HAMLET 2 (2008)

- [R] for language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content.

- Starring = Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Skylar Astin, Pheobe Strole, Melonie Diaz, Marshall Bell, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Amy Poehler

- Written by = Pam Brady & Andrew Fleming

- Directed by = Andrew Fleming

- Running Time = 1hr 31min

The advertisements are saying that this is from the makers of SOUTH PARK and TEAM AMERICA. Most people would think Trey Parker and Matt Stone, but no. It's the co-writer, Pam Brady who wrote this. It's directed by the guy who did last year's NANCY DREW. How come they didn't promote it that way? That might sound like I didn't like the movie, which isn't true. I just hate advertising.

Steve Coogan plays a failed actor turned High School theater director. He adapts movies into plays, like ERIN BROCKOVICH. They usually only star the two theater nuts in the school. But when there are no more electives left, all the bad kids sign up for it. Even though they are rebellious, Dana sees a raw intensity in them that inspires him to write an original play: HAMLET 2. It doesn't take long for all of the kids to get into it, but the school doesn't like the political incorrectness of the material so they ban him from performing at the school. With the help of the kids, they find a new location and put the play on, with lots of controversy.

The premise kind of sounds like an afterschool special, but the final product couldn't be further away from that. This is a "no holds barred" comedy that isn't afraid to be vulgar and offensive. The actual play itself as Hamlet traveling in a time machine meeting famous characters like Einstein and even Jesus, played by Dana himself. The songs are really funny like "Sexy Jesus". The movie has a great opening too, starting with fake commercials that Dana starred in before he was a teacher. One is an anti-herpies drug named Herpicol. He also was an extra in an episode of Xena. Hilarious! There is also lots of great movie references, that's always a plus for me. I love Dana talking about how he is thinking about making a play adaptation of THE LAKE HOUSE. What?

The script is all right, but the performances are what make this better than your average comedy. This is Steve Coogan's movie. He is 90% of why this movie works. If you've only seen him in supporting roles like NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM of TROPIC THUNDER, than you haven't seen what he's capable of. His line delivery of obscenities is uncanny. I love when you yells at the kids to get their attention: "You f***ing bastards!" He is also great at physical comedy. Watching him try to rollerskate was side-splittingly funny. Catherine Keener plays his wife and she is her usual bit--y self to good effect. There is a scene with her drunk at a bar licking the salt off of her margarita drink. It's silly. Elizabeth Shue plays herself. She has quit acting to become a nurse, but Dana wants her to come and speak to the class. The relationship between them is great. Love the tongue kiss and she is such a good sport. Amy Poehler plays a lawyer who wants to help Dana get the play done. She's says some funny things, but just seems like she doesn't have a clue as to what the movie's about. Her performance is a little distracting. David Arquette plays Dana's roommate. He just sits there while Catherine Keener verbally abuses him, looking dopey. His face expressions or lack there of cracked me up. Marchall Bell has some moments of hilarity as the principal as well. The 2 theater students played by Skylar Astin and Phoebe Strole seem to be having fun playing suck-ups. The rest of the kids pretty much blend together, which is too bad cause I think Melonie Diaz is quite talented.

Andrew Fleming's direction is pretty bland and straight forward. Not bad, just ordinary. The structure isn't very stable either with scenes shifting around with no real semblance. The movie runs out of gas in the middle as well, but once the play starts at the end it gets good again. There is one scene, when the play starts with the time machine glowing, and a member of the audience begins to scream. I don't know why that was so funny, but I'm laughing about it now as I write about it. You'll just have to see it. And the songs are really good, I hope the soundtrack comes out soon! The "gay song" at the end credits was my favorite: "Big gay Schlong". The movie does end on a pretty weak note, kind of like PICK OF DESTINY did, but it still doesn't ruin this otherwise pretty strong comedy.

Even though the film has a sloppy feel to it, Steve Coogan's brilliantly conceived comic performance is worth the price of admission.

3/4