Hamlet 2 (2008)

Director:

Andrew Fleming

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

27 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | High School

Cast

Evan Adrian	...	Danny the waiter
Natalie Amenula	...	Yolanda
David Arquette	...	Gary
Skylar Astin	...	Rand Posin
Marshall Bell	...	Mr. Rocker
Josh Berry	...	Mr. Mann
Sian Bird	...	Drama Student
Frank Bond	...	Ron Kantor
Deborah Chavez	...	Mrs. Marquez
Steve Coogan	...	Dana Marschz
Steve Corona	...	Horace
Jessica Daniels	...	Drama Student
Melonie Diaz	...	Ivonne
Stephen Eiland	...	Scary Gang Banger
Michael Esparza	...	Chuy
Nat Faxon	...	Copy Store Clerk
Jenny Gabrielle	...	Prayer Girl
Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr.	...	Gang Banger
Will Gluck	...	Angry Man
Johnnie Hector	...	Police Officer 2
Catherine Keener
Jonathan Lund	...	Jock
Joey Montoya	...	Drama student
Arnie Pantoja	...	Vitamin J
Amy Poehler
Hannah Rodananta	...	Drama Student
Gabe Romero	...	Drama Student
Tom Romero	...	Mad Man
Tomas Sanchez	...	Angry parent
Arron Shiver	...	Virgil
Elisabeth Shue	...	Elisabeth Shue
Joseph Julian Soria	...	Octavio
Cynthia Straus	...	Hysterical Woman
Phoebe Strole	...	Epiphany Sellars
Foued Zayani	...	Theater Spectator

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

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!