Hamlet 2
  • Release Date: Aug 22, 2008
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Metascore
54 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

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  • Starring: Catherine Keener, Elisabeth Shue, Steve Coogan
  • Summary: Dana Marschz--the last name is pronounced...oh, any attempt is close enough, really--is a failed actor-turned-high school drama teacher. Shortchanged in the talent department, Dana still harbors ambitions and passions. At Tucson, AZ's West Mesa High School, Dana sees himself as an inspirational teacher, but when his department is targeted for closure, Dana must reach deep into himself for creativity. After much perspiration, he conceives a sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet - a musical-theater extravaganza that will disdain both political correctness and dramatic credibility. With rehearsals underway, objections from school officials and the community are soon raised, but Dana will not be denied his freedom of artistic expression. After all, "to thine own self be true." Dana gets unexpected support from ACLU attorney Cricket Feldstein and his favorite actress, Elisabeth Shue. Above all else, he fervently believes that his opus must be staged, and nothing can break his optimistic spirit. (Focus Features)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    83
    As a movie, Hamlet 2 is lively, energetically daft, and very, very scrappy -- a broader, more loony-tunes knockoff of "Waiting for Guffman."
  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    75
    It's Coogan's breakthrough star performance that holds it all together. He's sensational.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Duane Byrge
    60
    Attaining somewhat of a bad parody of a comedy, screenwriters Andrew Fleming and Pam Brady have slapped together a string of gags in a hit-and-miss dither. Some of it is quite brainy.
  4. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Connie Ogle
    25
    Much like the play within it, Hamlet 2 is lousy. The main difference is that the play is SUPPOSED to be awful. The movie about the play is supposed to be funny.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. OpenDog
    10
    Beats hand down most of the hyped independent comedies! Very intelligent, very funny! A real gem! The negative reviews are probably from the Friedberg-Seltzer crowd. Go figure.… Expand
  2. EricaM.
    8
    I loved the complete dedication of Steve Coogan to this role. He is so unabashadly pathetic and hopeful. Reminded me a little of Fellini';s Nights of Cabiria - vis a vis the main character. I also loved the actual performance and the supporting cast of teenagers. The only reason it's not a 10 for me is that the wife / roommate subplot seemed a little weak, as did the casting for those characters... more for name value than true fit. Anyways. I completely recommend.… Expand
  3. CraigA.
    7
    Unfairly reviewed, this original attack on both the censorship and the creative freedom lobby showcases the stupidity of both. Steve Coogan's talentless but well-meaning drama teacher is cringeingly pathetic, yet strangely lovable.… Expand
  4. NateH.
    4
    I went in sort of expecting a good lampoon of sorts, I mean it has the words "South Park" and "Team America" right on the poster, instead I got a very cliched, by the numbers type of comedy. There were a few good laughs but they only made you realize how mediocre the rest of it was. I'll give credit where it's due, the play was pretty good, just not as hard hitting as I hoped.… Expand

See all 17 User Reviews

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