Parents' Guide to The Hangover Part II

Movie R 2011 102 minutes
The Hangover Part II Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

S. Jhoanna Robledo By S. Jhoanna Robledo , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 18+

Raunchy comedy sequel is cruder, less funny, than original.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 18+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 15+

Based on 21 parent reviews

Parents say the sequel features stunning scenery but mostly offers a lackluster experience compared to its predecessor, with many reviews noting its over-the-top crudeness and reliance on familiar humor tropes. While some viewers found it entertaining and funny, the consensus leans toward disappointment due to its inappropriate content for younger audiences and an overall feeling of repetitiveness in its writing.

  • inappropriate for children
  • over-the-top crudeness
  • lacks originality
  • beautiful scenery
  • disappointing sequel
Summarized with AI

age 14+

Based on 49 kid reviews

Kids say this movie is hilarious, often describing it as funnier than its predecessor despite its raunchier content. While many enjoyed the humor and chaos, they also warned that it is filled with excessive language, violence, and inappropriate scenes, making it unsuitable for younger audiences.

  • vulgar language
  • excessive nudity
  • not for kids
  • funnier than first
  • raunchy content
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

Here we go again. On the eve of his wedding, Stu (Ed Helms) wakes up in a dingy hotel room in Bangkok, along with Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), all badly hung over. What transpired the night before? None of them can remember, but clearly it was over-the-top intense, with Stu's new facial tattoo as a lovely memento. And, wait -- where's Stu's soon-to-be teenage brother-in-law, Teddy (Mason Lee)? As they search for their missing pal, the gang tries to fill in the gaps in their memories.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 21 ):
Kids say ( 49 ):

The genius of the first Hangover is that it shocked you into hilarity with its then-unparalleled raunch and insanity; so it's no surprise that lightning can't be bottled twice. This sequel pales so much in comparison that it's nearly transparent. You know a sequel's in trouble when it has to heavily reference -- no, patently copy -- its predecessor. (Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, please laugh.)

Nearly everything in the THE HANGOVER 2 has a specific parallel to what we saw in the first movie. There's no tiger, but there's a monkey. It's not the same guy getting married, but there's a wedding -- and a missing member of the wedding party. And yes, the gang, who's all here, has yet another ridiculously wacky bachelor party. And once again, Stu wakes to find himself disfigured. Though the storyline has been transplanted overseas, it does nothing but advance the same tired jokes about Thailand. Is this the best the filmmakers can do? Thank goodness, then, for the cast's chemistry, which is the film's saving grace. Still, what a disappointment! This hangover badly needs a cure.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the film's excessive depiction of wild partying. Is the film condoning or glorifying this kind of behavior?

  • Talk about the ritual of the bachelor party -- is it a chance for real bonding or simple immature excess?

  • What do you think about the characters' loyalty to each other? Does the Wolfpack stick together?

Movie Details

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