The Hangover Review: To a Night We Won’t Ever Forget
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The Hangover
Director: Todd Phillips
9.5
Where to Watch The Hangover?
The Hangover is a hilarious film that brilliantly showcases how a seemingly simple bachelor party can spiral into a wild adventure. The chaos that ensues makes it shine, leaving audiences both laughing and contemplating life.
What Happens in The Hangover?
Phil, Stu, and Alan head to Las Vegas to have a bachelor party for their buddy Doug. After arriving, they unpack and hit Vegas HARD. The next morning Stu, Phil, and Alan all wake up with no memory of the previous night, and they realize Dough is missing. They have to figure out what happened the night before so they can find Doug and get him back in time for his wedding.
Who Are The Characters in The Hangover?
The Hangover features four key characters:
Stu: A cautious dentist who surprises everyone with his wild side after a night of excess.
Doug: The groom-to-be, who is notably absent for most of the movie, yet his presence looms large throughout the chaos.
Alan: Doug’s quirky brother-in-law, whose social awkwardness and unpredictable behavior add to the chaos.
Phil: A charismatic schoolteacher eager to make the most of the bachelor party, often leading the group into trouble.

The Hangover Review
The Hangover brings a type of comedy to the plate that nearly everyone, age-appropriate of course, will enjoy. It is a variety basket of comedy, and I think that is what makes it such a beloved movie. The characters are great, and the plot is relatable enough to make this a great movie to watch with a group.
The best part about this plot is the way almost anyone can relate to the idea of a crazy night gone terribly wrong. The group is made up of 4 very different characters that play off of each other and no matter who your friends are, you are going to immediately associate at least one person with each of the characters.
The plot moves along quite quickly, and the largely unknown night is both a great source of comedy as well as a solid mystery. This uncertainty for almost the entire movie keeps your brain turning with “what-ifs” and hypotheses, all while being bombarded by comedic moments.

The characters are awesome for a whole variety of reasons. First, they are polar opposites in many ways, and this creates tension between them. Because they are all still friends, this tension results in humour instead of escalating into anger.
Moreover, two characters undergo significant development; they evolve so much that they hardly resemble their original selves by the end. For example, Stu transforms from a timid dentist into a more assertive individual, particularly evident when he embraces the chaos rather than shying away from it. This character growth mirrors that of Vacation Friends, where unexpected circumstances lead to personal transformations.
The only downside I see is the lack of screen time for Doug. He was a character that I felt had some really great potential, both in the moment and looking back on the night in question. The plot centres around him not being there, but I think it would have added maybe 5-10 minutes of hilarious scenes if we had gotten his point of view of both the night and the following events.
In conclusion, The Hangover is a comedic gem that masterfully balances humor, character development, and a relatable premise. It avoids the common pitfall of sacrificing plot for laughs, instead delivering a story that resonates with anyone who’s ever experienced a night of unexpected chaos. Whether you’re a fan of comedies or not, this film is absolutely worth a watch, and it certainly leaves you excited for the sequel.