Line #15 YMMV/TheHangover


1	* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:
2	** Is Alan a [[TheMillstone Millstone]], a PsychopathicManChild, or is he a MisunderstoodLonerWithAHeartOfGold? Or is he all three?
3	** When Phil called Stu "Dr. Faggot", was he being homophobic or was he simply messing with Stu? On one hand, his sense of humor is vulgar and that could just be him being his jokingly vulgar self. On the other hand, he acts incredibly sexist with most women that he meets, so he would likely not be above homophobia...
4	* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Creator/LindsayLohan turned down the role of Jade [[http://www.usmagazine.com/news/lindsay-lohan-turned-down-role-in-the-hangover-200987 because, apparently, she thought it would flop]]. Yeah, [[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=hangover.htm that was a bad idea.]]
5	* AngstWhatAngst: With Teddy being a prominent musician and studying to be a surgeon, you'd think he'd be at least a little upset about [[spoiler: cutting off his finger and having it get lost]].
6	* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
7	** The soundtrack has an impressive hip-hop collection for a movie that does not specifically revolve around hip-hop.
8	** Music/PhilCollins' "In the Air Tonight" from ''Part I'' making a solid CallBack in the credits of ''Part III''.
9	** 'What do Tigers dream of when they take a little Tiger snooze?' It's beautiful.
10	** Also Stu's "Alantown" from ''Part II''.
11	** The Dan Band's version of Music/FiftyCent's "Candy Shop".
12	** The use of Music/NineInchNails' version of "Hurt" (the original one) for the scene where [[spoiler:Alan bids Chow a final (well, unless you count TheStinger) farewell and leaves with the Wolfpack.]]
13	* BaseBreakingCharacter:
14	** Leslie Chow is either the most hilarious character or the most annoying character in the trilogy, depending on who you ask. When it comes to the sequels, you can also add people who think he's funny, but not funny enough to warrant the increased screen time in each sequel.
15	** Alan is either the funniest character in the series, only funny in small doses, or the most annoying character in the films. The fact that he TookALevelInJerkass in the sequels doesn't help either.
16	* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Stu's "What Do Tigers Dream Of?" musical number.
17	* CatharsisFactor: At the end of the first movie, Stu finally tells off Melissa for her abusive behavior and leaves her.
18	* CriticalDissonance: ''Part II'' was largely panned by critics, but it was successful at the box office, outgrossing the original internationally ($191M vs $331M), even with the increased budget from $35M to $80M. ''Part III'' however, had an even more negative reception than ''II'', and did far worse at the box office ($112M domestic, $249M international on a $103M budget). Still, it did manage to have the second-highest opening weekend for an R-rated comedy film.
19	* CriticProof: As said in CriticalDissonance, poor reviews didn't damper the box office for the two sequels (though for ''Part II'', this may be due to the good will from the first film). ''Part III'' however, is both the lowest rated and the lowest grossing film in the series by a sizeable margin (see CriticalDissonance).
20	* CrossesTheLineTwice: A cop (played by six-and-a-half foot tall Marine Rob Riggle) kicking in the door, pointing a gun, and screaming "SHUT THAT BABY UP!" - This would only allude to later on, in which he is outright leading kids to hit the three with tasers. The [[ComedicSociopath hysterical laughter and goading]] as it all happens [[FridgeHorror leaves you wondering just how these guys "serve and protect"]].
21	* EnsembleDarkhorse:
22	** Leslie Chow, hence each sequel giving more screen time and relevance to the film than the previous.
23	** The Dan Band has certainly gotten a good many fans from this film. Doubles as a OneSceneWonder.
24	* EsotericHappyEnding: [[spoiler:The second film ends with Stu marrying Lauren and the guys (and Creator/MikeTyson) reacting to the photos of the night before. Never mind the fact that Stu was raped by a sex worker, and not only is he not going to tell Lauren about it, but he might well have an STD. Teddy's career plans are also in trouble because he cut off his finger, and it's now impossible to reattach it.]]
25	* FanPreferredCouple: Most fans liked the pairing between [[HoYay Stu and Phil]], and were disappointed to see that the sequel has Stu engaged and eventually marries Lauren.
26	* FirstInstallmentWins: Most fans agree that the first film was definitely the best.
27	* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: The character of Leslie Chow is so popular in Japan and China that he has been given more and more screen time with each movie in the franchise. Considering that some American critics have considered Chow to be a racial stereotype of Asians, this may also count as MexicansLoveSpeedyGonzales.
28	* HarsherInHindsight: Not that it was all that hilarious before, but seeing a giraffe get killed becomes even more horrific after the controversy about the euthanised giraffe Marius from the Copenhagen Zoo.
29	* HilariousInHindsight: In ''Part II'', [[spoiler: Creator/MikeTyson]] tells Stu that he should have his tattoo removed. Considering the FrivolousLawsuit over that same tattoo that nearly caused the film's delay, this also doubles as a retroactive HarsherInHindsight.
