Film more tragic than humorous

by Tony Lewis

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 00:00

The last time Jesus rocked as hard as he does on the silver screen was 35 years ago in the film adaptation of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Unfortunately, a hilariously catchy music number featuring a cell phone-sporting Jesus is one of the few moments of perfection in the hit-or-miss “Hamlet 2.”

It is hard to imagine at first what convinced co-writer and director Andrew Fleming — whose previous film credit is the family-friendly “Nancy Drew” — to take on an R-rated comedy aside from the fact that he directed one “Arrested Development” episode. Combine that with writing partner, Pam Brady (“Hot Rod”), whose only quality material includes a few “South Park episodes, and it makes sense why “Hamlet 2” only shines for a pooled total of 30 minutes. In the end, this film would have made one hell of a Saturday Night Live skit, but, as a feature-length film, it just doesn’t have enough original spark to keep the movie going.

The film takes place in the dead-end town of Tucson, Ariz., where failed actor Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan, “Tropic Thunder”) teaches drama at a financially doomed high school. To keep the school running, the board unanimously decides to cut funding to a disastrous drama program that has failed to bring in any money over the years. In an attempt to save the arts, Dana writes an explosively controversial sequel to “Hamlet” to be performed as the program’s swan song.

After taking part in many failed comedies here in the United States, British native Coogan finally takes on a leading role that suits him. Whether he is wearing the pants of Albert Einstein, Jesus Christ or not wearing any pants at all — which surprisingly happens more often than you would think — Coogan takes the role of a quirky, bipolar drama teacher to riotous ends.

But not even a career performance by Coogan can make this film worth watching from start to finish.

The film does feature a well-performed supporting role from Catherine Keener (“Into the Wild”) as Dana’s drunken, unsupportive wife, and Elisabeth Shue (“Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story”) was fantastic playing herself, but neither actress was given enough material to really add much to the film’s humor.

On the other hand, David Arquette (“The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D”) was about as useful as a flat tire, and Amy Poehler (“Baby Mama”) was the same whiny, annoying character she always plays in her supporting roles.

Except for a good laugh every now and then, the first hour of the movie has very little going for it. It is not that it drags on by any means. It simply is not all that funny.

But the film actually kicks it into high gear as soon as the lights go out and the play begins. Whether its girls swooning over Jesus’ swimmer bod in “Rock Me Sexy Jesus” or Tucson’s Gay Men’s Choir singing a offensively rehashed version of Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” the musical’s flippant songs are so ludicrous and out there that they can only be described as comedic genius.

However, the songs are not the only thing driving this musical within a film. The writers did a superb job at creating an equally imaginative cast to belt out these numbers. A gay Laertes and a time-traveling Hamlet would be enough for Shakespeare to turn over in his grave, but, nonetheless, they help add to the musical’s vastly creative nature.

All in all, “Hamlet 2” is fairly insulting in the way it takes shots at numerous ethnicities and religions, but because so many are teased, it does not come off as showing favoritism to any particular lifestyle. Therefore, the film does not feel too stereotypical or racist, and the highlight of the film, the musical itself, gets away with being offensive but still a hilarious good time.

Unfortunately,  “Hamlet 2” in its entirety does not get off quite so easily — the opening acts do not come close to living up the ingenious brilliance of the final act. 

2 1/2 stars out of 5

Feedback

Anonymous (September 1, 2008 @ 9:20pm):

Love Arrested Development and love Steve Coogan, ever since he first stepped into Alan Partridge's tie-and-blazer-badge combination, and I will see this, but its sad it's not getting stellar reviews. Still, seems like it's not a terrible hour and a half's entertainment.

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