--- title: "The Hangover: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-hangover/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-hangover" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Hangover (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 16 reviews: 13 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it, and the praise clusters in the same place. The reviews call it consistently, sometimes painfully funny, and credit the structure: skipping the night itself and starting with the morning after keeps the stag-do premise from feeling tired. The cast gets the rest of the credit. Nearly every review names Zach Galifianakis as the discovery, and several praise the easy chemistry between the three leads and Ken Jeong’s turn as Mr Chow. The reservations are about what the jokes are aimed at. Slant and Time Out both object to how the film treats women, and Slant adds Asians and gay men to the list; Time Out finds the characters unlikeable and the gags tired. The New York Times wonders whether the laughs survive a second look. A smaller group, Den of Geek among them, finds it solid rather than exceptional, with chuckles more than belly laughs. The spread is wide, but the bottom is thinly populated: one negative review among sixteen. ## Empire — Simon Braund Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 28 May 2009. The critic calls it a furiously paced, inventive and flat-out hilarious take on a tried-and-tested formula that maintains heart alongside the laughs. The effortless chemistry between the leads, especially the star-making turn by Galifianakis, is highlighted as a key strength. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hangover-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2009. The critic calls it a piercingly funny, twisted caper that makes full use of its R rating. They single out the crack ensemble cast, especially Zach Galifianakis's breakout turn, and the director's deadpan comic timing. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hangover-film-review-93225/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2009. The critic finds the film a surprising and consistently hilarious comedy that avoids clichés by skipping the night of debauchery and focusing on the aftermath. The inventive structure, creative exploration of Vegas misadventures, and strong performances from the unknown cast are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/red-cliff-john-woo-148-mins-15-the-hangover-todd-phillips-100-mins-15-1704553.html) ## Little White Lies — Limara Salt Rating 3/4/4. 12 June 2009. The critic finds it a genuinely funny and consistently entertaining Hollywood comedy that puts a fresh spin on the stag do premise. Everything from characters to set-ups and lines works well. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-hangover) ## Radio Times — Karen Krizanovich Rating 4/5. The critic praises this inventive and cleverly plotted comedy that blends deadpan and hysterical moments without relying on cheap gross-out humor. The wild stag-do mishaps and situations are believably funny. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-2pzybu/the-hangover/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2009. Festival review. The critic calls it a proudly inappropriate comedy buoyed by a clever script and strong chemistry among the male leads that elicits steady laughs from its raucous Vegas premise. It should play well with audiences. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-hangover/5001545.article) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2009. The critic finds the film crass and offensive as expected from a Vegas frat-boy comedy but also really very funny and bizarrely gripping much of the time. They single out the uproarious performance of Ken Jeong as the camp Chinese gangster Mr Chow for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jun/12/film-review-the-hangover) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 2009. The film is often very funny, thanks in part to the three lead actors who bring freshness to familiar masculine stereotypes. It delivers crude humor leavened by inventiveness and wit, though its appeal may fade upon closer examination of what prompts the laughter. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/movies/05hang.html) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2009. The critic calls it a frat-boy comedy high on befuddled charm with easygoing chemistry between the leads and gags that are often hot though sometimes not, resulting in a sweetly raucous overall effect. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/comedy/article/the-hangover-3vx00z6w27s) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 1 June 2009. The critic sees it as the apotheosis of gonzo male camaraderie fantasies, praising Galifianakis's showcase of weird one-liners and the pile-up of outrageous revelations. They complain about the slandering of Asians, gays, and women as shrill nags along with a predictable narrative. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-hangover/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 2009. The critic finds the film obnoxious and crass with an unpleasant attitude toward women, wasting its intriguing premise on unlikeable characters and tired gags. Only a few performances stand out amid the aggression. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-hangover-1) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2009. The critic describes it as a gut-bustingly funny boy's own comedy and probably Phillips' funniest film to date, highlighting his skill at turning bawdy concepts into crowdpleasers and the standout cast performances. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a156852/the-hangover/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B+. 4 June 2009. The critic calls "The Hangover" rude, loud, and painfully hilarious, a contender for the funniest film of the year despite upcoming comedies. They single out Zach Galifianakis's impeccable comedic timing as the main reason to see it. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-hangover-review/) ## The Playlist — Rodrigo Perez Rating B. 4 June 2009. The critic finds the film frequently amusing and entertaining with some riotous laughs, particularly from Galifianakis, but far from a comedy classic or perfect execution. He singles out the improvisational moments and closing credits as highlights amid an otherwise above-average but unremarkable frat comedy. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/hangover-is-not-stone-cold-comedy-20090604/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 2009. The critic praises the film's unexpected intelligence and character depth in a mainstream comedy about a disastrous stag night in Vegas. She singles out the sharp script, realistic tone, and observational humor about male friendships and shared failure. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-hangover-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 3/5. 11 June 2009. The critic finds The Hangover a solid but not exceptional comedy that falls short of Phillips' earlier work like Old School, with chuckles rather than belly laughs. Strong lead performances, especially from Galifianakis, are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-hangover-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-hangover.md