The Hangover: Part II

Release Date: May 26, 2011

Runtime: 1 hr. 42 min. 

Director: Todd Phillips 

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong.

Apparently, what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas, as the boys are back in “The Hangover: Part II.” Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis—aka ‘The Wolfpack’—are now in Bangkok in celebration of Stu’s (Helms) impending wedding to his new fiancée. Following the escapades of their previously ill-fated bachelor party, Stu is reasonably opposed to reliving that experience for a second time. But as the aforementioned title rightfully implies, things go awry and pandemonium ensues…again. Director Todd Phillips returns behind the lens and script to duplicate the success of his highest-grossing, R-rated comedy of all time. By sticking to the same formula, he manages to achieve this feat with little to no hitch, offering up another surefire comedy. But in doing so, we get a thin replica full of flaws, instead of a legitimate sequel worth viewing. While the antics are crazier than ever, the familiarity of sequences hinders any chance of progression or maturity that the characters could have had since the first outing. It’s hard to empathize with Galifianakis’ character, Alan, when he seems to have learned absolutely nothing from his previous screw-ups. Justin Bartha, on the other hand, is cast aside once more, which is a shame because he could have added something new to the mix. Apart from location changes and animal substitutions, “Part II” results in an exact carbon copy of the first, only with less originality and surprise. Though “Part III” may not be any different, the ‘Wolfpack’ does still have one eligible bachelor left to initiate. And that in itself could be worth seeing. 

Rating: 2½ stars

Kung Fu Panda 2

Release Date: May 26, 2011

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.

Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson 

Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh.

After defeating the evil Tai Lung and saving all of China, Po—the robust panda, and newly minted ‘Dragon Warrior’—faces his greatest challenge yet, in the latest sequel from DreamWorks Animations. The question of his origin comes into play when he confronts an enemy from his past that is hell-bent on destroying Kung Fu and all those who seek it. As memories begin to resurface, our newfound hero finds himself examining his identity, making this second go-around a much more rooted story than the first. A celebrity-packed cast returns to lend their voices, including Jack Black who perfectly repeats his stride as the lovable panda. Joining the sequel is highly respected actor Gary Oldman, who brings a serious malevolence to his villainous character of a peacock, Lord Shen. This time, however, the ‘Furious Five’ gets less notice, with the exception of Angelina Jolie as Tigress, as they are presented as hero support rather than leaders. The film becomes more about Po and his back-story than anything else. First-time director, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, puts her artistic résumé on display, as she adds a rich quality of color and movement to the feature. While “Kung Fu Panda 2” isn’t as intriguing as the first, the fun remains the same and is sure to please the crowd of all ages. In the words of Jack Black, "Skadoosh!"

Rating: 3½ stars

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Release Date: May 20, 2011 

Runtime: 2 hr. 17 min.

Director: Rob Marshall 

Cast: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Stephen Graham.

He has evaded curses, cheated death, and has sailed to the edge of the world and back. Now, Captain Jack Sparrow returns to the high seas with a new crew and adventure at stake. In the fourth installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” it’s the Fountain of Youth that is being sought after, pitting pirates and enemies alike in a nautical race against time. Johnny Depp is as resourceful as ever, upholding his characteristic traits as the blundering, but brilliant, Jack Sparrow. Alongside his incessant rival, Barbossa (Rush), he stumbles upon formidable opponents in the likes of legendary pirate, Blackbeard, and his daughter Angelica, as they search for the mythical fountain. While the cast is new for the most part, the film endures the weariness of any late sequel in a franchise. This time around, the action seems tepid in the course of the story, which is all but memorable. The introduction of new characters adds little to that effect, particularly the missionary and mermaid who are merely replacements for Bloom and Knightley’s, Will and Elizabeth. Even Ian McShane’s portrayal of Blackbeard seems like a wasted effort that could have been so much more—he was the most notorious, real-life pirate, after all. Fortunately, “On Stranger Tides” has the shortest runtime of the series, making it easier to pass the time with the occasional swordfights and pirate jive. But don’t expect this franchise to be anchored down anytime soon. As long as the loot keeps coming, sequels will be sailing. 

Rating: 2½ stars

Bridesmaids

Release Date: May 13, 2011

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min. 

Director: Paul Feig 

Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey.

