This just in: The surprise Belmont Stakes win of Summer Bird over Mine That Bird this weekend is now reflected in the weekend box-office. Early reports had Pixar's Up edging out The Hangover as the No. 1 movie. Not so fast.
It turns out the R-rated comedy raunchfest squeaked past the family-friendly Up — $44.8 million to $44.6 million. It's a shocker. R-rated movies traditionally start slow and build if they're lucky. But here's Hangover bolting like a rocket. What happened? Will Ferrell sure could have used some of that Hangover mojo. Ferrell's adventure-comedy Land of the Lost barely scared up $19 million in its opening frame, way low for Willy Boy. So let's examine what Hangover has that the competition doesn't.
Directed by Todd Phillips (Old School) from a screenplay by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore (Four Christmases), Hangover takes moldy material (a bachelor party in Vegas? Boring!) and runs it with a fresh approach. I think it's the teamwork of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis that put Hangover out in front. And I'm looking for you to tell me which one of these three guys deserves credit as the most valuable comedy player on Team Hangover. Jockey Kent Desormeaux won applause for riding Summer Bird to victory at Belmont. Who would you pick as Hangover's MVP? I'll announce the results when you've all weighed in.
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Eijnar Amadeus | June 17, 2009 11:28 AM
I didn't find the movie all that funny, it was very entertaining and joyous but rarely laugh-out-loud funny. Anyhow, I liked all the three main characters and off course Galifianakis stole most of the show.
hdbngr63 | June 15, 2009 2:07 AM
Zach Galifianakis is definitely the MVP, though Helms has some quick one-liners ("You are literally too stupid to insult") that stick with you. But what else can you say about Zack? The man is a genius. I even loved the guy in "Out Cold," (we all have our guilty pleasure movies, right?).
Courtney | June 14, 2009 11:05 AM
Carlos, hands down.
LUKE | June 11, 2009 7:58 PM
ZACH whats-his-name. The guy had me crying.
Cassie La Russa | June 11, 2009 5:21 PM
When the trailer came out all comedic fans saw one person that actually made them get up from their couches and see this movie, and who is this mystical man you ask of?
ZACH FRICKEN GALIFIANAKIS
He is who brought the people in, and he is who entertains the greatest.
Pineapple Motel | June 11, 2009 12:22 PM
Zach Galifianakis was fantastic, but the contrast shown between he and Ed Helms was what made helms whipped dentist funny. this contrast layed in front of bradleyc cooper, the reaction guy, worked really well. So, in review, Galifianakis made the most laughs, but helms and coopers reactions were what mmade it so hilarious.
Alexa | June 11, 2009 12:16 PM
All were great. Zach stood out more because not alot of people knew who he was. This was a great movie.
ML | June 11, 2009 2:52 AM
Zach he brought it. Ed was good. Brad was good. But Zach would say some ish that was of the wall and it would be real funny.
AJ | June 11, 2009 12:01 AM
Pretty equal across the board, but I'll give it to Ed Helms. He brought the realistic reaction to every crazy event that happened. "Doug is probably somewhere getting buttfu**ed by some methheads!!!" Haha. Classic!! Zach is the obivous pick as well. Cooper was good, but Zach and Ed were the perfect sidekicks. Slight nod to Ed who is somewhay underrated in this movie.
Ryan | June 10, 2009 11:23 PM
All of them are funny in their own right, work well as an ensemble-but this is Zach Galifianakis' moment.
Ultimate warrior | June 10, 2009 9:15 PM
Zach just needs his shot. He is the funniest guy around. If you need proof, check his stand up, or sit down, or what ever you call what he does.
Tommy Dubs | June 10, 2009 6:41 PM
Actually, the MVP might have been that old lady giving Zach G A beejay on the elevator in the pictures that rolled during the credits. ROFL that was too much.
random person | June 10, 2009 3:33 PM
I have to with fat Jesus Zach Galifianakis even though Ed Helms tiger song was one of the funniest things i heard in a while.
Blinky | June 10, 2009 2:04 PM
It's all teamwork baby! None of them would have been 1/10 as funny on their own.
Evan | June 10, 2009 12:49 PM
Bradley Cooper! Talking on the PA in the cop car: "Woman in the leopard print... You have an amazing rack."
