Hamlet 2

Name: Hamlet 2
Genre: Comedy
Released: August 22, 2008
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 54
Cast: Catherine Keener, Elisabeth Shue, Steve Coogan

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 58 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 58 Ratings

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Hamlet 2

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Movie Details & Credits

Release Date: August 22, 2008 | R

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 targetedDana 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

Director: Andrew Fleming

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

Nathan Rabin

Funny excuses an awful lot, and at its best, Hamlet 2 is nothing short of hilarious. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The movie is an ideal showcase for the talents of Coogan. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Coogan's screen persona is vain, dim, angry, and deeply miserable, and his handful of scenes here with a smilingly harsh Catherine Keener are little masterpieces of comic sadomasochism. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Not infrequently the movie is as mediocre as its target. The great Steve Coogan movie has yet to be made. Read full review

J. Hoberman

Not nearly as uproarious as it should be. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

It's an unhinged, off-the-wall comedy that will try anything once, an uneven film in which the hits are so dead-on that the misses don't seem to matter. Read full review

Kyle Smith

The laughs begin with the excellent title Hamlet 2 - and they end there. Read full review

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User Reviews

readytoeat

Oct 4, 2019

takes an acquired and acutely sardonic sense of humor to appreciate. existentialism at it's most retarded. love this movie forever

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

OpenDog

Sep 25, 2010

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkS

Jan 2, 2009

Coogan gives a superb performance I did not expect (even though I had been told). The film is hilarious--much funnier than some better-reviewed comedies (e.g. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, or Pineapple Express). And it is far more clever than even its champions give it credit for. I'm Coogan gives a superb performance I did not expect (even though I had been told). The film is hilarious--much funnier than some better-reviewed comedies (e.g. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, or Pineapple Express). And it is far more clever than even its champions give it credit for. I'm amazed people fault the plot (a wonderful send-up of "inspirational teacher" films); no one who understands comedy should level such a criticism, anyway. Comedies exaggerate, take liberties, bizzare segues. While most run-of-the-mill comedies (see anything by an ex-SNL star) start strong and lose steam after a half hour when the plot kicks in, this film is filled with creative set-ups and delivers consistent laughs all the way through. What more can you want? Rock me, sexy Jesus!… Expand