Movie Review -- Hamlet 2
- By Aubrey Ward III
- Published 08/29/2008
- Reviews
-
Rating:
Aubrey Ward III
I'm not telling you what to see. I'm not telling you what not to see. I'm just sharing my experience and opinion on the movie, tv show or play that I have seen. I'm merely an advisor. Ultimately, you will have to go with your own gut and decide if you'll buy the ticket or not.
View all articles by Aubrey Ward III
“Hamlet 2” has all the ingredients needed for a comedy roast. If only the film had a steady flame to keep it hot. This uneven comedy revolves around struggling actor turned drama teacher, Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan). When the school district decides to cut the drama department to save money Dana searches for a way to keep his class open. He finds the solution from a school newspaper reporter who advises him to write an original production as a fundraiser. Thus, "Hamlet 2" is born.
I broke my own rule of keeping my hopes low for a coming attraction. That racy red trailer looked so amazing. When they touted that the writers behind “Team America: World Police” were behind it I was even more enthused. I spent all summer telling everyone how awesome it was gonna be and how eager I was to see it. Now, I’ve seen it and now I’m kind of bummed.
“Hamlet 2” isn’t a bad movie. The best word I can use to sum up the humor style is “dry.” I was amused at times but I was really expecting to be rolling in the aisles. The trailer had so much promise. It seemed like one of those cases where the funniest scenes were put in the preview while the rest of the material was mediocre. Though the movie isn’t the best comedy of the summer it still has some good things going for it.
Steve Coogan was entertaining and loveable as the overenthusiastic thespian just trying to share his love of acting with the world.
His drama class had some interesting characters including an uppity girl afraid of “ethnics”, a hard-knocked case who is more talented than he lets on, and a shy girl who has a head that seems to be attracted to blunt objects.
Indie darling Catherine Keener stars as Dana’s wife. I suppose she served her purpose in the story but it really felt like her character was underused. David Arquette is also along for the ride as The Marschz’s roommate. I'm assuming it was a dream role for him to play a character that has roughly four lines in the whole movie. While I was glad to see Elizabeth Shue on the big screen again I’m sorry to say her cameo wasn't all that spectacular. Leave it to Amy Poehler to save the blandness with her outrageous ACLU lawyer character “Cricket Feldstein.” Mrs. Feldstein uses her legal prowess and potty mouth to keep Dana’s show from being canceled.
Ah, and then there’s the show itself. The finale is the actual stage production of the Shakespeare sequel. Or to put it more accurately, parts of it. It would be sweet if the entire show was preserved for a DVD special feature. But anyway, the dramatic musical is worth the wait and probably the most impressive part of the movie. It’s almost like the most potent wit and satire materials were used for the Hamlet 2 show leaving the weaker leftover stuff for the Hamlet 2 movie.
This really is such a bittersweet review for me. I’m happy the movie is out and I liked the story. “Hamlet 2” is a charming yarn about a drama teacher trying to save his class and his dream. Though the comedy isn’t as funny as advertised the colorful cast of characters will at the very least keep you entertained.
www.hamlet2.com
I broke my own rule of keeping my hopes low for a coming attraction. That racy red trailer looked so amazing. When they touted that the writers behind “Team America: World Police” were behind it I was even more enthused. I spent all summer telling everyone how awesome it was gonna be and how eager I was to see it. Now, I’ve seen it and now I’m kind of bummed.
“Hamlet 2” isn’t a bad movie. The best word I can use to sum up the humor style is “dry.” I was amused at times but I was really expecting to be rolling in the aisles. The trailer had so much promise. It seemed like one of those cases where the funniest scenes were put in the preview while the rest of the material was mediocre. Though the movie isn’t the best comedy of the summer it still has some good things going for it.
Steve Coogan was entertaining and loveable as the overenthusiastic thespian just trying to share his love of acting with the world.
Indie darling Catherine Keener stars as Dana’s wife. I suppose she served her purpose in the story but it really felt like her character was underused. David Arquette is also along for the ride as The Marschz’s roommate. I'm assuming it was a dream role for him to play a character that has roughly four lines in the whole movie. While I was glad to see Elizabeth Shue on the big screen again I’m sorry to say her cameo wasn't all that spectacular. Leave it to Amy Poehler to save the blandness with her outrageous ACLU lawyer character “Cricket Feldstein.” Mrs. Feldstein uses her legal prowess and potty mouth to keep Dana’s show from being canceled.
Ah, and then there’s the show itself. The finale is the actual stage production of the Shakespeare sequel. Or to put it more accurately, parts of it. It would be sweet if the entire show was preserved for a DVD special feature. But anyway, the dramatic musical is worth the wait and probably the most impressive part of the movie. It’s almost like the most potent wit and satire materials were used for the Hamlet 2 show leaving the weaker leftover stuff for the Hamlet 2 movie.
This really is such a bittersweet review for me. I’m happy the movie is out and I liked the story. “Hamlet 2” is a charming yarn about a drama teacher trying to save his class and his dream. Though the comedy isn’t as funny as advertised the colorful cast of characters will at the very least keep you entertained.
www.hamlet2.com