I think and talk quite a bit about movies. With a full three-day weekend of wilderness surroundings to fuel my wit (Death Valley and Sequoia National Forest) I think I know how “The Hangover 2” could have been “somewhat” less redundant. If I had been assigned to medicate the script, my suggestions would have revolved around finding another source for the debauchery than Alan’s wishing them all a great time.

1. Stu’s soon-to-be-father-in-law be responsible for the hangover: Wanting to show his daughter the potential screw-up she is about to marry, he surreptitiously slips the Wolfpack a tainted rehearsal dinner cocktail. This plot-point could have been bolstered by the father-in-law’s surprise at Stu’s not standing for (pun clearly intended) his disapproving antics, a resolve he developed after breaking up with that bossy, bartender-loving, stripper-hating shrew from the first film.

2. Stu’s soon-to-be-brother-in-law be responsible for the hangover: Wanting to rid himself of the burdensome expectations of greatness bestowed on him by his father, Teddy wants to finally cut loose and re-live an evening he heard so much about from his sister’s cool new circle of friends.

3. The Monkey: The guys remember everything up until the Monkey. They convince Stu to take the boat to Bankok, just for the evening, and agree to accompany Chow and Alan on their drug run. (This would also happen in real time.) Enraptured by the Monkey, Alan unknowingly signals the Monkey to deliver another drug, depositing it in their drinks. Hijinks ensue.

I love the first film. It was a surprise on many levels. I liked the sequel mainly because I just wanted to be back in the Wolfpack. Unfortunately, the foreign setting wasn’t enough to overcome the fact that the surprises that made the first one so great we’re already ruined.