I had a Monday afternoon off and I was walking at the mall by myself. I walked by the theatre and noticed that The Hangover II was scheduled to start in 20 minutes, so I bought a ticket. I walked into the theatre, and there was just one other person seated. I wondered, if a theatre sells no tickets to a showing, do they still show the movie? I guess it’s kinda like wondering if the light is on the refrigerator when the door’s closed.

At any rate, as soon as I sit down the previews start. I’m seated in the second row from the top, in the middle of the row. The other person in the theatre was seated in the middle of the theatre on the right-hand side, as you’re looking at the screen. We must have both been thinking alike because we both have our feet up, a big drink, and we’re not too concerned about having our phone on and sending text messages.

The movie starts with some strong points, and while there are no gut-busters in the first few segments there are some entertaining parts. Then, about 10 minutes into the movie, a third person comes into the theatre and sits on the left-hand side of the theatre. That may answer my question I guess; they would still show the movie if they sell no tickets by show time, just in case someone comes late.

I knew going into this movie based on both what I had heard and my assumption, that this was not a movie that was going to “change the world,” make anyone forget about Titanic, or win any awards. To be honest, I don’t need any of that to like a movie. I just wanted to kick back and be entertained for two hours. That is what I got. The formula or playbook was nearly identical to the first. I must admit that I watched pretty closely to see if I could figure out what caused the hangover, and I still didn’t catch it.

If there is a Hangover III, the formula is going to have to change though. For starters, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Doug (Justin Bartha) are all married now. Does that mean Alan (Zach Galifianakis) is actually going to get married? (Maybe Mike Tyson will get married…I doubt it.) Also, as in the first movie, Doug had a rather minor role compared to the other members of the “Wolf Pack.” Will that change? Phil’s wife played a little more of a role in this movie than in the first. Maybe, the third will somehow include the wives.

Finally, I was disappointed that we still didn’t learn where the chickens came from in the first Hangover.

– Written by Jim Anaple