Film: Hamlet2
Director: Andrew Flemming
Studio: Alliance Films
Principle Actors: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, David Arquette,
Elisabeth Shue.
Length of Feature: 92 minutes
Release Date: Friday, August 22, 2008.
Rating: R for language 

Reviewed By: Ashley Hunking (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada) 

Hamlet 2 is Be Kindand Rewind meets Dangerous Minds meets South Park. Don't expect to find any "To be or not to bespeeches" in Andrew Flemming's whimsical vision. Hamlet 2 deliberately offends...with the intent to inspire laughter.Flemming co-wrote the script with Pam Brady. Brady carries extensive experiencewriting for shows such as South Park. Given this background, it's no surprise thatthe R rating is for language. This rendering of Hamlet breaks every rule of politicalcorrectness, including racial slurs and sexually offensive language. Just asmuch as the film offends, it roars with humour!

Hamlet 2 mocks a long string of movies that portray‘troubled teens reformed by inspiring teachers.' Steve Coogan is hilarious inhis performance of Dana Marschz, a struggling actor turned drama teacher whoattempts to establish himself as a high-school theatre director, by ripping offpopular movies such as Erin Brockovich.Seeking approval from the deadpan faced theatre critic, a pre-pubescent boywith a lisp, Dana is inspired to create an original play. His masterpiece is arendering of the original Hamletminus the tragedy, plus a time traveling space ship, plus a special appearancefrom Jesus, plus a ‘Stars Wars-on-a-budget-epic-laser-swordfight. In the play, Coogan creates and composes a musical with an originalscore inspired from a herpes commercial he did when he was an aspiring actor. Hamlet2 satirizes the reverent hold the Bard's greatest play has held theatre goerscaptive to for centuries. 

Coogan delivers an exceptional performance. His comedic talent andcommitment is comparable to Jim Carrey in AceVentura. This movie wouldn't be possible without Coogan. Elizabeth Shue isabsolutely lovely as herself. She plays a version of herself that quits actingbecause she is sick of the industry and becomes a nurse (a sad but true fatefor many actors). Catherine Keener plays Coogen's wife who leaves him for theirroommate (David Arquette), a fitness freak who gets her pregnant. Keener'sperformance is somewhat reminiscent of Friendswith Money, as she plays Coogan's frustrated and fed up wife. Arquette'scharacter is a small role with very few lines, possibly a poke at the theme'sunderpinnings. Overall, Hamlet 2 is a highly entertaining comedy both sweet andvulgar; I only put emphasis on ‘vulgar' for audiences who have a tame sense ofhumour and who would never sully the Sweet Prince of Denmark.