Daniel Cann

The themes explored, the setting and scenario: Stag goes very wrong in Las Vegas has all been done before, but thanks to a sharp script from writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore there is plenty of dry, sardonic wit and banter amidst all the slapstick humour and pratfalls. As the clues, eccentric characters and bizarre situations accumulate the comedy flows freely in the desert city of vice. This is very much like ‘Animal House’ does Vegas or an ‘American Pie’ for thirtysomethings.

None of this would work of course but for the central performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha as Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug respectively. The four men have a convincing chemistry and the viewer will believe in their characters and how they bounce off one another. Their verbal exchanges had me doubled up in laughter for most of the film. Heather Graham shows up as a daffy but loveable stripper and there are plenty of other comic turns, characters and cameos to keep things lively.

Ask yourself this: How many films can boast a baby, Mike Tyson, a tiger, a stripper, Asian gangsters, unhinged cops, a wedding chapel, casino’s and a desert in its plot?

Yes there are familiar themes explored here but it’s all carried off with aplomb. It is excellently played by all protagonists and without them it would all have fallen pretty flat.

‘The Hangover’ is hilarious, the perfect antidote to a bad week at work or on a rainy day, a great pick me up!