Take five, radically different women, add ballsy humor, and you get “Bridesmaids”—the female answer to all male-driven comedies in recent years. SNL alum Kristin Wiig is a comedic force to be reckoned with, playing Annie, the reluctant maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. Unlucky in love and bitter at life, she attempts to complete the coveted task at hand—if, she doesn’t lose her sanity first. Always one to steal the spotlight in supporting roles, Wiig finally receives the break she deserves, as she ascends from television fame to movie stardom. A master at improv and slapstick humor, her defining moment is liken to Steve Carell in “The 40-Year-Old-Virgin.” Rounding out the rest of the bridal party is a talented group of actresses that go against the grain of stereotypical chick flicks. Melissa McCarthy, especially, proves that you don’t have to be a pretty face to get the attention. Rated R and unfeigned, “Bridesmaids” takes the humorous route to what goes down before the pivotal aisle walk. But unlike the similarly conceived “Hangover,” the film presents a solid character study that feels pragmatic, despite the chaos and tirades. Even as the tables turn on the protagonist, you can’t help but appreciate the fact that she’s the bad guy, and that’s a good thing. Though the story starts to feel cumbersome halfway through, the ending doles out enough sentiments to counter the more cringe-inducing moments. By the starring power of Wiig and her bridal posse, the raised bar now seems to be in full effect. The guys in Bangkok will have some catching up to do.

Rating: 4 stars

Thor

Release Date: May 06, 2011

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 

Director: Kenneth Branagh  

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Colm Feore, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Kat Dennings.

First, it was “Iron Man.” Then, “The Incredible Hulk.” Now, the latest hero to emerge from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not a man, but a god. The God of Thunder, to be exact. Chris Hemsworth stars as Thor, the arrogant and reckless son of Odin, who is banished to Earth after disobeying his father’s orders. Upon arrival, he struggles to cope with exile, while trying to redeem himself worthy of his powers and the Asgardian throne. With the help of astrophysicist Jane Foster (Portman), he gains new perspective on what it is to be a mortal, and the act of selflessness. Though lesser known of the cast in comparison, Hemsworth commandeers his role with ease, perfecting the character as Robert Downey, Jr. had done with Tony Stark. His magnetism and good-natured humor are what make the film worthwhile, if not the over-the-top special effects. While frequently appearing outlandish in a multitude of colors, it’s impossible not to marvel at the scope of work that Branagh and his team have done to capture the realm of these Norse gods. As fantasy and reality collide, the story alternates between seriousness and lightheartedness, while keeping the action and entertainment intact. But of course, every origins story has its weaknesses, and it’s the jumpy editing and condensing of details that is the most apparent. Yet, thanks to the setup in “Iron Man 2,” “Thor” manages to sustain its framework while moving towards the next chapter in “The Avengers.” Keep a look out for an uncredited cameo and an Easter Egg that gives another piece to the puzzle. In spite of being an early skeptic, there’s no doubt that “Thor” has set the bar high for the summer lineup. With “Green Lantern” and “Captain America” only a month apart, it’ll be tough not to have any expectations. Let the battle versus evil begin.

Rating: 4 stars

Fast Five

Release Date: Apr 29, 2011

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Director: Justin Lin 

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang. 

High octane. Fast cars. Hot girls. What began as a street-racing fad back in 2001 has rapidly developed into a bankable franchise over the years, targeting car enthusiasts and fanboys alike. And fifth time proves to be the charm as Justin Lin pulls out all the stops in his third effort as director in the series. Akin to “Fast & Furious,” the film continues on a more serious tonality, testing the dynamics and virtues of the group headed by Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner. But unlike its four predecessors, car racing takes a backseat, as the story shifts gears and focuses on the heist itself. Joining Diesel and Walker are all the recognizable characters from the past; many of which provide the comic relief needed during the downtime between totally absurd action sequences and highly implausible stunts. As they prepare to pull off ‘one last job,’ they face adversaries from every direction, including DSS agent Hobbs played dimly by Dwayne Johnson. Despite his hulking appearance and stone-cold manner, Johnson’s acting is as formidable as a boulder, with terrible one-liners and disgruntled glares. But if you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to see Vin Diesel take on ‘The Rock,’ be prepared for an exhibition of brawn versus brawn. It's almost as if the primary goal of the film was just to see who packs the bigger punch. Either way, the massive box office results should be indication that this franchise is yet to finish. Though the fifth installment is actually the events that occurred before "Toyko Drift," it's clear that there's plenty of fuel left in the tank for another sequel. Stick around for the post-credits to see what's next.

Rating: 3 stars