Review of Hamlet 2 (2008) by Zane T — 21 Jul 2009

This movie both works and fails at the same time. It's strange because some scenes are great. Others are terrible. It follows the Arrested Development style of comedy in which five seconds cannot pass before someone trying to say something funny or do something funny.

Rather than letting the movie speak for itself, this movie has too many people falling down, getting hit, or worst slamming their fingers in doors. It's almost as if the filmmakers want our pity to laugh.

Aside from that, I did find certain scenes outrageously funny, just as the "Rock Me, Sexy Jesus" dance number and the idea of making Hamlet into a cliche feel good comedy. I also liked it that the drama class has to meet in the cafeteria, a slap in the face at public schools.

But David Arquette is virtually useless. Catherine Keener is used much. Amy Poehler is brought in as a last ditch effort for laughs as an ACLU lawyer. Steve Coogan is too much. It seems the filmmakers thought he should be loud and in charge and dominant every scene.

I think the casting of Elisabeth Shue is good. Other than that, this movie seems to develop into another unorthodox teacher inspires students story which it seems to be parodying.