot points, including Caesar's Palace, Mercedes-Benz, Chuck E. Cheese, Rogaine, Monster Energy Drink, Gremlins, Indiana Jones, Rain Man, Jagermeister, Carnival Cruises, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The entire film revolves around excessive drinking and drug abuse. Characters drink beer, wine, and hard liquor to excess. A character thinks he's giving his friends Ecstasy without their consent but is, in fact, giving them "Roofies," the "date rape drug." Mentions of cocaine, crystal meth, and crank abuse. Drunk driving is implied. Photos in the closing-credits montage depict cocaine use. Reference to marijuana. It's worth noting that the brutal consequences of drug and alcohol abuse -- aches, memory loss, vomiting, humiliation, and despair -- are depicted unflinchingly.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
I laughed so hard, I pee'd myself a little.. by Kyle_Adkins
It's been a really long time since I laughed as hard as I did for this film. This movie centers around 4 friends, one of which is becoming married, and the other 3 are throwing a secret bachelor party for in Las Vegas. The group manages to get so wasted they cannot recall the events of the night, which leads to a ridiculously funny attempt of remembrance. I would honestly like to indulge further, but I feel I run the risk of ruining the plot and hilarious random bits of the movie.
Disclaimer:
However, I would like to point out there is a rated "R" branded on this flick for a reason. I have seen a few complaints from some of the fanbase on Fandango complaining about what a grotesque movie this is... Please take a moment to stop coloring in your little book before you see a movie and pay attention to the rating, this way you know what is, and isn't appropriate for you and your children
5
A Hangover You'll Enjoy by reallyreelreviews
I am usually turned off by movies that bombard you with previews months out, especially comedies because you get that feeling that all the funny parts will be shown over the course of all the previews. That is not the case with The Hangover. In fact, most of the funny parts shown in the previews were "dumbed" down in order to even be allowed to air on television. This movie is absolutely ridiculous, hysterical, and unlilke the backdrop of the film itsself - this movie is unforgettable. The runtime is perfect, it is nice, clean and simple and does not slowdown in order to work in its resolution.
For full reviews on The Hangover and other movies tune into really reel reviews on blog talk radio: blogtalkradio.com/reallyreelreviews
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5
The Greatest Story Ever Told...No, but I'm still laughing days later. by Cal Varnson
First of all, this was a very smart, gross, dark, crude, hilarious and obnoxious film that had me in tears throughout the film. Yes, this subject has been done to death, but not to this level of enjoyment. I haven't enjoyed a Vegas bachelor party film this much since "Very Bad Things" and I would have to rate this higher. My wife enjoyed this film as much as me and she commented how rare it is to see a film that is consistently funny from start to finish. My expectations were very high after all of the hype leading up to the release of this film and it didn't disappoint.
The director does a great job setting the stage for a night no one can remember. Each role was cast perfectly with Zach Galifianakis stealing the show. Make sure you don't leave early and miss the slide-show during the credits. Freaking hilarious!!!!
If you are easily offended by crude humor, then this isn't the movie for you.
Thank you, Todd Phillips for another over-the-top, laugh-out-loud masterpiece
5
Surprised! by hockeyratt9
I was initially not at all excited for this movie. The previews looked ridiculous, immature, and repetitive. I was coerced into going with a group of people of varying ages (from 20-55), and I was honestly shocked by how much I enjoyed it! There is MUCH more of a plot than the previews lead you to assume and I found practically the entire movie to be funny (which is a rarity).
I also found that the older you are, the less likely you are to enjoy it. 20 thought it was hilarious, 38 thought it was pretty good, 55 thought it was stupid. Just keep that in mind if you're a bit older :)
I really liked it and would probably go see it again (which doesn't happen often).
5
Funniest Movie Of Year... by mikeshore
Keeping it simple. My 26 year old son went with his girlfriend, and they laughed the whole movie as did the audience. And my 19 year old went with his girlfriend, same experience. Finally my 56 year old wife went with her 57 year old husband and we LOVED it and had a smile on the whole movie and we laughed out loud many times. A truly funny movie and well written. My 19 year old went to see Year One last night and said it was tough to see a comedy after The Hangover coz none are at that level. Go see it.
5
Funniest Movie I've Ever Seen by SleeplessInAustin
Great treatment of the old bachelor party theme.
5
FREAKING HILARIOUS!! by lizard-stefani
If you like funny movies and are not easily offended or grossed out then GO see it!
I am a girl, and I went with my husband, we just about died of laughter. It is non stop too, from begining to end. The end was CLASSIC!
I just might see it again in the theatre but I will definetly own the dvd when it comes out.
Everyone in the theatre laughed hard. Just to be warned: they show male frontal nudity! not really many scenes with female nudity (which was good from the girl's standpoint, I can count the scenes on 1 hand)
I thought this was going to be a guy vegas trip movie, ( you know beer, boobs and sex) and it was SO not that way at all. Great movie all around!
Go See it NOW!
5
Freaking hilarious! by jerzeegirl
I must admit I went to see the movie because Bradley Cooper is HOT! But I came out of it thinking this is the funniest movie I've seen in a long time. From beginning to end, I couldn't stop laughing. So many classic scenes. The acting and script was dead-on perfect. I didnt even want to go to the bathroom in fear of missing something. And the credits at the end was just icing on the cake. If you are easily offended by foul-language, nudity, drugs, drinking-this is not the movie for you (go see Ice Age). Definitely very adult humor (parents leave your kids home...again go see Ice Age). Can't wait to see it again and get the dvd! LMAO!
5
Great movie! by cnote0275
Very funny, stupid humor as well as witty humor, mixed in with a good story line. I would recommend seeing this movie!
5
Hilarious! by aveagles16
Funniest movie i have seen this summer by a landslide!