Cooper: 'Hangover' sequel is more about the guys

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper says "The Hangover Part II" focuses more on the dynamic of the main characters than the first film in the franchise did.

Starring Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms, the 2009 blockbuster "The Hangover" was about a trio of guys trying to retrace their steps the morning after a disastrous bachelor party in Las Vegas during which groom-to-be Doug, played by Justin Bartha, goes missing.

In the sequel, Helms' character, Stu, is set to wed his fiancee [played by Jamie Chung] in Thailand. His friends go along to help him celebrate, and end up having a wild night in Bangkok, which also goes awry with the bride's brother [played by Mason Lee] disappearing this time.

"There was so much unfinished [in the first film,]" Cooper, who plays Phil in the movies, told reporters in Los Angeles before "The Hangover Part II" hit theaters last spring.

"You really didn't get to know the characters. The narrative, which was really this mystery, this ticking clock, took precedence in the first one," People magazine's current Sexiest Man Alive explained. "I think the difference … between that one and this one is this movie is more about the dynamic of the three guys and you really get to know them.

"For me, watching the first one, it can almost be boiled down to one joke. The whole movie is the setup and the punch-line is at the credits. When you get to the end of this movie, I'm excited to see the credits, but that's not what I've been thinking about the whole movie. I got very caught up with what happened to Stu and how they dealt with that dynamic and what Alan [played by Galifianakis] did. It's much more about that. I found it to be a much more pleasing movie as a viewer."

"The Hangover II" is on Blu-ray and DVD now.