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Hamlet 2, 2008

Hamlet 2

English, Spanish

USA

Rating:6.4
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Profile of Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2 can be described as witty, humorous, and biting. The plot revolves around teachers and students, high school life, and social misfits. Its comic aspect comes from irreverent humor. Hamlet 2's main genres are comedy and independent. In approach, it is not serious and realistic. It is set, at least in part, at a high school. Hamlet 2 is located in Arizona. It takes place in contemporary times. It is well suited for teens. Note that Hamlet 2 involves brief nudity, drugs/alcohol, and profanity.

Summary of Hamlet 2

Much like the inspired protagonists of his two favorite movies, DEAD POETS SOCIETY and MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS, high school drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) is going to save the arts. Marschz's first obstacle: Shakespeare killed off all the major characters when he wrote Hamlet, which puts a damper on his plans for a musical sequel. Luckily, Marschz has an ingenious literary device to circumvent that last doozy: a time machine built in woodshop that will catapult Hamlet and his new pal, Jesus Christ, into the present day and back again just in time to save Gertrude, Laertes, and the gang. This brilliant piece of theatre is born in the mind of Marschz upon the announcement of the drama club's impending cancellation, prompting the failed actor to take the advice of a ruthless freshman drama critic and finally write something that isn't an adaptation of ERIN BROCKOVICH. But when authorities try to have the production banned because of its offensive material, it's going to take the inspiration of actress-turned-local-nurse Elisabeth Shue (playing herself), the will of Marschz's young students, and the wiles of a feisty lawyer (Amy Poehler) to get Hamlet 2 in front of an audience.

HAMLET 2, the movie, is singular in its melding of grotesque theatre spoofing, schadenfreude, and complete subversion of the underdog-defiance genre's familiar trajectory. Rarely has a film hit conventional plot points only to take the wind out of their sails so effectively while nevertheless moving toward a destination not entirely unlike where its mainstream counterparts would go anyway. HAMLET 2's subdued lack of traditional filmic values and glaring music cues, as well as its performances, which manage to fold earnestness and deadpan into one another, amount to a movie that simultaneously deconstructs, skewers, and affirms. Like any good satire, it is what it's lampooning.

Details

Language: English, Spanish
Country: USA
Release date: 21 January 2008
Runtime: 92 min

Cast and Crew

Steve Coogan as Dana Marschz in Hamlet 2
Steve Coogan

as Dana Marschz

Catherine Keener as Brie Marschz in Hamlet 2
Catherine Keener

as Brie Marschz

Photos

Hamlet 2 (2008)
Hamlet 2 (2008)

Clips

Hamlet 2
Hamlet 2: Official Trailer
Hamlet 2
Hamlet 2: Parents try to revoke permission
Hamlet 2
Hamlet 2: Dana meets Cricket Feldstein
Hamlet 2
Hamlet 2: Dana meets Elisabeth Shue

Critics Reviews

San Francisco Chronicle
Like its low-key star, Hamlet 2 is more likely to elicit quiet chuckles than raucous laughter.
Rolling Stone
It's Coogan's breakthrough star performance that holds it all together. He's sensational.

Users Reviews

Not necessarily a recipe for general consumption. The main ingredient is spoofing inspirational teacher movies. Add a heap of pathos, mixed with generous portions of absurdity and blasphemy. Sprinkle with slapstick and just a hint of sweetness. It's...
This was a weird viewing experience. Me and my roommate watched it together and more than several times we looked at each other with a look that said, ��Am I supposed to be laughing at this?�� I knew that there were funnies happening on screen but...
Likely to see
Not for me

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