By Lisa DiCarlucci
It’s a little ridiculous, a little far-fetched and a little awkward. But it’s those very qualities that make “Hamlet 2” funny and even a little bit charming. It’s the story of an obsessive and overly passionate drama teacher, Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan), who writes an original show in a desperate attempt to save a high school drama program. His noble, though sometimes pathetic, quest, mixed with quirky comedy similar to the likes of “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” makes this movie an altogether entertaining experience.
While the film as a whole is fun to watch, the beginning tends to move slowly. The first part entails the demise of an already sad excuse for a drama club which consists of two painfully dorky theater kids: a na’ve and politically incorrect girl and an overtly homosexual (though he himself is unaware of his behavior) young man. When school funding gets cut, most elective classes are removed from the curriculum with the exception of drama. This results in a large group of seemingly irresponsible and uninterested students to sign up for the class. Despite their blatant rudeness, Marschz is determined to make these students into actors.
At this point in the movie, the audience begins to wonder where the ridiculous humor is. Marschz awkwardly roller skates to work, and there are several funny altercations between the theater kids and the new students, but beside those instances, the plot doesn’t seem to live up to the previews-until a little further into the movie.
When the school board threatens to cut the drama program, Marschz decides that it’s time he wrote his own show and “Hamlet 2” is born. The show itself is offensive, overtly sexual and generally obscene. Not to mention the fact that it’s a sequel to a play in which all the characters die at the end. Never fear though, the drama class doesn’t let any of this stand in their way. They set up at an off campus location and in an act of rebellion and extreme creative expression, put on the show anyway.
The fact of the matter is that, no matter how boring the beginning of the movie may seem, watching the performance of “Hamlet 2” is worth the price of your movie ticket. Hamlet, Jesus and a time machine are the stars of the show and songs like the “Grease” inspired “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus,” will have audiences laughing hysterically.
“Hamlet 2” is a strange marriage between inspirational and offensively hysterical. It seems to be a successful combination that will at least leave viewers feeling happy in the end. In this film young adults come of age, learn to leave preconceived notions at the door and find a creative outlet. At the same time, the film’s particular brand of comedy satisfies a more obscene and comedic loving audience.
Fun for the whole family, it’s not. Though for a group of friends looking for a mildly offensive laugh, it most certainly is.