TODD Phillips’ raucous comedy The Hangover was one of the surprise hits of 2009, following the misadventures of Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), who manage to ‘misplace’ groom-to-be Doug (Justin Bartha) during his Las Vegas stag-do.
Cast and crew return to the scene of their cinematic crimes in the sequel, which involves another set of nuptials and a disastrous foray to foreign climes.
Stu has finally found love with the beautiful Lauren (Jamie Chung) and is poised to marry her in a traditional ceremony in Thailand.
Following a boozy stag party in Las Vegas, Stu, Phil, Alan and Doug head east where they will reunite with Doug’s wife Tracy (Sasha Barrese) and her father (Jeffrey Tambor) plus various family and friends.
However, the celebrations teeter on the brink of disaster when Phil, Stu and Alan wake from the revelry with no recollection of the night before and discover that they have lost hair and gained a prominent tattoo.
Ken Jeong reprises his role as the mysterious Mr Chow and Mike Tyson cameos once again as himself.
STAR RATING: **
DANCING DREAMS (12A)
FOLLOWING on neatly from Wim Wenders’s acclaimed 3D film Pina, Anne Linsel’s life-affirming documentary Dancing Dreams boasts the last ever appearance on camera of revered German choreographer Pina Bausch before her death in June 2009.
The film follows a group of ethnically diverse teenagers with no previous modern dance experience as they learn Bausch’s intricate 1978 work Contact Zone over the course of 12 months.
Overwhelmed at first by the task that lies ahead, the young dancers aged 14 to 18 rise to the challenge and discover that their tireless work in the dance studio has a profound effect on their self-confidence and the quality of their day-to-day lives.
STAR RATING: ***
