Remember how great The Hangover was? How it left you knocked-out like you’ve just had one-too-many with the boys, or like you were just clocked in the face by Mike Tyson? And then The Hangover Part II returned like a friend who would not shut up about his summer vacation, telling the same stories over and over until the punch line almost stops being funny. Well, perk up because The Wolfpack is back in director Todd Phillips’ (Road Trip, Old School) The Hangover Part III, featuring the best comedic eulogy since Zoolander with the worst miniature model joke rip-off since Zoolander.
The final instalment of the record-breaking comedy franchise contains a number of welcome cameos from the past (and, of course, heroes Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms), as well as some fresh meat. In a moment of pop-culture crossover, two prenuptial comedies are joined in holy matrimony as Bridesmaids‘ Melissa McCarthy appears as a Vegas pawnshop cashier. (Those hoping to see Justin Bartha in action will be disappointed to learn that his role as Doug is, once again, reduced to near cameo status as Bartha’s star in the real world continues to rise and waver.) The film offers a welcome change from the bachelor party > roofie > mayhem model, instead focusing on the journey Alan (Zach Galifianakis) takes to a correctional facility following an incident with giraffe on the freeway. Needless to say, shit gets cray and people end up in Tijuana, Mexico.
Although the latest film is a massive step up from the second instalment, it’s not as good as the first film – but did you really expect it to be? If Part II was the incarnate of the head-pounding hangover from the first’s drunken success, then Part III is like that inevitable Sunday morning when one learns to enjoy brunch without Advil: not all too exciting, but a nice reflection on the night that was. (A fourth movie is totally out of the question, but stick around for the end credits for a piece of the would-be action.)
The farewell film’s greatest contribution to the series is the increased screen time for Ken Jeong, a beautiful man of many faces: comedian, actor, father, licensed doctor (though he was “not Patch Adams”). We’ve seen him jump on screens both big and small, from a Spanish teacher to an agent to a dictator. But our favourite Jeongian face has to be the psychotic Mr. Chow he plays in this franchise.
In honour of the collective sighs that will be heard throughout theatres tonight from bros in mourning, here’s a sampling of Jeong’s words of wisdom.
On the art of nude scenes:
“The seeds were planted in the first Hangover. Honestly it was my idea to jump out naked of that trunk. I think that was my main contribution. I remember in the script it was calling for Mr. Chow to have clothes on, and I remember reading the script thinking, “This scene is screaming for Chow to be naked.” And I’m not an exhibitionist at heart — I’m the kind of guy who’s so shy about his body I don’t like to take my shirt off at the beach. I felt it was imperative that that had to happen. I think that bonded me and Todd Phillips early on.”
On Zach Galifianakis:
“Zach and I have been friends going on fifteen years, and, in many ways, he’s been a big influence. Even when we did standup together, he was always the funniest guy. I’d have to say the funniest comedian acting right now is Zach.”
On Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up, Freaks & Geeks, and Undeclared:
“Knocked Up was the first movie I’d ever done, and Judd Apatow discovered me. I mean, I was still working as a doctor, auditioning for a doctor. I think it was Seth Rogen who saw my audition tape, and I think he first told Judd about me. It was about a three month search for that part and I was such a big Freaks & Geeks and Undeclared fan and I was literally at the table read with everyone from the cast — I still hadn’t gotten the part — the table read was my second audition for it and it was the most nerve wracking audition I’ve ever had. I was with Judd and the studio and everybody including all the actors — you know, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, you know everyone that [has become a superstar] now was in the room. I just remember feeling star-struck.”
…On his favourite deleted Hangover scene:
“In the first movie when it’s revealed that it’s Black Doug that we have in custody and when Zach [Galifianakis] falls out of the car for a second time to do a fat joke. When they punch him in the stomach earlier I say, “It’s funny because he’s fat,” and then I said that twice and I explain to the bodyguards, “In comedy that’s called a call back.” I’m really mimicking what the audience is actually thinking. In comedy that’s a meta-joke. Chow is a meta-joke.” [You can see the outtakes from the scene here, definitely NSFW.]
On a Chow spin-off:
“This is my favourite character. I’ve told Todd about it too, I would love to do a Chow spin-off. I’m curious to see if that’s possible to do. I have confidence that it could be possible, because Chow, he’s my favourite character I’ve ever played.”
On Community’s Señor/Student/Security Guard Chang and evil genius Kevin:
“When it comes to Chang, [he’s] been so many different characters. Sometimes I wonder myself, Where are you guys going with this?, but the reason I never complain about it is because, to me, Community has been my Steppenwolf Theatre, it’s been my acting studio. I’m glad I wasn’t Professor Chang for four years — that would be boring. Every year, I get to learn how to play someone new, a different incarnation of Chang. It’s really a testament to the writers.”
On what would happen if in an Alternate Timeline Community’s Chang met The Hangover’s Chow:
“Chow would just eat Chang raw like sushi, no doubt about it. Chow would just devour Chang. I hope that timeline would never happen; I don’t want them to meet. It’s like cock-fighting — you just don’t want that to happen. By the way: that timeline episode [“Remedial Chaos Theory”, Season 3, Episode 4] might be my favorite episode of the whole series. It’s so genius.”
The Hangover Part III opens nationwide today. This interview has been edited and condensed.
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Jeremy Schipper is an intern at Toronto Standard. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeromeoschipps.
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