Linkage
Vanity Fair's Julian Sancton has carefully compared Todd Phillips' Old School and The Hangover. and concluded that The Hangover is "pretty much an Old School sequel. The names and faces have been changed, but the structure is almost identical."
Here's Nikki Finke's reporting about the real-life origins of the Hangover script/project.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 9, 2009 at 10:09 AM
comment #1
Stringer Bell
says ...
Luke Wilson was the worst part of 'Old School'. Felt like he was sleepwalking thru the role.
Liked 'The Hangover' a lot more than 'Old School'.
Posted by Stringer Bell
at June 9, 2009 10:25 AM
comment #2
Gordon27
says ...
Yeah, I haven't seen 'The Hangover' yet, but it seems like *everybody* likes Ed Helms in it, while *nobody* liked Wilson in 'Old School', so even if it is the same, it's still an improvement.
Posted by Gordon27
at June 9, 2009 10:47 AM
comment #3
mtgilchrist
says ...
What a joyless article. Wow - you pointed out that two movies that are contemporary comedies from the same director are similar - Pauline Kael and Ebert look out! Good to know that the print world is still justifying its existence; I think maybe I'll launch a magazine called Firm Grasp On the Obvious Monthly, because if this is what constitutes substantive and thoughtful analysis, it can't lose.
Posted by mtgilchrist
at June 9, 2009 11:13 AM
comment #4
ElstonGunnAICN
says ...
While you're on comparison pieces, this was posted yesterday:
http://bloglynch.blogspot.com/2009/06/30-rock-is-rip-off-of-muppet-show.html
Posted by ElstonGunnAICN
at June 9, 2009 11:17 AM
comment #5
Bilge
says ...
Funny, I wrote this same piece yesterday:
http://blogs.amctv.com/future-of-classic/2009/06/the-hangover-or-old-school.php
It's not that one is a sequel to the other, it's that Phillips & co. have struck on a formula for this sort of thing that works. Actually, one could compare the three main characters in each film to the ego, the superego, and the id. Voila. Comedy gold!
Posted by Bilge
at June 9, 2009 11:46 AM
comment #6
Phatang!
says ...
Obviously it's not a sequel. As to "formula"... so what? Hitchcock had a formula. Chaplin had a formula. Dickens had a formula. There's nothing inherently wrong with it.
I'm no fan of Todd Phillips, and have no interest in seeing this movie, but I can see nothing wrong with making movie after movie that utilize the same structure and themes and character types. If that's where your talent is, do it, just make it fresh in other ways.
Posted by Phatang!
at June 9, 2009 12:08 PM
comment #7
Bilge
says ...
Phatang, I wasn't suggesting that there's anything wrong with this formula. I personally happen to love both OLD SCHOOL and THE HANGOVER.
Posted by Bilge
at June 9, 2009 12:52 PM
comment #8
MickTravis
says ...
I *like* Todd Phillips. He's one of the few comic directors making movies that literally feel like an extension of primo John Landis/Harold Ramis material. They're not perfect, but they feel lived-in and have moments of brilliance.
Anybody know if "Frat House" will *ever* see the light of day?
Posted by MickTravis
at June 9, 2009 1:30 PM
comment #9
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
Just got back from The Hangover and it was a right good time at the movies. The audience loved it. Just a quality, consistently funny and well-made comedy film. I'm glad it's doing well at the box office.
The three leads were all great. And I was surprised how slick it looked. A lot nicer to look at than the average comedy.
Well done.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at June 9, 2009 6:08 PM