Hamlet 2

2008

Hamlet 2

Critics Consensus

The script's biting premise and Steve Coogan's endearing, off-the-handle performance make Hamlet 2 an hysterical -- if slightly painful -- ride.

62%

TOMATOMETER

Reviews Counted: 143

55%
liked it

Audience Score

User Ratings: 17,671

TOMATOMETER

N/A
All Critics | Top Critics
Average Rating: N/A
Reviews Count: 0
Fresh: 0
Rotten: 0

AUDIENCE SCORE

55%
Average Rating: 3.2/5

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Movie Info

Steve Coogan stars in the comedy Hamlet 2, which follows a drama teacher who tries to put together a production of "Hamlet 2" to rescue his high-school theater department. Catherine Keener co-stars in the Andrew Fleming-helmed production.
  • Rating:
    R (for language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Andrew Fleming
  • Written By:
    Andrew Fleming, Pam Brady
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $4,784,111
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Focus Features

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Cast

Steve Coogan
as Dana Marschz
Catherine Keener
as Brie Marschz
Amy Poehler
as Cricket Feldstein
David Arquette
as Gary
Elisabeth Shue
as Herself
Marshall Bell
as Mr. Rocker
Melonie Diaz
as Ivonne
Joseph Julian Soria
as Octavio
Skylar Astin
as Rand Posin
Phoebe Strole
as Epiphany Sellars
Michael Esparza
as Chuy
Arnie Pantoja
as Vitamin J
Natalie Amenula
as Yolanda
Shea Pepe
as Noah Sapperstein
Nat Faxon
as Copy Store Clerk
Frank Bond
as Ron Kantor
Marco Rodriguez
as Mr. Marquez
Deborah Chavez
as Mrs. Marquez
Kevin Wiggins
as Policeman #1
Johnnie Hector
as Policeman #2
Steve Corona
as Horace
Aaron Shriver
as Virgil
Josh Berry
as Mr. Mann
Margarita Wilder
as Julia de la Huerta
Evan Adrian
as Danny the Waiter
J.D. Garfield
as Man With Envelope
Mary Sue Evans
as Parent #1
Tomas Sanchez
as Parent #2
Mike Hatfield
as Man In Truck
John Hardman
as Old Dude
Stephen Eiland
as Scary Gang Banger
Cynthia Strauss
as Hysterical Woman
Will Gluck
as Man at Play #1
Tom Romero
as Man at Play #2
Jenny Gabrielle
as Prayer Girl
Todd Anderson
as Redneck Parent
Daniel Quinines
as Giggles
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Critic Reviews for Hamlet 2

All Critics (143) | Top Critics (40)

View All Critic Reviews (143)

Audience Reviews for Hamlet 2

Pretty stupid, but okay for something light. Few laughs among the bad taste.

Nicki Marie
Nicki Marie

Super Reviewer

I went into this not expecting much... I was delightfully wrong. This film is outrageous enought to be funny and not too crude to be overly offensive. Steve Coogan plays a great part that I enjoyed. The wimp teacher turned bool guy. The young actors in this are really good as well.

Joshua Wilburn
Joshua Wilburn

Super Reviewer

A failed-actor-turned-drama-teacher attempts to save his high school's drama program by putting on an original work called Hamlet 2. This film is goofy as shit. There's no other way to describe Steve Coogan's performance or the premise as a whole. The film constantly puts Coogan's character up for ridicule, and Coogan commits wholeheartedly to each wacky moment. And who would've thought that David Arquette could play the "strong" silent type? I've often wondered if a film about a character who has lost himself in movies would work, and in Hamlet 2 it does only to the extent of screwball comedy. There is little in the way of dramatic tension, and I think your enjoyment of the film depends on your tolerance for goofiness. If nothing else, it's impossible to resist playing the sing-along version of "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" one more time.

Jim Hunter
Jim Hunter

Super Reviewer

I love Steve Coogan, but he can't carry this film. His performance is all over the place, and though he might hit the right notes for each scene, his character is wildly inconsistent. I love Catherine Keener, but I'm really tired of her playing the same, mailed-in, unhappily married/divorced person every time out (40-Year-Old Virgin; Synecdoche, New York; Cyrus, etc.). And I don't hate awkward humour. When done right, as it occasionally is in Hamlet 2, I actually find it quite funny. So - what the hell happened? This film is clunky and difficult and very hard to watch, painfully unfunny in places, but producing just enough laughs that you can't turn it off. Or maybe you can. Part of me would say, actually, that you should. I had to take a break and return for the ending a day later, and really, it wasn't worth finishing. The last line was interesting, though, given when I watched it (Jan 10-17, 2010): "No matter where you, it's always going to be better than Tuscon." I blame Sarah Palin. Yuk yuk yuk. From the co-writer of South Park and Team America. NOTE: Not Matt Stone. Not Trey Parker. Pam Brady. Who? Exactly. Flashes of hope in this film, but ultimately, a huge letdown. I was pulling for a cult classic but this one just didn't deliver. PS: David Arquette? Really? The eventual reason for his "just standing there" performance is evident from the beginning. Easiest. Paycheque. Ever.

Daniel Perry
Daniel Perry

Super Reviewer

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