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