Galifinakis | June 10, 2009 11:58 AM
I laughed out loud at the rain man, reh-tard bit more than I will admit I am comfortable with.
meagan | June 10, 2009 11:25 AM
zach all the way
but i love all three of them together
bradley cooper is smokin'
and 'between two ferns' is the best
i can watch the one with him and jon hamm all day
Josh | June 10, 2009 11:07 AM
Zach Galifianakis - "What is this, a snakeskin?"
Jim Wehr | June 10, 2009 10:25 AM
all that i have to say is "Lone Wolf"
Howie Feltersnatch | June 10, 2009 9:56 AM
Zach Galifianakis makes the movie..He's priceless
Greg | June 9, 2009 10:30 PM
Dear Me,
Actually you are wrong because the vast majority of my fantasies are about the ladies.
Thus, "by definition" you are incorrect. If you do not believe me; ask your daughter.
ConcertQueen | June 9, 2009 9:02 PM
Hilarious! I laughed out loud thru the entire movie and I'm not even the target audience. I'm not sure who individually is the funniest because they all worked off one another. But Zach did give me my new fav word - "Ra-tard." That guy above from Las Vegas needs to go see this movie.
Amanda | June 9, 2009 8:48 PM
I feel like everyone isn't counting Bradley Cooper because he's done romantic comedies like "He's Just Not That Into You" and he's the most attractive one. If you can look past that stuff, he's hilarious.
Chillen McWho | June 9, 2009 8:34 PM
Zach Galifianakis. The scene where he asked whether ceasars palace was the real thing or when he kept correcting everybody on his man purse ("it's a satchel!") were hilarious. Hands down Galifianakis.
EG | June 9, 2009 8:33 PM
It's got to be Ed Helms. Zach Galifianakis did what any idiot could do with that movie and blurted out something dumb at opportune moments. Characters like that are a dime a dozen in comedies today. Bradley Cooper's character was funny, but Ed Helm's character was hilarious, believable, and easier to relate to than the other two.
Tommy Dubs | June 9, 2009 7:43 PM
I think the real MVP might have been the movies kick ass soundtrack they were rockin
Rhi | June 9, 2009 7:01 PM
Ed Helms! End of story.
Anonymous | June 9, 2009 6:02 PM
Zach Galifianakis hands down. even if he wouldnt have said a word he wouldve been the funniest because of that beard
mna-mna | June 9, 2009 4:44 PM
Ed Helms was definitely my favorite! Love how he described Heather Graham's career choice as "savvy." The man can do sarcasm! And panicky. He does a very convincing panicky.
tracker | June 9, 2009 4:19 PM
Ed Helms
JP | June 9, 2009 4:07 PM
As someone who lives in Las Vegas, "The Hangover" looks and sounds like a dog. Too many overused cliches I've seen tourists lamely try to imitate when they come here. So, I saw "Up" this weekend and loved it.
However, I might rent "The Hangover". Mainly, for Zach G. (I'm not going to attempt to spell his last name.) I've been a fan of his since "Tru Calling". Also, check out his performance in the music video "Not About Love" by Fiona Apple.
mike l | June 9, 2009 3:54 PM
ZACH!!! no bones about it .. hey was a beauty
J Stephani | June 9, 2009 3:50 PM
While the casting for all three parts was spot-on, Zach Galifianakis provided the element of absurdity that is so hard to find. Ironically, it was Ferrell that provided this spark in Todd Phillips' Old School that made it a classic, and now he is being foiled by a new trio of comedy actors. Ed Helms is reliably hilarious in any role that is even close to his character on the Office, and Bradley Cooper was a good choice but he was mainly eye candy for females (at least in the theater I was in, he received reactions mostly from drooling females) and then secondly, a provider of laughs. Galifianakis took the cake and will receive the biggest boost from his role in this film.
KAH | June 9, 2009 2:51 PM
*forgot to add Rob Riggle
KAH | June 9, 2009 2:49 PM
While all 3 were hilarious (Ed Helms being my personal favorite, love him on the Office), the supporting cast (notably Mike Tyson, Ken Jeong, and Heather Graham to a lesser extent) really put this over the top.
