Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageHamlet 2 (2008)
Director: Andrew Fleming
Movie review
From Time Out Online
Steve Coogan’s on-off struggle to conquer the American market gathers pace with this likeable if sporadic slice of high school subversion. He plays Dana Marschz, an unpaid drama teacher hoping to inspire his multiracial class and exorcise his own daddy issues by penning an extravagant time travelling musical follow-up to Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy. The first hour of ‘Hamlet 2’ works, fitfully. Coogan’s accent wavers, most of the characters remain frustratingly underdeveloped, and the plot proceeds along largely predictable lines. But it all comes together in the final act. The play’s debut performance, and the mayhem that surrounds it, is flawlessly handled. Co-author Pam Brady has been a writer on South Park for the past decade, and has learned her lessons well: make ‘em laugh, make ‘em cry, but most importantly offend as many of ‘em as possible.Author: Tom Huddleston
Time Out Online
Cast & crew
Director: Andrew Fleming
Cast: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Melonie Diaz, Joseph Julian Soria, Skylar Astin, Phoebe Strole, Amy Poehler, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue full cast
Duration: 92 mins
US Release: Aug 22 2008
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now