The Hangover Part III (2013)

You can never go back, but Todd Phillips and his wolf pack try to rekindle that magic anyway in 2013’s The Hangover Part III. Where the first two movies were about saving a missing friend by trying to remember what happened the night before, this one is about saving a kidnapped friend while remembering what happened the night before. You see that crazy twist they created there for the big series conclusion?

I’d give you more of a synopsis, but if you saw the previous two, there isn’t really anything more to add. Once again, the film is carried by Zach Galifianakis and Ken Jeong’s quirky antics while Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, and now John Goodman play the straight men. Seeing Goodman in this film just made me wish I had grabbed my copy of The Big Lebowski and watched a much superior dark comedy instead.

There are some funny moments scattered throughout the film that weren’t shown in the previews, which is nice. Fans of Alan shouldn’t be disappointed, but in the end, the gang ends up in Las Vegas where the ending falls flat, predictable, and even a bit boring.

This movie is much better than The Hangover Part II, but after seeing the third one, I’m not buying Phillips’ claim that this series was always meant to be a trilogy. In fact, my guess is that in 15 to 20 years, the whole gang will be back on the big screen when it’s little Carlos’ turn to get married, and it will be as welcome as 2012’s American Reunion.

You’d be better served to rent the first movie, and watch it three times than go see this film, but if you insist, wait for a matinee and save a few dollars.