What blasphemy is this? A sequel to one of the Bard's greatest tragedies? If you find that ridiculous, then that's exactly the point.
Being released into theaters is the indie HAMLET 2. Steve Coogan (seen here at left) stars as a washed up actor doing his best to keep his dying drama department afloat by staging his self-written musical, "Hamlet 2". It even features Albert Einstein, Jesus Himself, and a time-machine so none of the main characters have to die! His former student productions were adaptations of award-winning films where you wouldn't expect to find high schoolers portraying the leads. His new script has certainly enraged the local community and they want to stop it before it starts.
The film itself has a very WAITING FOR GUFFMAN-esque quality in it's humor (the goofy drama guy assembling the local aspirants for a grand-scale show meant to turn around the whole works). It was directed with quirk by Andrew Fleming, who's most known filmwork includes THE CRAFT (teen witches), DICK (teens in Nixon's White House), and most recently NANCY DREW (teen sleuth). You know, I hate to give anything away about a film set at a high school, but there are teens in this film too.
Steve Coogan is a superstar over in Great Britain and has a loyal following here based on his most-favored roles (24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE, "I'm Alan Partridge"), but you may have also seen him in last year's huge hit NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM and he's got a small part in TROPIC THUNDER. He really throws himself into this film (literally, when rollerskating through town) and it's easy to have fun when he's onscreen, despite his sad-sack life crumbling around him. I liked when he tried to sway his new Latino students by mentioning DANGEROUS MINDS, that's just funny yo.
Elizabeth Shue is even found here portraying a role she was born to play... herself. Apparently, when we all weren't looking, she abandoned Hollywood and has taken up as a nurse in Tuscon, Arizona. Now you know!
Overall, the gags are hit and miss. I found the opening ten minutes funnier than the final ten with the production going on. I also didn't think a former alcoholic getting his drink spiked was a funny bit at all, and though it did make a paralell to LEAVING LAS VEGAS it was just sad. Still, it's a show worth seeing for Coogan alone as his fun in the role transcends through to the audience.
The film is a small independent with lesser-wattage stars, which means its release will be limited. You'll have heard about it here or from another trusted source, then it will disappear from theaters and reappear as a home rental. Unless it turns into a sleeper hit of some sort, this is the way these things happen with small films now. This film lives in the shadow of GUFFMAN (and I say wholeheartedly for you to see that if you have not), but HAMLET 2 is at least a rental.
Amy Poehler turns up in the second half to support the legal right to let the show go on; a show with a musical number sung by "Sexy Jesus". At least HAMLET 2 is getting a chance on the big stage when other productions don't get that far. The show will go on... to dvd.
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