SnoopyStyle Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) is a failed actor and recovering alcoholic who is teaching high school drama in Tucson. He's plagued by bad reviews by a little kid, his class is being canceled next semester, most of his students aren't interested in drama, and his wife Brie (Catherine Keener) is trying to get pregnant. He's desperate to revive his class so he decides to blow everyone away with an original play Hamlet 2, an inappropriate sequel to the Shakespeare play.Steve Coogan is hilariously pathetic and clueless. Elisabeth Shue does a funny cameo as herself. There are some really sadly pathetic funny moments. You just can't stop laughing at Steve. Everything is played up to its wacky craziness. Almost everybody is way over the top especially Steve Coogan. This is his movie all the way thru. Although Hamlet 2 actually need to be crazier.

ritera1 I have this belief that deep down, we're all living silly lives.And that is not more evident than with creative people. I myself and am an aspiring creative person. Am I any good? That's up for debate.In this we have a guy who has passion for his craft of acting. Passion that eclipses his obvious lack of talent and failings in life. There is a lovable tragedy to all of that, especially since there are so many talented people who can't get anywhere in life 'cause they are devoid of those business and political skills.It makes me think that the human race went totally wrong when they went from satisfying their basic urges and ventured into creativity and thought.But this is well done all around. I personally didn't like the happy ending but I'm sure I would be outvoted by everyone else. (I was looking for the end of Amadeus.) To me, this character was what he was. A lovable failure with a crappy play. Even the character knew that. He did his best and it wasn't good enough for rock 'n' roll. You can't ask for more than a personal best. But that's life, more than not.

Tim Kidner The idea is a fair one but this first Steve Coogan headlining Hollywood vehicle is almost mis-titled. It should be more like 'Dopey high-school drama teacher attempts to put on a school play', but that's not as snappy and certainly wouldn't have the literates and lovers of the Bard double-checking it.It's not actually THAT bad but as we know Coogan in his more successful and endearing characters, obviously we're going to compare. His accent is uncomfortably thick, if sounding authentic and he just comes across as that worse, embarrassingly nerdy teacher that we all used to love to hate. That was most probably the intention, though but that doesn't really help.Actually, his scenes with wife/partner Katherine Keener almost work best, with their fertility "problems". The kids in school are often not that believable, reacting differently to what's expected. There's almost a parody on films by the likes of Alan Parker, the ones where a mixed ethnic high school has its drama budget completely removed and then it's 'Let's put on a Musical!!'There's some funnier comedy when recovering alcoholic Dana Marschz (Coogan) falls off the wagon and goes amok. But his constant pratfalls get wearisome and when that extends to vocal ones, those are painful.Finally, the play goes ahead and this bit comes across quite well, with Coogan as Christ on a rope and this raises my score from 4 to 5/10, but I'm afraid I cannot extend to 6.Hamlet, whether 2 or 52, it never is. Take it as it actually is and it stands a better chance.

Bawoof First of all, I do think this is a funny idea, and I liked the parody of the "Teacher of the ghetto thugs" being parodied, and I certainly enjoy making fun of no-talent people who think they can put something great on, and it turns out to be unintentionally funny. So yes, this film is worth seeing.Regarding the "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" number. Okay, it is well done and potentially funny. Speaking as a practicing Unorthodox Catholic, I would like to offer something to the community of film makers: I know many of you enjoy being "cutting edge" by mocking Jesus Christ and those who worship Him (myself, for example). So in the spirit of giving and promoting that "cutting edge" vitality that you all want to provide: should any of you decide to make "Hamlet 3" "King Lear Returns" "Revenge of Macbeth" "Son Of Othello" or "Romeo & Juliet--Together Again" then I would like to provide you with some more cutting edge musical numbers.How about "Rock Me Sexy Mohammed" (See how well THAT goes over & show us how "edgy, hip and unafraid of controversy" you all truly are)! Or what about "Rock Me L. Ron Hubbard You Fabulous Fraud" (See if Hollywood is as open-minded about THAT one and how many stars will want to work with you in the future)! Maybe "Rock Me Horny Dr. Martin Luther King" ("He kicks racist ass and fights for your civil rights to plagiarize and cheat on your wives")! What about "Rock Me OBAMA" ("He'll close Gitmo but he won't...he'll end the wars but he don't...the Bush policies he'll rearrange but we simply call that 'Hope and Change'")! Do you like my ideas?:--) Yeah, that's what I thought. Why is it you people who talk about being "open-minded and progressive" don't feel the same way when YOUR values are being mocked? Is it because even the so-called "progressives" can be hypocrites too?