 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Hangover
- Review Date: June 1, 2009
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Funny, yes, but chock-full of alcohol-fueled adult content.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this hilarious but extremely raunchy comedy from the director of Old School is decidedly not for younger teens. Let's face it: The movie's whole premise involves drinking and being drugged. There's lots of comedic violence, sex, substance abuse, and over-the-top language. While you could stretch and suggest that there's a message about friendship and responsibility, that's like suggesting that Twinkies and soda contain some vitamin C. Still, this movie is turning out to be the teen buzz movie of the summer of 2009. Parents also need to know that this review is for the rated version of this film.
What's the story?
With their friend Doug (Justin Bartha) on the verge of getting married, friends Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zack Galifinakis), and Stu (Ed Helms) take him to Las Vegas for a bachelor party blow-out. Waking the next morning, the three have hazy memories at best and a trashed hotel suite ... and there's no sign of Doug, who's due to tie the knot in two days. Phil, Alan, and Stu have to reconstruct their evening and find thier friend: What did they do? Where did they go? And why is there a tiger in their hotel suite?
Is it any good?
Even with all the concerns about the content in THE HANGOVER, you'd have to be pretty hard-hearted not to admire the flair, flash, and funk that director Todd Phillips brings to the film. As a kind of boozed-soaked detective story, it's remarkably engaging, and the trio of leads each bring something to the proceedings -- Cooper's ratty charm, Helms' stoic uptightness, and Galifinakis' outer-space musings work remarkably well together. There are some nice supporting parts, too (including Rob Riggle as a crazed cop and Heather Graham as an "escort" with a heart of gold), and the film's tempo never flags or falters.
The Hangover is exactly the kind of summertime film that grown-ups will enjoy before, or after, a few adult beverages, bringing back plenty of stories about their own flaming youth or misadventures; the film's too slick and speedy to meditate too much on what the characters learn from their experiences, and if the ending's happiness seems a little forced, think of that brief good feeling as a sparkling champagne chaser to the film's stiff-liquor comedic sensibility. Manic, panicked, and giddily crazed, The Hangover is, like the debauchery it depicts, so much fun that it hurts.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the ritual of the bachelor party -- is it a chance for real bonding or simple immature excess?
Families can also discuss the image of Las Vegas as a playground forgrown-ups; how much of that is innocent fun, and how much of it issimply seedy marketing language?
Finally, families can talk about the film's excessive depiction of violence, sex, and substance abuse -- is the film condoning or glorifying this kind of behavior?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Best Movie EVER! 15+
this is my favorite movie EVER. it is hillarious and a musst see. there is MUCH swearing and referances to sexual things but otherwise an amazing;y funny film. SEE IT!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
The Real Review
It was a very good movie. Lots of swearing, but kids hear that at school.. The sexual content is bad, and involves nudity and plenty of talk about sex. If you are 12+, have non-sheltering parents, and love funny movies.. This is for you!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Perfect for anyone 17 and up that wants to see the #1 comedy of all time.
Loved it, best movie ever. Lots of expliot material (makes it awesome and the funniest movie ever).
NOT FOR ANYONE UNDER 17!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Walked out
Three parties walked out of this movie. My husband and I stuck it out but felt we were watching a very low-budget - play it to a dumb or dumber audience.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Funny for adults ONLY!!!
This movie is STRICTLY for adults! I was shocked by the graphic nature of some of the scenes and observed one man get up and leave the theater during one very offensive scene. There are photos at the end of the movie that woudl garner an X-rating...I was shocked they were allowed in an R! I felt like a needed a cleansing from all the filth in this movie after I left. Funny for adults ONLY!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Filth
Filth. Ending credits show an oral sex scene. Bad, bad.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
The Hangover---Comedy FTW
"The Hangover" (2009) is directed by Todd Phillips, and co-written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. It is a absolutely hilarious tale of the misadventures of four men who, in effort to give their friend one of the best bachelor's parties a man can have, end up making a few detours along the way. It leads them through a day of trying to remember all the details of the previous night, this broken memory being where the movie derives most its humor from.
The movie is rated R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material, though the language is not quite so bad as some would believe; yes, there is constant swearing throughout, but given the mens' situations, I think we can all give them a little lee-way (especially at one point where their memory--or what's left of it---is a matter of life and death). The sexual content is very mild throughout the actual film (an innuendo with a tiger and an exposed breast in one scene, basically mild stuff); however, the credits and their photo reel depict some less appropriate material. And the drug material? It's a movie, get over it. Learn the difference between the real world and the cinematic world.
If you want to see an absolutely hilarious film, with a very good moral mind you, then you will delight as you watch "The Hangover"; I say this film is good for viewers thirteen and up (just don't bring any very young children).
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Very, very funny movie for ADULTS... Yes there is nudity (including frontal nudity). The movie contains bad language, lots of drinking, drugs, violence (hand to hand fighting), and many inappropriate moments. But, for adults, the movie is hilarious.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not for anyone under 20!
Even though the movie was pretty funny it doesn't make sense... if the characters took the "date rape drug" as told to them by the Dr then how on earth did they manage to take plenty of raunchy photos through the night? Doesn't make sense! The directors have no morals or values! Please don't allow your kids to see this trash, esp the credits.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Todd Phillips |
| Cast: | Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 5, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 15, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
