Hamlet 2 (2008)

Director:

Andrew Fleming

Writers (WGA):

Pam Brady (written by) &
Andrew Fleming (written by)

Release Date:

22 August 2008 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

In this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet. |

Plot Keywords:

High School | Teacher | Anti Christianity

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Steve Coogan	...	Dana Marschz
Catherine Keener	...	Brie Marschz
Joseph Julian Soria	...	Octavio
Skylar Astin	...	Rand Posin
Phoebe Strole	...	Epiphany Sellars
Melonie Diaz	...	Ivonne
Arnie Pantoja	...	Vitamin J
Michael Esparza	...	Chuy
Natalie Amenula	...	Yolanda
Marshall Bell	...	Principal Rocker
David Arquette	...	Gary
Elisabeth Shue	...	Elisabeth Shue
Amy Poehler	...	Cricket Feldstein
Shea Pepe	...	Noah Sapperstein
Marco Rodríguez	...	Mr. Marquez

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Bona Fide Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: Dana refers to "Heywood" as Octavio in an acting class before it is revealed by Octavio's parents (to Dana) that Octavio, and not "Heywood Jablowme" is his name.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

only a little more (sometimes a lot more) than South Park-lite thanks to Steve Coogan

Hamlet 2 is sophomoric, satirical, stupid, trying to be smart while being stupid, and anchored by another winning go-for-broke comic turn from Steve Coogan. It's hard for me to see him doing much wrong, be it the segment with Alfred Molina in Coffee and Cigarettes, 24 Hour Party People or, most of all, Tristram Shandy. It's the biggest credit of all that he is even able to make this film directed and co-written by Andrew Fleming as watchable and occasionally clever as it is. He tries, Lord, oh how he tries to rise up this character into something really memorable, and it is. Though not too ironically while he gave the more prominent and funnier performances in Hamlet 2 his supporting turn in this month's Tropic Thunder was another reminder how brilliantly stupid that was compared to this.

Perhaps it's also a difference in talent- instead of Robert Downey Jr giving the bravura comic performance of his career we get Amy Pohler in a hysterical and unsatisfying bit as an ACLU attorney and Elisabeth Shue as, well, Elisabeth Shue- but there's also a factor in the script that separates one as a modern classic and the other as more of a minor work (if more raunchy and intentionally un-PC). It's about a down on his luck actor played by Coogan who's married to a drunk wife (Catherine Keener) who scoffs at him any chance she can and after striking out in commercial gigs now teaches pro-bono as a drama teacher at a high school. He's about to get thrown off that gig too (unlike Max Fischer in Rushmore he can't seem to get luck putting theatrical adaptations of screen classics like Erin Brockovich) due to budget cuts, but suddenly gets inspiration: he writes Hamlet 2, a crude musical about a time machine, a rock 'n' roll Jesus, and face-rape.

It's in part a parody of all those goody-too-shoes feel-good movies of inspiration with the teacher leading the rag-tag group of kids into something worth their while (Dead Poets Society is mentioned more than once in this regard), and as a lighter and more raw satire on celebrity and the craft of acting. Sadly, however, it's a slightly hit or miss affair; sometimes I'm laughing a whole lot as some of the scenes and set-pieces, other times I'm rolling my eyes or lightly groaning at the obvious moments even as I know they're taken as a goof on other movies.

The script was co-written by South Park writer Pam Brady, and it's worth noting that a lot of the humor is akin to that Parker/Stone creation (there's even a character slightly akin to a Kenny, a mute girl who gets knocked about every other scene till towards the end when she SPEAKS UP in caps), only it lacks that really stinging wit and almost arrogance in going to the limits to offend with hilariousness. The closest she and Fleming come to this delirious attention to detail is with the actual musical as the climax, with everything from a Grease send up ("Rock Me, Sex Me, Jesus" is my favorite) to Elton John is used, and even then there's an inter-cutting scheme to the big brew-haha outside with protesters and firefighters and Amy Pohler screaming about who knows what.

And at the center of it all is Coogan, who delivers on little things like singing poetical on a keyboard to Flashdance songs and is funny just skating on his roller skates everywhere because he doesn't have a car; and don't get him started if he's got acid or grain alcohol in his system. It's a swell showcase for his talents, and maybe shows some promise with the high school kids, but it's also kind of a slight work. I wouldn't say it's a very good movie, but if you must rock your sexy Jesus on, or find Coogan the funniest thing around, then it's a good pit-stop for the moment. 6.5/10