The Hangover Part II: How does this keep happening?

They keep asking this question throughout the first half of the movie, and I found myself asking the same thing through the second half. In 2009 Todd Phillips had the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time, so asked himself why change a winning formula, and for those looking for more of the same, the answer is he didn't.

What was great about the first one was that, you had no idea what was coming. Each moment they tried to up the ante. Phillips had a hand in writing this one and I'm not sure what he did, but it looks like he took the last script and copied over all the big points and put them in the exact same spot. I'd be interested to see what would happen if you screened the two movies together side by side, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the same jokes hit at the exact same time.

But for what it's worth, this time it's not Doug that is getting married it’s Stu, played again by Ed Helms. The bride to be is not Heather Grahmn's character but rather a very nice Taiwanese girl named Lauren, played by Jamie Chung. And as a favor she asks Stu to bring along her brother Teddy, who plays the role of Doug by getting lost in the city. Phillips may think that by moving the location to a foreign city that this is enough to increase the danger, but really all it does is force them to ask for directions a lot.

Bradley Cooper is back as the leader of the wolf pack, while Zach Galifianakis is back as the stay at home son. All three men do a fine job reprising their roles; Galifianakis is a little more on the annoying side this time around, but the other two male leads play opposite him so graciously that it still works. Ken Jeong is around a little more this time as the effeminate gangster and it is a welcome addition to mix things up a little bit, he adds to the chemistry of the crew and takes some of the jokes that would be delivered by Galifianakis which is a welcomed new delivery.

With Mr. Chow now part of the crew Paul Giamatti is playing the role of the gangster they need to help. And that isn't the only substitution they have, Stu still has his song, but this time he is rockin out on the acoustic guitar. Playing the role of the tiger/baby is a chain-smoking drug dealing capuchin monkey. This year Stu's missing tooth was played by Mike Tyson's tattoo which I'm sure most of you saw in the trailers. They still go to a strip club where Stu falls in love with one of the dancers, which while repetitive leads to one of the funnier moments in the movie.

But really who am I to judge just this past weekend I woke up in my clothes wondering how the night finished off only to find out that my buddy almost got raped, my other friend fooled around with some girl on the floor, I hit on a bridesmaids relentlessly while enraging her big black boyfriend, broke a door at a hotel, and then as retribution most of my crew including myself got punched in the crotch Johnny Cage style. So I could probably ask myself the same question, how does this stuff keep happening, and then I remember, it's because I am looking for a good time. The movie is ridiculous and repetitive, but if you know what you are getting into before you walk in, it can be a good time and really funny. C+

Due Date

Due Date is very much what you would expect from a Todd Phillips movie. A lot of slapstick comedy, strong male leads, a mish-mash of pairings, and an outlandish plot that you are more than willing to accept. You can tell that Philips is still in Hangover mode (which makes sense as his next movie is the sequel to the '09 smash hit). And while the comedy may share similar laughs with his last movie, his newest movie shows off a softer side as well.

This movie features a wannabe actor with a glaucoma problem and Robert Downey Jr. After mayhem at the airport both men are placed on the no fly list. With his wallet in transit, in order to reach his pregnant wife in time Robert Downey Jr. must team up with comedies it-man of the moment, Zach Galifianakis, on a cross country road trip.

Zach Galifianakis plays more or less the same role Phillips asked him to play in the past, a sympothetic dolt. After showing off some of his real acting chops in It's Kind of a Funny Story, he is able to spread his wings a little bit and shows some depth in a storyline featuring his dead father. They of course balance all of that out with placing the patriarch's ashes in a coffee can.

It's Robert Downey Jr's character who steals most of the scenes. His comedic timing, dry wit and scornful looks hit at all the right times. Downey plays an uptight architect who has a knack for flying off the handle. You know what to expect from Galifianakis and his comedy, Downey is the X-factor in all of this and he pushes the movie into a no doubt comedy hit. What may stop it from becoming a blockbuster smash is director Todd Phillips.

It is clear that Phillips is maturing as he tries to insert some sincerity into his film. These moments come courtesy from both lead men, both in ways of self-examination and with fatherhood and paternal issues. I doubt he is trying to deliver a firm stance on how you need to better yourself, but maybe suggest that you at least try. It's these moments that may lose some of the audience, who are expecting zany comedy throughout. Also like his past movies, Due Date seems to peek a little early. Many of his belly laughing inducing moments come in the first half of the movie leaving the second half flailing in the wind as once again he may try too hard to become more outrageous as the movie rolls on.

Much of the weight of the movie falls squarely on the shoulders of these two men, but they do get some help from a slew of guest stars. Danny McBride, Juliette Lewis, and Matt Walsh bring exactly what you would expect them to bring to the film and are outstanding at doing so. Jamie Fox, who is featured heavily in the previews is more a set-up man, and sets the scene for some future laughs. Anyone expecting a strong female counterpart clearly hasn't seen any of Phillips' other movies. Hopefully there won't be a public outcry for gender equality like last time and both sexes will be able to enjoy a man who simply writes in the perspective of a man, doubtful.

Downey's star has never been higher and after so many hits it is hard to see it coming down anytime soon. Galifiankis is also on the rise, but it is easy to tell that somewhere down the road audiences may get sick of the characters he plays. That moment though is not now. The men hit all their marks and help create one of the best comedies of the year. B+