We're in Bangkok?!

The Hangover was truly a game changer in comedy business recently. It was hilarious, a great script complemented with fresh ideas, and of course, those R-rated scenes. A rare film which kept us thinking what is happening in that 'blank timeline', without losing its funny and unpredictable plot. The power of Hangover lies in the trio of Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis). Each person comes out its own distinctive character, always come together, and separating it's not an option. $400 million in box-office, a sequel is highly anticipated. 2 years later, the same creator and director, Todd Phillips answers our summer movie wish, but does the new adventure live up the hype?

Unfortunately, Hangover 2 in my opinion is not as great as I have expected before. The same creative team seems like just re-uses and recycles the whole concept from the first one, and put it in Bangkok. To call it lazy sequel perhaps an understatement, but somehow it surely can't escape the repetition fact. But again, if the story changes, they might as well can't keep the 'Hangover' title, could they?

Storyline is the almost remain the same, no further introduction to the characters, since most of them are back.Heather Graham is a big loss, but Jamie Chung is a proper replacement though. Our lovely dentist, Stu is going down to the aisle with his hot girlfriend, Lauren (Chung), and he tries his best to avoid the same disaster couple of years. Wedding party held in Thailand, Alan's utter jealousy toward Teddy, Lauren's brother, father in-law is totally a jerk, all combined as pre-disaster ingredients for havoc. As stupid as it is, the night before the big day just turns out to be another un-recalled memories. (Smart enough, Doug, the missing guy from the first movie, managed to avoid it).

Actually, I kinda like that they move setting into Thailand, and Bangkok in particular. Things of course are less glamourous and messier, including the culture clash (which is heavily exploited). Drugs, monkey courier, Mr. Chow's John Thomas a.k.a dick, transvertite stripper, even monks are put into the mix of this catastrophy R-rated journey. When I mention R-rated, I'm telling you Hangover 2 is pretty close to the limit boundary. Some of Alan's antics and treatment to the old monk is pretty daring, or even insulting. And for those who haven't heard or seen Thai she-male thingy, well, it's learning and knowing time, folks!

Overall, I still enjoy the funny and hilarious moments, which is the main menu. The surprising elements perhaps are a bit predictable, but they still bring out laughters. Chow gets bigger role, and the inclusive of Paul Giamatti as Kingsley, the mob, was spot on. Too bad, the over hyped tattoo artist cameo did not amuse me (from Mel Gibson, Liam Neeson, to Nick Cassavetes, who is he??). Mason Lee is a good addition as the missing Teddy. Again, there's another wasteful cameo in the end, which I won't spoil it here (He should be banned from the next sequel!).

In conclusion, Todd Phillips is basically creating the same thing, except what was fresh and surprising in Las Vegas turns out to be a bit dull and predictable in Bangkok. I don't blame him though, since I think the same recipe proves to be working (it garnered $138 million in first week). Bottom line, did I laugh? Yes surely, although I was hoping a smarter and inspired storyline. In the end, you might still enjoy rewatching previous Hangover over and over again, but that's not the case with the second one.

My Review: 7.0/10

The Agent Who Drugged Me...

Frankly, I have lost appetite with Tom Cruise’s movies recently. His last decent movie as far as I could recall was probably The Last Samurai, plus he made a pretty good cameo on ‘Tropic Thunder’. We all may blame his antics on Oprah, Sciencetology, or teenage love story with Katie. I didn't even catch Valkyrie at all. But there is something with Knight and Day which makes me interested. I think this is a perfect movie where Tom Cruise plays as...Tom Cruise himself. Actually, when the trailer was premiered last year before Avatar, I didn't get the idea, what the hell is this movie? A Super Secret Agent running around with Cameron Diaz, chased by bad guys? Not to bright, huh?

Overall, the movie is a total nonsense, over the top, and ridiculously fun in some parts. In a way, this popcorn flick delivers something fresh, out of the line action scenes, and no one gets hurt badly (thanks PG-13). I didn’t even see Cruise get scratched or wounded (at least until the end) most of the time. Yeah, he still has that ‘look’ and ‘charismatic’, I guess it’s better for him to use and explore it while it lasts. I really enjoyed the opening 30 minutes, the scenes were changing rapidly, from one spot to another spot, and bang bang bang everywhere. Afterwards, the movie was just going downward, it became too repetitive, and the only thing differs is the locations (we see airplane, tropical island, Switzerland, Spain, etc). As far as the story goes, the audience will be assured that no matter what happens, Cruise and Diaz won’t get into too much trouble.

The plus point of Knight and Day is the perfect chemistry of the main duo. I kinda enjoy how Roy Miller and June Havens start building their relationship on screen, right from the flirting moments at the airport, they fight among themselves, and right into the end when Diaz' character suddenly steals the show. Remember Mr. & Mrs. Smith? Just like that, but without 'Brangelina' hype. They prove to be a much better pair than Heigl – Kutcher on The Killers. Diaz still has her and sweet cute attitude. If only this movie is made 5 years ago, damn she must be a one damn hottie. Although I don’t buy the ending, the chemistry becomes a bit awkward and Diaz’ transformation is just ludicrous and bizarre.

Thanks to the domination from the main stars, the rest is just like puppets, even the villain, Fitzgerald (Peter Sarsgaard), looks like a douche, one of the lamest bad guy in 2010, making him on board with Jason Patric (The Losers) and Patrick Wilson (A-Team). He doesn’t look intimidating, the threat is so weak and dumb, and most of all, he doesn’t have that ‘bad guy’ face at all. Paul Dano plays very few screen as the inventor Simon Peck, who creates the mini super battery that can run a small city, which happens to be the center of all problems. It's a shame since I thought he will add the colors of the whole cast, he's pretty much underused and ignored (man, he's brilliant in Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood).

This may not the best Tom Cruise movie after all, and frankly, I’m still surprised he wants to jump into the wagon for this one. But, only Tom Cruise who can still add the flavor and additional gimmicks to this kind of flick. He can shoot, jump, play lasso to grab person by person, go from A to B in 18 hours, acting ridiculously, and still...audience will not blast him, we may even like him more. That's the power of Cruise. From technical aspect, the action scenes were unreasonably and ridiculously thrilling. Most of the jokes work well (I like the ‘with me, without me, with me, without me’), and Diaz can be really cute in some scenes (she can also play dumb, though). Again, just like when I reviewed the A-Team, leave your brain at the door, and ‘try’ to enjoy the movie. In the end, Knight and Day may entertains some audiences, kinda love storyish in a way....but if you’re looking for some seriousness, you’re in the wrong section, dude.

My Rating : 7/10