Monday Morning Quarterback Part II

By BOP Staff

June 1, 2011

Milk was a bad idea.

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Why isn't the monkey on this list?

Kim Hollis: Since The Hangover Part II has already earned half of its predecessor's total in five days, it's clear that Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Ken Jeong are leveling up as celebrities. Which of their careers do you believe will be aided the most?

Edwin Davies: I'd go for Ed Helms, personally, because even though he plays the least outrageous character in the films, he's probably the most likable. Both Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis have had hits in between Hangovers (though both were helped by co-starring with famous Roberts in those films), so I don't think this will bring them all that much more attention than they were getting anyway. As much as I like him on Community, I think that Ken Jeong's persona might be too abrasive for him to become a star in his own right. It might get him higher-profile supporting roles, but I don't think he'll get his own Due Date or Limitless off the back of The Hangover Part II.




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Joshua Pasch: Edwin is right in that Ed Helms stands to gain the most and Ken Jeong the least. First of all, let's eliminate Jeong altogether - he's got his nook that he fills in these raunchy comedies and in any larger dose than that he'd become intolerable (I actually find him to be the weakest part of both Hangover films).

Ed Helms, on the other hand, hasn't broken out in other big screen roles - his Cedar Rapids never caught on - and with The Office's best days likely behind it, he stands to gain from the exposure and success of another Hangover film. He'll never be a traditional leading man or a wacky comedian like Galifanakis, but I sense some dramedy's in the vein of an Up In The Air might be on the way for him in the next year or two.

I also think its safe to say that Galifanakis and Cooper are both en route to A-list status already. Galifanakis has been one of the most sought after comedians in the business since the first Hangover, and there's no sign yet of that slowing down (though I'm sure he'll hit his Will Ferrell/Semi-Pro wall sooner or later).

Cooper has been a candidate for all leading man charmer/actioner type of roles since the first Hangover as well. He was extremely winning in the moderately successful Limitless and odds are his upwards trend will continue as he picks interesting roles (Paradise Lost? The Crow?). He's doesn't yet have the pull of a true A-lister yet, a theory supported by the flop of The A-Team, but he's certainly heading the right way. I'd say the epicness of Hangover Part II wont hurt that steady climb to A-list status.

Matthew Huntley: Aside from Ken Jeong, I hope that Cooper, Galifianakis and Helms all get a career boost from Hangover Part II's success, because as much as I didn't like at this movie, all three actors have proven their talents elsewhere - Cooper in the silly but entertaining Limitless; Galifianakis in the relatively likable and honest It's Kind of a Funny Story; and Helms in the under-seen but hilarious Cedar Rapids. I believe all three actors can break out of their Hangover roles and move onto bigger (and hopefully better) things. Jeong, on the other hand, hasn't shown he has talent outside his "small Asian with an attitude" role. If he ever chooses a part that goes against his usual type, we'd be able to better gauge his potential.


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