Unleashing the monster

MOVIE REVIEW

Published: 27/05/2011 at 03:49 AM
Newspaper section: Life

If you have a demon inside you, move to Bangkok. "This city suits me," says Stu, the ill-fated American groom-to-be who has, in his own words, a weakness for prostitutes, male or female, or anything else.

Bangkok, he implies, has unleashed the monster in him. Stu is getting married to a Thai bride who speaks only English, perhaps because she's played by a Chinese-American Jamie Chung. Damn, Stu should've known better; if he's having a stag party, if he's so fearful that the stag party would turn out to be a calamity of an irredeemable proportion, like in The Hangover I, why has he come to Thailand? Is he completely daft, just like the whole movie?

Vulgar and stupid, cinematically, geographically and culturally, The Hangover Part II is one of the worst sequels I've ever seen. Vulgarity and stupidity in itself is fine, as long as it is redeemed by something, like the ability to entertain, which is not quite the case here. But we'll get to that later. Without intending to perhaps, what's interesting is that The Hangover II is honest about the dark allure that our Lost-Angel-ist has on foreigners who suspect there are demons lurking in them. Once Bangkok has you in its grip, it won't let you go, says Paul Giamatti himself, playing a gangster. Could you agree more?

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About the author

: Writer: Kong Rithdee; Position: Deputy Editor

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itetts
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Discussion 6 : 30/05/2011 at 10:04 PM6
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This review has to be one of the worst demonstrations of wrtitten English language to appear in the Bangkok Post. Or perhaps that was done to reflect the quality of the movie? There are so many errors I won't even waste my time accounting for all of them. Doesn't anybody check what's written in the Post?
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sillybilly
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Discussion 5 : 28/05/2011 at 10:07 AM5
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Guys...this movie obviously wasn't made for the oscars nor does it bill itself as a politically correct one. Its plain slapstick humour and made for those who have such. Movies are made mostly to entertain and not to make us feel intelligent. Life is already complicated as it is so chill out...jai yen yen...U guys here r begining to make me feel like my homecountry where everyone gotta complain about something and everything everyday. And i came here to escape from that!!!
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sephyoung
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Discussion 4 : 28/05/2011 at 01:23 AM4
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I liked the first Hangover this sequel is so so seems like the rushed this one the story could've been better. The location is perfect which will bring more tourist from around the world to Thailand and spend their money. This is a comedy not a documentary sorry Kong Rithdee if this movie didn't portray a perfect Thailand maybe you can do a movie and see how many people go see it. It's true most people see Thailand as one big redlight district and a unruly place, but when they come to Thailand their perspective will change by the time they leave for home. I guarantee they will only have good things to say about Thailand the good and bad. Don't be so sensitive this movie is good for the Thai tourism sector!!!! I live in California and the audience for this movie alot of them say they want to visit Thailand.
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falangsur
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Discussion 3 : 28/05/2011 at 12:26 AM3
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I am always amazed how Thai people believe the rest of the world sees them. Thais know their own culture and how it segments things, but to the rest of the world it is called hypocrisy - with prostitutes offering alms before headed out for a night of drinking, gambling, and wild sex. With politicians decrying youthful bad behavior in schools while they steal money, pay-off police officers, and visit their multiple wives. With young adults talking of their love for Mother and Father, but spending money on Gucci, alcohol at RCA, and iPhones; and sleeping late for school that they do not study for anyway, and unable to send money back to the farm where it is needed. This movie, regardless of how bad it is, provides some insight into how our country has become the red light district to the world.
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observer 101
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Discussion 2 : 27/05/2011 at 03:34 PM2
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It sounds even worse than fast and furious 5. Is that possible?
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dysanius
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Discussion 1 : 27/05/2011 at 09:03 AM1
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Now here is a film that I have no desire to watch even watching the trailers makes me cringe. I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but the stupidity and complete idiocy of this movie is beyond me.
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Unleashing the monster | Bangkok Post: Arts & Culture