30	* ItsTheSameNowItSucks: The main complaint from critics against ''Part II'' was that it was just a long repetition of the events of the first film, only set in Bangkok, Thailand.
31	* JerksAreWorseThanVillains: Despite the first movie featuring a rude gangster who is guilty of kidnapping, vehicular assault, and extortion, the most hated character in the movie is Melissa for being an extremely harsh and accurate portrayal of DomesticAbuse.
32	* LoveToHate:
33	** Leslie Chow is memorable for being an [[LargeHam over-the-top]] LaughablyEvil gangster.
34	** Melissa is ''despised'' for being an extremely nasty portrayal of an abusive girlfriend.
35	* MemeticMutation: "But did you die?" from ''Part II'' is often used as a response to something that is considered an overreaction.
36	* OlderThanTheyThink
37	** The plot of the first film shares plenty of similarities with ''Film/DudeWheresMyCar'', the 1999 ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Viva Ned Flanders", and ''Film/VeryBadThings''. In fact, the similarities to the latter led to the French title of the film being ''Very Bad Trip''.
38	** That fake-out hi-five/handshake thing that Zach Galifianakis does in the third film originated in an episode of ''Comedy Bang! Bang!'' (to which Scott Aukerman replied, "That's...still a thing?").
39	* OneSceneWonder:
40	** Lisa, the receptionist at the Caesar's Palace for her deadpan responses to the Wolfpack's behavior at check-in. Helps that [[DistractedByTheSexy she's also hot]].
41	** Creator/MikeTyson. [[spoiler:And again in ''Part II'']]
42	** The tattoo artist in ''Part II'' was meant to be one, and be played by Creator/MelGibson, but this fell through after cast and crew objected to his involvement, leading to him being replaced with Creator/LiamNeeson. Then the scene needed to be reshot and Neeson wasn't available, so in the final film he's played by the utterly unrecognizable director Nick Cassavettes.
43	* {{Sequelitis}}: The first one was well-received. The sequels, not so much (the second for retreading the original while adding on VulgarHumor, and the third for extreme {{Flanderization}} while drifting too far from the original to the point that comedy is almost an afterthought).
44	* SignatureScene: Mr. Chow jumping out of the trunk, naked, and beating everyone; or the Tiger Lullaby.
45	* SoOkayItsAverage: While ''Part II'' is usually criticized for having many of the same elements from the first film with more vulgar scenes, its still not seen as worse than ''Part III'' with a score of 33% on ''Website/RottenTomatoes'' and 6.4 on IMDB compared to third films' score of 20% and 5.8 on IMDB.
46	* SpiritualAdaptation:
47	** The humor and slapstick gags are very reminiscent of ''Film/TheThreeStooges''. In fact, some felt the film and its sequels are better modern adaptations then the actual 2012 film (albeit more grittier, grounded and semi-realistic then actual series of the Stooges' films).
48	** The overall film trilogy feels like an R-rated live-action adaptation of the kids' cartoon ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'' (which like the films is also distributed by Creator/WarnerBros), due to some characters sharing traits with the cartoon's characters. (Interestingly, ''The Three Stooges'' is said to be one of the inspirations for ''Ed, Edd n Eddy'', so it comes full circle):
49	*** Phil shares some traits with Eddy, due to them being the egotistical and womanizing {{Jerkass}} leads of the trio and further hits home with his actor Creator/BradleyCooper's voice coincidentally sounding like Eddy's voice actor Creator/TonySampson's voice when voicing the character.
50	*** Stu acts as the film series' Double D due to them trying to act as the three's OnlySaneMan and TheSmartGuy even though both are the neurotic of the three and are NotSoAboveItAll.
51	*** Alan is Ed's counterpart, due to them being TheDitz of the group who can be an UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom who creates the problem that drives the plot.
52	*** Leslie Chow, Eddie Palermos from the first film and Samir from the second film (the latter two played by the same actor) [[DecompositeCharacter all shares traits with Rolf]], due to them being the FunnyForeigner towards the trio and are more tolerable and civil towards them in contrast to the other characters until their patience wears thin by the three's antics (though Eddie and Samir can count as exceptions). Also, the way Chow addressed the Wolfpack as "gay boys" in a couple of scenes throughout the trilogy is not unlike how Rolf addressed the Eds as "Ed boys" in the show.
53	*** Tracy and Melissa (from the first film) are each a DecompositeCharacter of Sarah due to the former being stressed out by the three's antics and being the sister of the trio's TheDitz, while the latter is an ill-tempered {{Jerkass}} and her being the girlfriend of Stu alludes to Sarah having a crush on Double D in the cartoon, though Sarah was slightly nicer towards Double D, while still controlling in contrast to Melissa's full-blown poor treatment.
