After The Hangover was released in 2009, it became a box office success and an almost instant classic. Fans loved the 2011 sequel as well and anticipation of the third film has been extremely high. Unlike the first two films that involved the Wolfpack getting together for a stag party, first for Doug and then for Stu’s pre-wedding brunch in the sequel, the third film has the gang coming together to try and get Alan to seek help for his mental issues after the death of his father. Though their motivation this time may be different and perhaps more honorable, this does not stop things from going horribly wrong for the guys.
John Goodman plays a mobster who kidnaps Doug and demands the Wolfpack find Mr. Chow who stole a large amount of gold from him. To gain Doug’s release, they must turn over Mr. Chow. This new misadventure leads them right back to the place it all began: Las Vegas. Stu, Phil and Alan are then thrust from one outrageous situation to another as they try to track down Chow and save their friend.
As was the case in the first two films, much of the humor is crude and some gags involving the deaths of animals may be seen as disturbing by some. If you did not thoroughly enjoy the first two films, or if you have no tolerance for animal cruelty even in jest, then The Hangover III may not be a film to see. But fans who truly love the first two films will definitely want to see the third, though they may feel it is the weakest of the the trilogy.
All of the original leads are back for the third installment including Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha and Bradley Cooper. Ken Jeong’s character, Mr. Chow, plays his biggest part yet in the franchise. Returning guest stars include Mike Epps, Heather Graham, Jamie Chung and Jeffrey Tambor, but the guest star who steals the show is Melissa McCarthy as a pawn shop owner. The film carries an R rating and has a running time of 100 minutes.