Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Hangover (2009)

DPHangoverReview What is it about?

Four men venture over to Las Vegas before their buddy’s wedding for a Bachelor party they would never forget. After a wild night of partying and drunken misadventures, three of the groomsmen must retrace their night and use to the clues to find their now missing about-to-be-wed buddy.

Who is in it?

Bradley Cooper – Phil Wenneck

Ed Helms – Stu Price

Zach Galifianakis – Alan Garner

Justin Bartha – Doug Billings


Favorite Scene:


When the three guys find themselves in custody for stealing a police squad car the night before, the two arresting officers agree to let them go after they served as test dummies for the children to practice and experience using a taser gun.

Favorite Quote:

Alan Garner: Do you know if the hotel is pager friendly?
Lisa (Hotel Receptionist): What do you mean?
Alan Garner: I'm not getting a sig' on my beeper.
Lisa: I'm not sure.
Alan Garner: Is there a payphone bank? Buncha payphones? Business.
Lisa: Umm, there's a phone in your room...
Alan Garner: That'll work.

Review:

Well I’m sure a solid and influential review at this point in regards to The Hangover is near pointless, as everyone and their cousin as the saying goes, has seen the film. However, contrary to popular action, I had not, and was recommended to watch The Hangover, as it was billed as, “one of the funniest movies you will ever see.” While, I  will admit The Hangover is funny, and at times hilarious, “one of the funniest moves you will ever see” seems like a stretch.

Now, that view could very well be due to the timing of viewing the movie, as it is in reflection after the general consensus hype. Nonetheless, The Hangover is a movie with a clever plot of men retracing steps of the night before not in order to find out what happened, but to find their friend.

The greatest attribute to the success of the Hangover is the definition and uniqueness of the characters. Each are distinct amongst the entire group, which helps the story and the comedy. The real star of the movie, and quite honestly in my opinion, the character that made the movie was that of Alan Garner, played by Zach Galifiankis.

However, in the end, the film is very similar to many late comedies in the market, The Hangover needed lude and offensive material in order to capture and generate laughs. The random actions from the night made the film entertaining (especially Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins), but definitely not as funny as films such as 40 Year Old Virgin and Orange County to name a few.

Grade: 3/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

WWE SummerSlam 2026 Review: "Oba is made in the shade" & Roman vs. Seth Captures Magic

I can't say I was excited about SummerSlam heading into the event. Some storylines have moved me, but, much like pro wrestling in 2026, it feels like yet another incomplete creative vehicle (some good, some bad), with the hope that the event itself will overcome the shortcomings of the hype.  Admittedly, WWE could pull this off this weekend with some memorable moments (and outcomes), specifically from the two main title matches and from Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. Maybe a return or two as well. Chances are, they likely will.  Personally, I have Penta vs. Chad Gable circled. I might be the only one, I know.  Nonetheless, happy SummerSlam weekend, everyone.  --- Random Tidbits Is it me, or were the overall vibes going into this year's SummerSlam just...well, off? I've already cited build, but there was just something else...ah well.  I know attendance is always a discussion point, but 30K+ is still pretty dam impressive for each night.  The stage was VERY impr...

The Last Decision - Why Lebron to Philly is Amazing

LeBron finally made his last decision, and yet, at 41 years old, in the year of our lord, 2026 - here we all are with our own opinion on his next chapter. It's quite amazing. The run. The career. The longevity of relevance. All of it. Sooooooooo, he's headed to the Philadelphia 76ers. [commence rant and hot takes] Not really. I gave the "Last Decision," as dubbed by James, some time to breathe, to take in the reality of it, the basketball side, and of course, the sports discourse, and I find myself with the following reaction:  LeBron James is amazing.  That's it?! Come on, bro! Really, that is it. That's it!  At first, I thought the Knicks' championship still had me delirious (Knicks in five, babayyy!). But as time went on and the discussions roared, annoyed, and carried on into some tired themes and rhetoric, I kept finding myself back in a place of awe and amazement at the entire thing. This dude is 41 years old, and he is still dictating so much of th...