Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler

In this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama teacher (Coogan) rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespea...( read more  read more... )re's Hamlet.

Flixster Users

56% liked it

12,359 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

130 critics

R, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Andrew Fleming

Release Date: August 22, 2008

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DVD Release Date: December 21, 2008

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Stats: 2,964 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,964)


  • November 15, 2009
    The funny script and on form Coogan raise this above average. He just about keeps the character watchable and the supporting cast are all game. A lot better than it looks from the trailer.
  • October 14, 2009
    Some really funny moments here but other than the random absurdities the screenplay is empty.
  • August 24, 2009
    It had its cheesy moments, but it was really funny for the most part. The performance at the end was awesome.
  • July 21, 2009
    I was laughing so hard!
  • April 24, 2009
    The very funny Steve Coogan does a fine job in a fairly silly role as a struggling drama teacher who attemps to stage a sequel to Hamlet. While it can't help but draw comparisons to the likes of 'Mr Hollands Opus' and 'Dangerous Minds', the charisma of Coogan make such comparison...( read more)s a minor issue. The 'Americanisation' of Coogans character causes the comedy value to suffer a bit, but I defy you to see this and not be singing 'Rock me sexy Jesus' in your head the next day.
  • November 21, 2009
    An amusing little movie, the musical part at the end is very entertaining though. The rest of it isn't that good though.
  • November 18, 2009
    A really funny and original movie that isn't afraid to take serious issues lightly. Steve Coogan does a great job of taking the reigns of a lead roleA really neat thing in it was that it touches on the fact that theater programs in school are horrible.
  • November 2, 2009
    If I fell asleep through the first one then I will not watch the second one cause I will probably fall asleep throgh it.
  • October 31, 2009
    as hamlet would say,(and did say ) though this must be madness,yet there is method in it,along with lots of laughs! its lively,energetic and completely crazy but i laughed lots!
  • October 27, 2009
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Critic Reviews


September 3, 2008
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

The lowbrow humor in Hamlet 2 works consistently well, but much more intelligent jokes are launched from the wry lips of Catherine Keener. full review

August 22, 2008
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

No matter how many jokes you pack around it, arrested development doesn't make for a very compelling dramatic arc. full review

August 22, 2008
Kyle Smith, New York Post

I am not fond of listening to characters scream unfunny lines meant to send up the blandness of everyday people. full review

August 22, 2008
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Fleming saves most of his energy for the blowout final production numbers, which play like demented outtakes from High School Musical. full review

August 22, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is an ideal showcase for the talents of Coogan. full review

August 22, 2008
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

The more self-righteous it gets -- the more pious it is about offending people -- the less it works as a theatrical parody. full review

August 21, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Its sharply funny moments make its lack of consistency all the more evident. The movie ends up feeling like a collection of moments, rather than a coherent quirky comedy. full review

August 21, 2008
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's Coogan's breakthrough star performance that holds it all together. He's sensational. full review

August 20, 2008
Armond White, The New York Press

Not caustic nor sentimental, Hamlet 2's sharp, wily social lampoon gets funnier as it goes along; expanding its focus outside the high school sphere to comment on the probability of luck, failure, hop... full review

August 18, 2008
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Coogan's mopiness is oddly riveting. full review

View more Hamlet 2 reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • mrbicklethepickle
    August 23, 2008
    intriguing and yet I feel as though I may go to hell if I watch this..
  • hippiesrkewl
    June 20, 2008
    I saw the trailer and I think this movie is going to rock. I can't wait for the movie to come out and I don't think it's going to be a disappointment!
  • RobertBurtonTaylor
    June 18, 2008
    Saw the trailer and was shocked at what I saw. I read so many good things about this movie and in reality it looks like a average comedy trying really hard to be quirky and smart but even with only a two minute trailer I could see where they were going wasn't quirky or smart, it is simply lame.

    Although I will admit it is a cool concept.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Hamlet 2 Trivia


  • In Grease 2, Stephanie doesn't do very well on one of her English papers. What was the topic?  Answer »
  • In Hamlet 2, two students are played by actors from what Tony award winning Broadway musical?  Answer »
  • In "Renaissance Man", what Shakespearean play does Rago and his class study (1) and which one do they go see (2)?  Answer »
  • Hamlet 2 is a direct sequel to the Shakespeare play Hamlet.  Answer »

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