 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hamlet 2
- Review Date: August 19, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
High school theater spoof lacks some spark.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this comedy is set in high school, it's not really a "teen comedy." In fact, it takes a no-holds-barred approach to poking fun at religion, theater, commercialism, racism, reproductive technologies, actors, the ACLU, and anything and everything else. One song is centered on a "rock star" version of Jesus, and there are plenty of jokes that some people may consider crude or vulgar. There are also scenes of underage drinking and drug use, a flash of a man's naked backside, and plenty of salty language.
What's the story?
You could say that David Marschz (Steve Coogan) is a failure. An actor who never landed more than the occasional gig for a home shopping network or herpes medicine ad, he's now a drama teacher in Tucson -- where his biggest nemesis is the fourth-grade drama critic who never likes any of his plays. (And why should he? They're stagings of Hollywood blockbusters like Erin Brockovich.) When school budget cuts spell the end of the drama program, Marschz decides to put on one final masterpiece: a sequel to Hamlet (featuring, naturally, a rock-star Jesus). Aiding him in his mission are two theater geeks -- judgmental Epiphany (Phoebe Strole) and closeted Rand (Skylar Astin) -- and their new classmates: Latino kids from what they assume are tougher neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Marschz's stoic brother (David Arquette) has just moved in with Marschz and his wife (Catherine Keener) -- who insists that now's the time to get pregnant.
Is it any good?
Loaded with ideas -- some amusing, some daring -- HAMLET 2 (which premiered at Sundance) is a cheeky comedy that doesn't quite hits its mark. On paper, it feels like it should be a walk in the park -- or, rather, South Park, on which one of Hamlet 2's co-writers worked. But although it pushes the envelope, humor-wise, it feels like a Christopher Guest movie without the spark. The ensemble fails to vibe on each other's wackiness, and their eccentricities feel contrived.
Which isn't to say that the movie doesn't have some entertaining moments. A cameo by Elisabeth Shue is especially satisfying, as is Amy Poehler's role, and the students are more than watchable. But for a film this out-there to really work, everyone has to feel committed to the insanity -- and, apart from Coogan, they just don't seem so. That said, when Marschz's musical finally gets its moment under the lights, it feels bizarrely, hilariously transcendent.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the message behind all the over-the-top humor: Why is Marschz compelled to stage one more play, and an original one at that? What's the message of the play? Also, what prejudices does the film make fun of? Does it do an effective job of making its point? What would you say that point is? What genres is the movie satirizing?
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AGE
Fairly tame movie. Yes there is profanity and some sexual content. It's also a bit offensive to christians. It's also pretty smart and funny!
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AGE
Intentionally offensive, but half-decent escape entertainment
While it has been noted that this film isn't as full of expletives as other R-rated movies, the expletives are not casual conversation or ordinary reactions to unpleasant situations. Every expletive seems to be deliberately said so as to offend the audience...some of this may be due to the poor acting. Also the sexual jokes (including the scene of Coogan flashing) seem to have that same deliberate provoking intent. Also Coogan's character is not a very good role model, as is shown for example when teens drink in his presence and he doesn't stop them.
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AGE
Perfect for kids 12 and up, Who like Edgy humor
this movie says its "Comedy Heaven, and "Dementedly Hilarious" Its right, this movie is very very funny, and dont be fooled into thinking that ts bashing religion its not, its kind of parodying Jesus Christ Superstar.It may carry an R rating, only because of the song, that was taken too seriously. This movie will make you laugh and if youre kids watch it they'll laugh and appeciate the film's main charachter Steve Coogan as he makes a bunch of underprivileged kids feel good. He is left by his wife and friend( which is a scene that actually affects you) he reches his dreams and gets the girl Elizabeth Shue. The movie is feel good and risky at times, but the ending musical number " Rock me Sexy Jesus" is not bad at all(aside from the title) and very catchy, adult will love this humor and kids (who can handle it will too.
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| Studio: | Focus Features |
| Director: | Andrew Fleming |
| Cast: | Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Steve Coogan |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 22, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | December 22, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content. |
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