Related Items
How will "The Hangover II" stack up against these hits and misses?
By Brett Buckalew, Special to Metromix
Finding a missing friend is nothing. Here’s the real challenge “The Hangover” heroes face in their second trip to theaters: deliver the hard-R-rated raunchy shocks and bromantic camaraderie that fans expect in a sequel that’s a fresh experience in its own right.
The original cast—Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and scene-stealing Zach Galifianakis—and returning director Todd Phillips swap the desert of Las Vegas for the wilds of Bangkok, Thailand in the bluntly titled “The Hangover Part II.” But if the uneven track record of previous R-rated comedy sequels is anything to go by, they’ll need more than a change of scenery to guarantee audience goodwill.
In order for an adults-only laugh riot follow-up to succeed, it’s essential to keep an eye on smaller details: the unique traits of beloved characters; a solid narrative engine; and, most importantly, gross-out gags that push the envelope without seeming desperate. Take a look back at five sequels that got it right, and five that missed the mark.
Follow @metromix on Twitter for the latest in movies, music and TV
