Hamlet 2 DVD Review
Hamlet 2 just might be the funniest musical I’ve seen in quite a while. Think equal parts For Your Consideration, Saved!, and yes, even a dash or two of the glorified High School Musical franchise. But like those films (well, all except High School Musical), Hamlet 2’s humor is not for everyone, especially as the film deals with some religious themes in an unconventional manner (the musical within the film itself features songs like “Rock Me Sexy Jesus,” so be forewarned).
My Rating: 
The film, which is directed and co-written by Andrew Fleming (The In-Laws, “Arrested development”) and co-writer Pam Brady (“South Park”, “Just Shoot Me”, “The Single Guy”, South Park-Bigger, Longer & Uncut), stars Steve Coogan (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”, Hot Fuzz, Happy Endings, Coffee and Cigarettes) Dana Marschz.
Marschz is a drama teacher/writer/failed (TV commercial actor) who ends up teaching drama at a small Tucson high school. Marschz is also having a rough year—his recent adaptation of a Hollywood hit for the high school small stage failed miserably; his wife, Brie (Catherine Keener of Friends With Money, The 40-Year-Old Virgin,
Being John Malcovich), berates him and yet is desperate for a baby; and because money is tight, the couple have even resorted to taking in a boarder, Gary (David Arquette of The Tripper, The Darwin Awards), to help make ends meet.
When several school programs are cut, Marschz winds up with a class full of Latino students who are only there because drama is the only elective available. He’s then informed that drama is being cut altogether after this semester, so Marschz decides to put on one last show to top all shows—an original work he penned called Hamlet 2. Marschz is endlessly optimistic, and his optimism rubs off on his class, who rally around him to help stage the best show of their lives.
Hamlet 2 also stars Amy Poehler (Mr. Woodcock, Blades of Glory, “Saturday Night Live”) as ACLU lawyer Cricket Feldstein; Elisabeth Shue (Gracie, Leaving Las Vegas, The Karate Kid) as a parody of herself (a washed up Hollywood actress who becomes a nurse); Skylar Astin as gay drama student Rand; Phoebe Strole as uppity drama student Epiphany; and Joseph Julian Soria as Octavia.
Fleming, who wrote Dick, The Craft and Threesome, as well as directed episodes of “Head Cases” and “The Loop”, two hilariously funny television/cable shows, does a deft job of bringing out the funny in Hamlet 2, while still managing to make the film sweet and a bit sad. In the end, the message of Hamlet 2 rings loud and clear: “It doesn’t how much talent you lack, as long as you have enthusiasm.” Hamlet 2, you had me at the opening credits.
Hamlet 2 is rated R “for language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content.” It’s really not for kids, nor for those easily offended by “religious” humor.
Hamlet 2 gets 3 stars out of 5 stars from me.