By Malice Intended

The Hangover was the most unlikely blockbuster of 2009.  Its pedigree read like something that was destined for cult status at best.  It was rife with profanity, raunchy humor, full frontal male nudity, and just about anything else that should’ve kept it from being a four quadrant hit Made on a budget of $35 million, it grossed over $277,322,503 in North America, becoming the highest grossing R-Rated comedy of all time.  It did so on the strength of an endearing group of characters that maintained there likeability in spite of the juvenile insanity that swirled around them.  After garnering such jaw-dropping results, a sequel was inevitable.

Those clamoring for another night of fun with everyone’s favorite party animals need not fret.  They will get their fix when The Hangover: Part II makes its debut on movie screens across the country this Memorial Day weekend.  To whet our collective appetites, Legendary Pictures has released a teaser that gives us a glimpse of the gang’s latest adventure.  Todd Phillips is back in the director’s chair, as are all of the principal cast members.  Mike Tyson reprises his cameo role.  Liam Neeson is also slated for an appearance.  All of the pieces are in place to recreate the magic of the original.

The trailer opens in a motel in what looks like a third world country.  The camera makes its way into totally trashed suite and slowly pans around to survey the destruction.  The scene is underscored by the song “Reminder” from Jay-Z.   Pull quotes from the rave reviews received by the first film are superimposed over the images.  A cockroach makes a trek over an outdated clock radio.  The action then cuts to “The Wolfpack” walking down a market square preceded by a circus monkey.  As the three of them assess the damage done from a previous night of partying, it’s obvious that not much has changed since the Vegas trip.   

There aren’t any “money shots” to speak of and anybody hoping for something like the knockout blow administered by Iron Mike in the trailers for the first film will be sorely disappointed.  For now, The Hangover: Part II is chambering all of its haymakers for the forthcoming full length “official” trailer.  This teaser is basically the lobby poster come to life.  It lets you know the time, the place, and the players.  That’s all you need.  The first film was such a massive success that even the hint of sequel will be enough to get audiences frothing at the mouth.

Comedies that become surprise blockbusters don’t have a stellar track record for spawning worthwhile sequels.  Ghostbusters and Beverly Hills Cop broke box office records to the delight of audiences around the world.  They also birthed lackluster follow-ups that should never have happened.  The Hangover didn’t have to contend with lofty expectations.  It was low brow comedy with a moderate budget hoping to carve out a niche for itself in the 2009 summer blockbuster season.  It ended up far exceeding even the most generous box office projections.  This puts The Hangover: Part II in the unenviable position of having to compete with its predecessor.  It may very well be funny in its own right, but that won’t be enough to satisfy audiences that busted a gut laughing at the original.  Let’s hope The Wolfpack is up to the task. 

[pro-player width=’425′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyoMuBsJ1tc [/pro-player]

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