Could have done without the SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER DONT WANNA UPSET THOSE TOO LAZY TO SEE THE MOVIE bj pics. Otherwise the photos at the end were as funny as the movie itself.
pat | June 9, 2009 2:25 PM
ed helms was hysterical. the song on piano was fantastic and the bet made with zach about his tooth. zach was good also, especially with the blood brothers bit. i didn't know what to expect but it was fucking hysterical
me | June 9, 2009 1:51 PM
Greg (6/8, 6.50pm) - I'd say that does not make you heterosexual, by definition.
Smitty | June 9, 2009 1:34 PM
Jack Black and Michael Cera are awesome in Year One.
John | June 9, 2009 1:29 PM
Ed was the best. Great comedian, but also great musician. Did you note in the credits that he wrote that song he sang, accompanying himself on the piano? Outstanding Talent
Javier | June 9, 2009 1:21 PM
Saw the movie last night and thought it was brilliant and damn funny!
I watch the office and Ed Helms is by far my favorite on the show, so I was excited to see him in the movie. Both he and Brad Cooper were hilarious and really shone, but the wild card element that kept the movie going and consistently feuling their fires and the audience's was Zach Galifianakis. Hands down, MVP!
Apatow who?
saraojai | June 9, 2009 12:48 PM
it was the ensemble & writing that made it really funny.
can't attribute a best to any. each one only moderately funny, it's the playing against each other that made the movie.
Dj Cocaine | June 9, 2009 12:36 PM
Zach was even greater in this than Out Cold.
I like the part where he tells him its okay to switch lanes.
I can't believe you fell for that.
Blake | June 9, 2009 12:35 PM
Bradley Cooper was the funniest actor in this movie, by far.
Hawkins | June 9, 2009 11:04 AM
Mike Tyson
Ed Helms | June 9, 2009 10:14 AM
Zach Galifianakis
James | June 9, 2009 9:54 AM
Balls! When does this movie come to Switzerland? Stupid international distribution taking forever. I'd want to see Ed in a good roll as he's been funny ever since the Daily Show.
mv | June 9, 2009 8:59 AM
zach duh
Elizabeth | June 9, 2009 8:16 AM
Most definitely Zach.
Gandhi | June 9, 2009 7:59 AM
Zach Zach Zach Zach.
Galifianatic | June 9, 2009 3:28 AM
Was stoked to see him in the perfect role to baptize audiences with his awkward genius.
Get on Netflix and get his comedy special. See "Between two Ferns" and any other online video you can find with him in it. His twin brother is even funnier than he is.
purple | June 9, 2009 2:59 AM
Zach
yamanese | June 9, 2009 2:31 AM
Zach was the best by far, but I think everyone is sort of caught up in the fresh of breath air that he brings to the table. The fact that he isn't Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, or Paul Rudd in combination with the fact that he is hilarious is what makes him so exhilerating. He was great. I hope he doesn't become overexposed.
Winston | June 9, 2009 2:18 AM
Ken Jeong was fucking hilarious. I keep laughing when I think of him saying, "too-da-loo, mutha fucka!"
Charlie | June 9, 2009 2:06 AM
Carrot Top
Nathan Johnson | June 9, 2009 1:17 AM
Zach Galifinaski
Matt S. | June 9, 2009 1:06 AM
It's all about Zach Galifianakis, who finally found a film that captures his sense of humor well.
EOO | June 9, 2009 12:53 AM
Carrot Top doing lines...i literally peed....
Alicia | June 9, 2009 12:36 AM
Ed.
Ken | June 9, 2009 12:31 AM
Ed Helms
Continues to showcase his musical chops which should be noted since we are on RS.com lol. Second place tie for Coop and Zach. They played really well off of each other.
lala | June 9, 2009 12:18 AM
ed helms.
he was great in the daily show and he is great in the office and this movie
BBB | June 9, 2009 12:10 AM
I have to say Ed Helms. Dude rocked the straight guy part, and it was different from anything he had done before. I really liked him in it. :)
LOL | June 8, 2009 11:40 PM
I love how the beard man came from Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job featured at around 2am on weekdays on Adult Swim. Now he is in a number one box office hit!!
chris | June 8, 2009 10:29 PM
All three were great, but anyone other than Zach in the roll of Allan and that movie wouldn't have been nearly as funny.
Ed Helms is a distant second.
