About ten minutes into the movie I was wondering if I had staggered into this very male world of crass jokes, nonchalant peeing, endlessly flowing booze, girl goggling, back thumping, gambling and of course hangovers. But as I warmed to the movie, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a chaotic and adorable movie with casting that is absolutely perfect! I have not seen movies by any of the 4 male lead actors before – but I loved them all! Their performances were so realistic – it was like they were living those roles out!
The story goes something like this - two days before his wedding, Doug (JUSTIN BARTHA) drives to Las Vegas with his best buddies Phil and Stu (BRADLEY COOPER and ED HELMS) and his future brother-in-law Alan (ZACH GALIFIANAKIS) for a stag party. They leave LA in Doug’s father in law’s shiny open-top Mercedes – with promises to be back one day before the wedding. As the father in law winks and sends them off saying “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” you get ready for some hilarious action. For me the cutest character in the movie is Alan who according to the friends is “not all there”. His childlike expressions and silly questions and quirky habits simply steal the show! The friends check into a suite at Ceasers Palace Hotel (and Alan here asks innocently “I mean Ceaser din’t really live here did he?”).
That night they toast on the terrace of their hotel and promise to have a good time. Then we wake up with them in their completely messed up hotel room. Things are all strewn around, there’s a baby wailing in their room…and worse Doug the groom is missing! None of them can remember what really happened the previous night. Then begins the hilarious endeavour to find Doug and in the bargain they find out just how much trouble they are in. Their troubles include a mysterious tiger in their bathroom, stealing a cop car, a baby in their room, one of their buddies getting married to a stripper, robbing from a gay Chinese gangster and of course the missing groom! It’s hilarious how they go about extracting their foot out of their mouth and yes eventually finding a terribly sun burnt groom.
The sound track keeps pace with the movie. From Who Let The Dogs Out by Baha Men, to It’s Now Or Never by El Vez, to Fever by The Cramps, to Joker And The Thief by Wolfmother, to Three Best Friends by Zach Galifianakis – the list is rather long and thoroughly enjoyable.
It’s movie where you can sit back, relax, have a good laugh and you feel that you’ve really got your money’s worth. And yes, it’s best watched with friends. Go watch it guys!
Director - Todd Phillips
Screenplay - Jon Lucas & Scott Moore
Music - Christopher Beck