Review of Hamlet 2 (2008) by Ephraim H — 28 Jul 2009
A washed-up actor turned high school drama teacher makes a desperate attempt to salvage what's left of his hopes by writing and staging a sequel to Hamlet. His play turns into all kinds of controversy, charges of blasphemy, absurdity, and a group of students turning into some very unlikely "the show must go on" troupers.
It skewers its target well without the tears or sappiness of the movies and mentality on which it preys. There's a little slapstick humor but it is redeemed very well as the movie progresses. The language is a bit course, at times, but very tame compared to Tropic Thunder.
It does sag a little here and then. Amy Poehler brings nothing to the movie which surprised and disappointed me. She wasn't given much material to use.
Unlike Mamma Mia, the singing is very good and on-key and H2 has a plot. It's not the corn and silliness of MM. I still like the corniness of MM, but H2 has a real plot and doesn't depend on musical gags. H2 is a far better movie.
The message-board posters who didn't like the movie fell into one of two groups. Those who perceived H2 as ridiculing Christianity or those who just didn't get the point that it was satire and parody.
This review of Hamlet 2 (2008) was written by Ephraim H on 28 Jul 2009.
Hamlet 2 has generally received mixed reviews.
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