Random Thoughts While Watching The Hangover Part II

So this is what we're doing, huh? Using the same shot list from the original film, but moving the setting to Thailand to make it seem different. Oh, and using some of the same dialogue. This might work if it turns out that this film is actually a hilarious send-up of the original, wherein they mock the very thing they created.

• Clearly the filmmakers decided that having an impending wedding is the best way to force a sense of anxiety/importance/deadline. Substitute Ed Helms for Justin Bartha, add in an offensively stereotypical overprotective father, and serve up a cringe-inducing rehearsal dinner toast.

• What happened to Heather Graham?

• The brother of the bride-to-be, Teddy (Mason Lee), seems to have been set up as a foil for Alan (Zach Galifianakis), but it's not clear that the actor playing Teddy got the memo.

• They're referring to themselves as "the wolf pack"? No, that should not be allowed.

• Justin Bartha is, once again, not invited on this crazy merry-go-round.

• Of course Alan (Zach Galifianakis) has become friends with Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong)… wait, what?

• The car chase scene in a Toyota Corolla is probably the film's high point.

• The use of kids in this film -- in the tattoo parlor and in Alan's flashback -- is disturbing and distracting.

• Is that the dude that worked in the wedding chapel in Vegas in the first film, but now runs a strip club in Thailand and is just disguised in a terrible wig? Yes, I think it is.

• Yeah, I did not need to see that.

• Paul Giamatti is playing such an absurd caricature of a villain -- is that on purpose?

• Oof, this ending is feeling rushed and forced. We really know nothing about the relationship between Stu and Lauren, and we already experienced a very satisfying "Stu standing up for himself against his oppressor" sequence in the first film.

• Part of the beauty of the first Hangover was that it had a lot of heart. We cared about the relationships between the characters. It's hard to feel the same way about caricatures. And seriously, does the bride not care at all about the face tattoo? C'mon.

Concerning possible factual inaccuracies involving Stanford University

• There's not a "pre-med" major at Stanford. You could do the HumBio core, but that's about as close as it gets. Fine, maybe the father is just saying Teddy's pre-med to force his own agenda, but still.

• Okay, first of all, there is not a Bally Total Fitness in Palo Alto. And I seriously doubt this kid is driving to San Jose to work out. Why isn't he just going to Arrillaga Gym? I mean, it's right there.

• Wait, he has a class ring? But he's a freshman, and like, no one buys a class ring. Maybe if you're on the football team. Maybe.