One of the most amazing genre hybrids that can be found on the market today is the action-comedy subgenre. Action comedies often combine the two distinct subgenres of comedy and action into a one overarching commercial endeavor, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular throughout the globe.
1. The Hangover Part III (2013)
The original Hangover was a groundbreaking and hilarious lookmovie that introduced the world to Zach Galifianakis. Unfortunately, the franchise spawned two sequels that aren’t nearly as good as the first. Despite its attempts to redeem itself, Part III fails to stand up against the mediocre quality of the first two installments. Instead, it becomes a tired and derivative retread.
The Wolf Pack (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zack Galifianakis) is back in this third and final chapter of the series but it doesn’t feel like the same cast. The action scenes feel more reminiscent of Bad Boys and there is less humor here than in the previous films.
2. The Hangover Part IV (2013)
Once the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever, The Hangover introduced Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis to no end of riotous debauchery. But a sequel that reeked of laziness, The Hangover Part II (2011), proved that the series’ sultry charms could only be sustained for so long. That said, The Hangover Part III is a more ambitious effort than its predecessors. While Phillips and screenwriter Craig Mazin seem less concerned with the humor and more with penning a freaky desert chase epic, it still lacks the punchy moments that made the first two movies so eminently entertaining.
The film’s most memorable scene comes from Mike Tyson, who shows up in their hotel room and gets them to sing Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” before dropping Alan with a vicious right hook. But the rest of this tame sequel is not worth wasting your time on.
3. Hot Fuzz (2013)
Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg follow their cult classic zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead with this third entry in their Cornetto Trilogy. They are joined by Nick Frost for Hot Fuzz, an action-packed buddy cop flick that will not fail to impress. After working in the big city of London, Sergeant Nicolas Angel (Pegg) is sent to a small English village that has won ‘Village of the Year’ awards numerous times. There, he soon realizes the people aren’t quite as pleasant as they seem and that there are some dark secrets to be revealed.
In between snatching away bits from Bad Boys II and Point Break, Wright throws in plenty of sly satire and wry humor. It’s a perfect example of the kind of comedy that doesn’t feel dated, unfunny or old.
4. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2013)
Throughout the Mission: Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise has halo-jumped, rock-climbed and motorcycle-dueled his way across dozens of countries as Ethan Hunt. He has a team of series regulars (like Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames) who help him out. This year’s Rogue Nation is directed by Oscar winner Christopher McQuarrie, whose previous experience includes The Usual Suspects and Edge of Tomorrow. It’s a very different film than the earlier installments in the franchise, which featured directors like Brian De Palma, John Woo and Brad Bird.
The film is fast, action-packed and dynamic, with a sense of forward momentum that keeps the pelispedia movie on its toes. It doesn’t quite reach the high points of the third and fourth installments, but it has plenty of thrills and is a solid entry in the genre. It’s a must-see for fans of the franchise as well as those who enjoy a good cinematic adventure.
5. The Hangover Part V (2013)
The Hangover Part V (2013) is the final installment of director Todd Phillips’ popular series of shock-value comedies. The film reunites the original cast of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis. A decade after the first Hangover movie hit theaters, its nervy dentist buddy Stu (Ed Helms) and wild-and-crazy guy Alan (Zach Galifianakis) find themselves on another misadventure-packed trip. Unfortunately, Stu and Alan end up facing a new crisis and the Wolfpack must band together to get Alan the help he needs.
The Hangover Part V is the least funny of the series, but it still delivers plenty of laughs and a few low-brow shocks. Ultimately, though, this sequel is just as lazy as its predecessor, leaving audiences wondering how it could have been better. Its hapless execution is the result of a script that feels like it was written by someone who just didn’t have enough time to think up some good material.