Anonymous | June 8, 2009 10:10 PM
zach
Obacon | June 8, 2009 10:04 PM
Zach Galifianakis-no contest
Robert | June 8, 2009 9:57 PM
Mike Tyson.
C. A. Brown | June 8, 2009 9:57 PM
These three were great. Zach was one of the best, but my vote is on the baby. Never laughed so hard in all my life. Too funny.
LikedThemAll | June 8, 2009 9:56 PM
I think the combo of all three was perfect - noone got annoying or overplayed! Zach G is the man, but like Willy Boy, he gets annoying in large doses. The comedy gets redundant. I think this trio was well-rounded and hilarious!
doobler | June 8, 2009 9:11 PM
Zach Galifianakis was freakin awesome. Him and Danny McBride have to be the funniest up and comers in the comedy business right now.
Anonymous | June 8, 2009 8:36 PM
Zach Galifianakis is one of the funniest men alive right now. I'd say it's a tie between he, Patton Oswalt, and Danny McBride. I got much bigger laughs from Zach in this film when he was just subdued and awkward. "Does Caesar really live here?" Zach wins the race, hands down.
jennifer toronto | June 8, 2009 8:24 PM
I havent seen hangover but i know how it feels, dam.
Bradley cooper is so hot gives me a reason to see him.
Wasnt the guy with the beard in hangover on comedy central a few years back with his own show?? I need to know pplease.
Anyway will watch the movie at first i thought it was going to open very well but surprise surprise.
Andi | June 8, 2009 8:20 PM
Bradley Cooper
Zach S | June 8, 2009 7:49 PM
Id honestly would have to say all three of them. each were extremely hilarious and brought something amazing and different to the film. i dont think the film would be what it is if it was missing one of them. the combo of all three made the film so great, so all three of them are the mvps!!!
Andrew Perez | June 8, 2009 7:11 PM
There really wasn't a contest. If Zach wasn't in this movie, it would not be nearly as good. He added a fresh dimension of being hilariously ignorant to pretty much everything as well as being completely different than his fresh looking counterparts. Yet, he was the most integral piece of the puzzle. Every time I made the mistake of chalking up the story to some greater moral lesson, Alan was there to not only refute that inclination, but in the same sense, remain gleefully unaware that he was, in fact, rejecting that same notion of seriousness.
Greg | June 8, 2009 6:50 PM
They were all great but, Bradley Cooper, is who kept my interest.
Additionally, I am a 39 year old heterosexual who found myself wanting to fuck him.
Allison C | June 8, 2009 6:29 PM
I saw it last night and thought it was the funniest movie I've ever seen. Zach was awesome...
Ethan Carota | June 8, 2009 6:08 PM
Wow another outrageous comedy that's totally in my face starring 3 crazy frat guys.
Who'da thunk this would do so well?
Nobody's ever even dreamed of making a movie like this before!!!
Sorry I forgot to vote.
Dour Gent | June 8, 2009 5:58 PM
Your mother.
Josh L | June 8, 2009 5:56 PM
Zach.
You can write a character, but Zach found it and let us watch a new dynamic on the screen which was plain awkward and hilarious.
Dan B | June 8, 2009 5:51 PM
Definitely Zach.
He was in Kanye's video for "Can't Tell Me Nothing" - which was in the movie, obvs.
Dianne | June 8, 2009 5:44 PM
All 3 of these guys are hilarious and compliment each other nicely. It's a good balance, and they work well as a team.
Zach's Mom | June 8, 2009 5:23 PM
Zach
M. Kennedy | June 8, 2009 5:21 PM
Galifianakis is always hilarious. I was happy to see him get the screen time. Here's hoping there are more R-rated vehicles for him in the future. He was even great in his very small role in Into the Wild.
John Debono | June 8, 2009 5:03 PM
Zach Galifianakis is the funniest of the main characters but without Cooper and Helms are both very strong and help to balance the Hangover in reality. Which is an underrated aspect in a good comedy. So its a close call but solely for the amount I laughed in the film my vote belong to Galifianakis.
Zach Galifianakis | June 8, 2009 4:51 PM
Zach Galifianakis.
A. Esparza | June 8, 2009 4:33 PM
Zach Galifianakis all the way. He was the best thing in the Ashton Kutcher vehicle "What Happens In Vegas," as well. With the hilarious question, "do you even know how to drive an automatic?"