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

Walk In Late...Very Late

The theatres should charge only a quarter of the price for this movie. Only the last half hour was entertaining.

It fails at engaging the audience with any of the characters. One moment, students are "thugs", the next scene they're rehearsing lines. No buildup.

The comedic timing is off as well. A gag is drawn on after it should have been over a few lines back. Steve Coogan's character is unbearably dry and, again, is not engaging whatsoever.

Catherine Keener is warm as she is in other films. However, her role along with David Arquette's are absolutely useless in this film.

On a lighter note, the play (when they finally get to it) is very entertaining. Rock Me Sexy Jesus is ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS and catchy. The other songs are very fun too. It was well thought out and played. Sad to say, it wasn't enough.

It seems to me that the writers had this great idea for a whimsical play. However, the play itself would never fly with the production company. So they decided to write this horrendous storyline and package this great play with it. Unfortunately, the drabness of said packaging leaves one frustrated with the lack of Hamlet 2 in Hamlet 2.