Hamlet 2 (2008) starring Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Skylar Astin, Phoebe Strole, Melonie Diaz, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Amy Poehler directed by Andrew Fleming Movie Review

Hamlet 2 (2008)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Steve Coogan in Hamlet 2 (2008)

Turning in His Grave

They say those who can't, teach. Well it seems that is the case for Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) who after failing as an actor becomes a drama teacher. But his annual school productions are just another thing he fails at as all he gets is bad reviews. But Dana finds himself heading up a new production with a class of no hopers which he has to find a way of inspiring somehow whilst dealing with a situation at home with his girlfriend and their lodger as well as the fact that at the end of the year the drama class is being terminated.

What I haven't mentioned in that synopsis for "Hamlet 2" is that Dana has watched a lot of inspirational teacher student movies. So what we get in "Hamlet 2" is basically a comedy take on just that with Dana inspiring a group of troublemaking kids to put on a good production, save his job and give them something to inspire to. Unfortunately it isn't very funny with more often than not the humour falling incredibly flat.

There is of course the small matter of the production which Dana wants to put on, a sequel to Hamlet where the Prince along with Jesus use a time machine to head to the future. Sounds offbeat and that is what "Hamlet 2" as a whole wants to be from Dana wearing a variety of out there outfits to getting around on skates. It also tries to be clever with Elisabeth Shue playing a version of herself as an actress who tired of the fame and so became a nurse. But so little off this definitely out there humour works and it makes "Hamlet 2" a real slog.

What this all boils down to is that "Hamlet 2" really didn't do it for me and whilst there are some amusing ideas it rarely made me laugh. Maybe those who love the strangeness of offbeat humour will love it but it is an acquired taste as is Steve Coogan's naked backside which appears in the movie.


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