54	*** Doug shares traits with Jimmy, due to them being each a NiceGuy who most of the time ended up as a ButtMonkey because of the three's mishaps. Doug's marriage to the {{Tsundere}} sister of the group's TheDitz parallels to Jimmy's close relationship to Ed's sister Sarah.
55	*** Jade is the films' version of the cartoon's Nazz, due to them being beautiful {{Nice Girl}}s with HairOfGoldHeartOfGold.
56	*** Rob Riggle's character Officer Franklin from the first film shares traits with Kevin, due to them being {{Jerkass}}es who invoke DisproportionateRetribution against the three for harming or stealing their vehicles (Franklin arrests the Wolfpack then have them being taser test dummies for robbing his police cruiser, while Kevin is protective of his prized bike and would harm anyone who damages or steal it). In addition, Franklin's occupation as a police officer, who is usually seen as a figure who should be respected, is similar to Kevin's position as TheAce in the neighborhood, while both can still act as a {{Jerkass}} towards the three idiots.
57	*** Creator/MelissaMcCarthy's character Cassie who is smitten with Alan in the third film can be seen as an AdaptationalHeroism CompositeCharacter of the Kanker Sisters, due to them being low class females in terms of appearances and manners who are smitten with all or one of the three idiots, like May Kanker's infatuation with Ed (Alan Garner's cartoon counterpart). However, while the Kankers are outright obnoxious, Cassie, however while still a jerk, is less worse.
58	*** Black Doug shares traits with Jonny 2x4, both are African American {{Nice Guy}}s who can be friendly towards the three morons and acts as the {{Butt Monkey}}s as well. Black Doug being TheDragon for Marshall in the GrandFinale is similar to Jonny's FaceHeelTurn into becoming the costumed villain The Gourd in TheStinger to the cartoon's own GrandFinale.
59	*** Marshall himself is the trilogy's counterpart of Eddy's Brother, due to both of them being the GreaterScopeVillain of both series as the trios' problems are traced back to them. Even though both can be LaughablyEvil (especially when you have Creator/JohnGoodman playing the villain, who is mostly TheComicallySerious), they are treated as each a KnightOfCerebus as their appearances are mostly played out seriously.
60	*** The film itself also bears striking similarities to the “Ed Edd n Eddy, Big Picture Show.” In that film, the opening shows the cul-de-sac in ruins, the Ed’s are to blame for the events, and unlike The Hangover, we never find out what exactly happened to get the trio in such a mess.
61	* {{Squick}}:
62	** While the credits is one big SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment\|s}} as a whole, there are a couple of pictures that'll make viewers want to vomit.
63	** Another would be [[spoiler:Stu getting breast enlargements at TheStinger for Part III]].
64	* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: The main complaint from critics against ''Part III'' was that it diverged so far from the previous films that it didn't even seem to be a comedy anymore.
65	* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter:
66	** It's not uncommon to find people who complain that, after being a living MacGuffin in the first film, Doug is wasted as a character in the sequels by leaving him out of the drunken night in ''Part II'' & restoring him to his original role in ''Part III''. Especially since his actor, Justin Bartha, has shown he can easily play a quirky companion in the ''Film/NationalTreasure'' films.
67	** A lot of people are also unhappy about Creator/HeatherGraham's character Jade being left out of ''Part II'', since she and Stu seemed to actually go together well in their final scene, and because she's perhaps the only sympathetic and rounded female character, though she does turn up again in part III.
68	* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: One of Alan's {{Manchild}} traits in the films is that he's a fan of Music/TheJonasBrothers, who during the time the films were made were a Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol pop group marketed exclusively towards children and young teens. By TheNewTwenties, the group had successfully transitioned to a mainstream adult band, so a grown man like Alan being a fan of them isn't that strange.
69	* TheWoobie:
70	** Alan is this at some points. Especially when he starts singing "We're the three best friends that anyone could have!" and even more so when he's genuinely distressed at the idea that Doug might be dead, while the other two don't seem to have considered the possibility.[[note]]With the exception of Stu when he said "Our best friend Doug is probably lying facedown in a ditch right now with a methhead buttfucking his corpse!"[[/note]] However, Alan's Woobie status drops dramatically when you consider that nearly every bad thing that happens to the Wolfpack is his fault. [[spoiler:Mainly because he drugs them in the first two films.]] Then comes the third, where his sympathy drops further as he's becoming too weird to function.
71	** [[ButtMonkey Stu]] is another Woobie. In the first film, his girlfriend controls his life with an iron fist and he not only lacks the guts to stand up for himself (until the end), but actually makes excuses for her abusing and cheating on him. In the second film, his disapproving father-in-law emasculates him in a similar fashion. And to top it all off, Alan's stupidity results in Stu being put through hell in both films and nearly having his marriage destroyed in the second.

Context YMMV / TheHangover