IT certainly is one helluva hangover but does it make for a helluva film? (and why am I talking like a presenter for Masterchef, reviewing doesn't - get - tougher - than this).

Bearing in mind its plot is founded on the same concept of male bonding through bad behaviour first set by National Lampoon's Animal House way back in 1978, The Hangover has received amazingly good reviews.

It's strongest suit is Road Trip director Todd Phillips' decision not to reveal at the time what happens in Las Vegas on the groom's final weekend of freedom before his wedding.
As a result, when mild-mannered school teacher (played by Bradley Cooper), and his three friends, (Ed Helms, Justin Bartha and Zach Galifianaki), awake to a scene of utter carnage inside their luxury suite at Caesars Palace, the audience is as much in the dark as they are.

As the scale of the trouble they're in unfolds bit by bit, The Hangover does have funny moments but it's more a series of crazy predicaments rather than a sharp comedy.

Which means it isn't actually up to the standard of the classics of vulgar Americana of the past 30 years, silly on the surface but deeply satirical below it all - There's Something About Mary, Anchorman, Blues Brothers and, of course, Animal House. But neither is it as crass and crude as, say Batchelor Party or Porkys.

Thanks to strong characterisation, especially from Galifianakis as the mad, bearded brother-in-law, a performance whose unsettling instability rivals the late John Belushi's performance as Bluto, this is one hangover you will certainly enjoy.


Showing from today, Friday, July 3

Harrogate Odeon


NEW
Public Enemies (15)
(2h 45m)
wheelchair access, audio description, subtitled shows Sun & Tue 15:00.
Fri-Thu: 13:45, 17:00, 20:15.
Heat/Miami Vice director Michael Mann's hot new crime drama pitches 1930s gangster John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) against Christian Bale and the FBI.

Directors Chair
Two Lovers (15)
(2h 5m)
wheelchair access
Tue: 20:25.
Romantic costume drama starring a reportedly impressive Joaquin Phoenix as a troubled young man who returns to his New York home and begins to fall for two different women played by Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw.

Senior Screen
The Young Victoria (PG)
(1h 55m)
wheelchair access
Tue only:10:30.
Emily Blunt plays the lead in this costume drama about the early years of Queen Victoria's reign with her beloved Albert. Also starring Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Paul Bettany and Mark Strong.

3D
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D (U)
(1h 59m)
Fri, Mon-Thu: 15:15, 17:45, 20:20. Sat-Sun: 12:45, 15:15, 17:45, 20:20.

The Hangover (15)
(2h 5m)
wheelchair access
Fri-Thu: 13:25, 15:55, 18:20, 20:45.
See review.

My Sister's Keeper (12a)
(2h 14m)
wheelchair access
Fri, Mon & Wed-Thu: 14:40, 17:15, 20:25. Sat-Sun: 12:05, 14:40, 17:15 20:25. Tue: 14:40, 17:15.

Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen (12a)
(2h 55m)
Fri-Thu: 13:30, 16:45, 20:00.

Night at the Museum 2 (PG)
(2h 0m)
wheelchair access
Sat-Sun: 11:00.

ODEON KIDS
City of Ember (PG)
(1h50m)
wheelchair access
Sat-Sun:11:00.
Spectacular children's sci-fi, fantasy film based on a bestselling novel starring Atonement's Saoirse Ronan plus Bill Murray and Mackenzie Crook.



NEWBIES
Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen (12a)
(2h 40m)
Tue:10:35.

NEWBIES
My Sister's Keeper (12a)
(1h 59m)
wheelchair access
Tue: 10:45.



Wetherby Film Theatre

The Hangover (15)
(1h 39m)
Showing daily at 19:30.
See review.


The Ritz Cinema, Thirsk

Angels & Demons (12a)
(2h 18m)
Showing daily at 19:30 plus matinee at 14:30 Wed only.
The sequel to hit movie The Da Vinci Code stars Tom Hanks once again as religious expert Robert Langdon who discovers the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood inside The Vatican. Also starring Ewan McGregor.