Review: The Hangover Part III

Barely a Buzz

By Chris Sabga

Release Date: May 23, 2013 – U.S.

Rating: R

Genre: Comedy

Running Time: 100 minutes

Director: Todd Phillips         

Writers: Todd Phillips, Craig Mazin, 

Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, 

Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, 

John Goodman, Melissa McCarthy, 

Jeffrey Tambor, Heather Graham, Mike Epps

It's almost impossible to imagine now, but Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis weren't always massive stars. The original "Hangover" took the world by complete surprise when it was released in 2009. It remains a comedy classic. The sequel, which came out two years later, hardly felt original or fresh – it rehashed the formula almost exactly – yet, it still managed to be side-splittingly hilarious. "The Hangover Part III" brings back almost every major character from the series for its grand finale, but it isn't nearly as funny.

As the movie begins, Alan (Galifianakis) is cruising down the highway with his new pet – a giraffe. It's a funny sight gag at first, but it quickly becomes desperate and overwrought. It's impossible to suspend your disbelief for the scene's ridiculous "punchline." That ends up being a recurring issue in "Part III." The first "Hangover," even with its wild and crazy antics, was at least mostly plausible.

After Alan's giraffe gaffe, his friends – including his "Wolfpack" buddies Phil (Cooper), Stu (Helms), and Doug (Justin Bartha) – stage an intervention. He obviously needs severe mental help. It took them this long to come to that conclusion?

The Wolfpack hits the road. Everything is going according to plan. And then Black Doug (Mike Epps, reprising his role from the first film) runs into them – literally. This time, his boss is with him: Marshall (a menacing John Goodman) is looking for Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) and strongly "persuades" Phil, Stu, and Alan to find him.

Their journey will take them into Tijuana and back to Vegas where it all began. Along the way, they'll meet Cassie, a foul-tempered pawn shop owner (Melissa McCarthy), and reunite with Stu's "ex-wife," the prostitute Jade (Heather Graham).

I smiled and chuckled many times during "The Hangover Part III," but unlike the first two movies, I rarely felt myself succumbing to uncontrollable laughter. No deep, guttural belly laughs. You know the kind I mean.

(With that said, don't leave when the credits start rolling – or you'll miss by far the best and funniest scene in the film.)

However, there is one surprising area where "Part III" succeeds: emotionally. After three adventures, it's impossible not to feel a connection with these characters and recall their wild antics with a degree of fondness. This final outing brings everything back full circle. If nothing else, it's nice to spend time with these people again. However, I remember thinking the same thing about "Cocoon: The Return" and it's not like that was a great movie.

If "The Hangover Part III" had been able to combine its gooey emotional center with gigantic laughs, it would have made for a deeply satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Only a few hours after seeing it, very little sticks out in my mind. I'd call it a hangover, but I'm feeling barely a buzz. 

Review: Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Seek The Signs

By Chris Sabga

Release Date: March 16, 2012 (limited) – U.S.
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Running Time: 83 minutes
Directors: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Writers: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Cast: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Susan Sarandon,
Judy Greer, Rae Dawn Chong

"Jeff, Who Lives at Home" has one of the best openings I've seen in a while: the title character (played by Jason Segel) is sitting down talking about M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs" and how it may apply to his own life. His location isn't immediately obvious, and for some reason, he has a recorder in his hands. I fell in love with the movie right away.

Jeff is a stoner who (obviously) lives at home, in his mother's basement. Early on, he has to run an errand for his mom, Sharon (Susan Sarandon, somehow looking younger and better than ever). From there, Jeff encounters his brother, Pat (played by Ed Helms as sort of a darker, more uptight version of his character from "The Hangover"). Perhaps it's destiny? A sign? Or maybe Pat's wife, Linda (Judy Greer), is having an affair and he needs to enlist the unlikely aid of Jeff to figure out exactly what's going on. Meanwhile, Jeff is obsessed with a person – or people – named Kevin after receiving a call from one. A wrong number or a sign?  

With that kind of setup, don't expect a realistic narrative. It's a charming fable of sorts, with signs and destiny weaving their way through the lives of the characters.

Segel and Helms are superb as bickering brothers, and Susan Sarandon plays their mother with the perfect mix of impatience and resignation. As the film progresses, you can see that she carries around traits from both of her sons.

Judy Greer and screen veteran Rae Dawn Chong round out the cast. It is always a pleasure to see Dawn Chong, here as Sharon's co-worker, Carol. This character certainly has nothing in common with the one she played in perhaps her most famous role: the 1985 Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie "Commando." I will say no more.

With Segel and Helms as the stars, most people would probably go in expecting a rip-roaring comedy – but this is really a drama with some light, humorous moments.

Even though the story is filled with many unlikely coincidences (signs), everyone portrays a real human being. Because of that, I found myself really caring about each of their lives.

"Jeff, Who Lives at Home" is a simple but touching story with beautiful performances. Jason Segel, in particular, plays what might be the best role of his career.