It’s hardly a shock “The Hangover Part II” crushed the box office registers over the Memorial Day weekend.
But were customers happy with their ticket-buying decision? Does it matter at this point?
Tally in the film’s Thursday figures – it enjoyed a day-early release to maximize profits – and you’re looking at $137 for the five-day weekend.
The best way to tell Hollywood we want more sequels is to rush out and see the latest ones on opening weekend. It’s that time when the first conversations about extending the franchise begin in earnest. Sure, the suits are always on the prowl for sequels, but all the giddy talk of a third, fourth or even fifth “Hangover” begins after the real numbers start rolling in.
As a movie fan I know how hard it came be to wait a few weeks – even a day or two – to catch the latest movies. There’s something about seeing a hotly anticipated movie on opening night that can’t be matched. But when we arrive en masse to see sequels made for the most cynical of reasons we help perpetuate a nasty cycle.
“The Hangover Part II” could have been good. The elements were all in place, from a fine trio of actors to a premise that’s as far-fetched as it is impossible to resist. And Stu’s Mike Tyson-esque face tattoo? Priceless.
But the film merely mimics the original with a few limp R-rated jokes sprinkled on top.
Can anyone realistically expect a third “Hangover” will measure up to the first film – or even the slapdash second?
So whenever possible wait a few days for the initial wave of critics’ reviews – and a smattering of Tweets from friends – to roll in before taking the plunge on the next questionable sequel.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Of course it crushed the box office – it was the only new new movie that wasn’t 3D.
Even given that scenario the film’s numbers are massive. But it is interesting to see film goers start to avoid 3-D in general.
I missed it simply because how many so called cult like films have amazing sequels?
SuperTroopers, Office Space and the like? And when a film of this type gets a sequel, how well does it do generally? (Airplane 2, Clerks 2, etc)
So you have to ask yourself, why would you drop 9 dollars for a film that’s average at best and includes lame payoffs? Why would you drop 9 dollars down on a film that will be in the Wal-Mart discount bin in a year and no one will buy it.
Of course it did well this weekend, what is the long term outlook? But, alas, I know full well that if the movie opens like this that’s all those bean counters care about.
What part of Lowest Common Denominator is difficult to understand?
In all fairness to your spot-on question about even more sequels to Hangover, CT, the Austin Powers franchise — to which Hangover II shares lame Xerox qualities to Spy Who Shagged Me, even down to its own Mini-Me — was actually redeemed by its third entry. Now if only Todd Philips could get Michael Caine …