Hamlet 2 (2008)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Andrew Fleming

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

27 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

One high school drama teacher is about to make a huge number 2

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:

Student | Actor | High School | Jesus | Alcoholic

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 | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44121) | UK:15 | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-11 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA | Singapore:M18 | Iceland:7

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Bona Fide Productions

Trivia:

Steve Coogan is also doing the narration.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Brie Marschz (Catherine Keener) and Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) are arguing in the Mexican restaurant in the middle of their argument, the margarita glass disappears when the camera cuts to Catherine and returns when the camera cuts back to Dana.

Quotes:

Dana Marschz: [in commercial] I'm having a herpes outbreak, right now -- but you'd never know it. Thanks, Herpocol!

Movie Connections:

References The Karate Kid (1984)

Soundtrack:

Raped In The Face

Delightful, understated, FUNNY comedy

Ah, how refreshing to find a comedy that isn't just gross-out gags, sentimental chick flick trash, or predictable Hollywood tripe... while Hamlet 2 isn't brilliant, and it isn't the funniest thing I've seen ever, it certainly carries its own, and this is largely in part due to Steve Coogan's performance.

Coogan is amazing as the fruity drama teacher who's life is falling apart. His shows are getting panned by a snarky underclassman, his marriage is falling apart, and he is totally uninspired. Through a series of events, he has an all-out crisis, but in a clever switch on the teacher inspires the students genre (Stand and Deliver, Higher Education), the students rally in their own way to help him create his masterpiece - Hamlet 2.

Hamlet 2 is ferociously politically incorrect, and this leads to the principal and some members of the community to try to close down the show, the ACLU (Amy Poehler!) gets involved, and the final performance of the show is a little bit mind blowing... ah, Sexy Jesus.

Yes, this is stuff we've all seen before, but Coogan's performance and his supporting cast, along with solid writing make this a Hollywood comedy that is actually funny.

Since it doesn't have any big stars, and it is a bit atypical, Hamlet 2 will probably fall by the wayside, but don't miss it if you've got the chance - there is hope for comedy yet!