Hamlet 2

Release Date: August 22, 2008 (limited; wide: Aug. 29)
Studio: Focus Features (Universal)
Director: Andy Fleming
Screenwriter: Andy Fleming, Pam Brady
Starring: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Melonie Diaz
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R (for language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content)
Official Website: Hamlet2.com
Review: 8/10 rating
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: DVD
Movie Poster: One-Sheet | Teaser
Production Stills: View here

Plot Summary: "The hit, the very palpable hit" of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, "Hamlet 2" is an irreverent comedy centering on one teacher's overzealous quest to mount a high school musical. The film is directed by Andrew Fleming ("Dick," "Threesome") from an original screenplay he wrote with Pam Brady ("South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut," "Team America: World Police"); the stars are Steve Coogan ("Night at the Museum"), Catherine Keener ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin"), David Arquette (the "Scream" movies), Amy Poehler ("Saturday Night Live"), and Academy Award nominee Elisabeth Shue as herself.

Coogan portrays Dana Marschz; the last name is pronounced... oh, any attempt is close enough, really. Dana is a failed actor-turned-high school drama teacher. Shortchanged in the talent department, Dana still harbors ambitions and passions. At work, that is; his personal life, with his dissatisfied wife Brie (Keener) and their boarder Gary (Arquette), leaves much to be desired.

At Tucson, AZ's West Mesa High School, Dana sees himself as an inspirational teacher. But his adaptations of popular films, as performed by his top students Rand and Epiphany (Skylar Astin and Phoebe Strole, both stars of Broadway's "Spring Awakening"), are not resonating. When his latest – re-creating "Erin Brockovich" – is dismissed by the 9th grade drama critic and his department is targeted for closure, Dana must reach deep into himself for creativity.

After much perspiration, he conceives a sequel to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" – a musical-theater extravaganza that will disdain both political correctness and dramatic credibility. Rallying and rousing his class, Dana casts a wider net by recruiting transfer students like Ivonne (Melonie Diaz of "Be Kind Rewind") for key roles. With rehearsals underway, objections from school officials and the community are soon raised, but Dana will not be denied his freedom of artistic expression. After all, "to thine own self be true." Dana gets unexpected support from ACLU attorney Cricket Feldstein (Poehler) and his favorite actress, Elisabeth Shue. Above all else, he fervently believes that his opus must be staged, and nothing can break his optimistic spirit.

Trailer 1 (4.22.08):
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Exclusive Trailer 2 (8.2.08):
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Restricted Trailer (4.18.08):
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Clip 1 - 'Rock Me Sexy Jesus' (6.23.08):
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Clip 2 - 'Dana Shows Hamlet 2 Script to Brie' (6.23.08):
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Clip 3 - 'Dana Kicks Trash Can' (6.23.08):
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Clip 4 - 'Parents Try to Revoke Permission' (6.23.08):
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Clip 5 - 'Dana Meets Elisabeth Shue' (6.23.08):
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Clip 6 - 'Dana Meets Cricket Feldstein' (7.29.08):
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Exclusive Steve Coogan Video Interview (8.20.08):
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COMMENTS (26)

Posted by:

ScratStitch

March 5, 2008

This movie sounds like "The Producers" for some reason.

Posted by:

Bob

March 6, 2008

I think I agree.

Posted by:

Pondermanfortythousand

March 23, 2008

I think I don't know.

Posted by:

Chris

March 24, 2008

Sounds a bit like it, but hollywood has hardly any new ideas lately

Posted by:

Movie Man

April 18, 2008

I smell another bomb.

From the writers of "South Park" and "Team America" writing "Hamlet 2", somehow Shakespeare must be turning over in its grave.
(The Ghhost told me he hates "South Park" and that it should be off the air by now.)

Posted by:

Stormi

April 18, 2008

feels like Hollywood can't come up with anything better.

Posted by:

Charles

April 18, 2008

You people are idiots. Steve Coogan's fantastic in anything he does, along with Amy Poehler. And Movie man, Shakespeare turning over in HIS grave? Also, original ideas? C'mon, like Hollywood hasn't been adapting, taking, and re-doing everything since the very inception of film. Ease up snobs.

Posted by:

elswanno

April 19, 2008

Charles, are u implying Shakespeare was a woman? If so how did u come to this conclusion?

Posted by:

chewtoy

April 19, 2008

he said his cause movie man called shakespeare an it.

Posted by:

digger

April 19, 2008

I saw this movie at Sundance. It is great and really funny. Steve Coogan is hilarious. I can't wait to see it again.

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