Iffy for 15+
High school theater spoof lacks some spark.
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.
- 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?
The good stuff
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Messages: A teacher swears in front of his students and accidentally hurts one of them; they clearly show no respect for him (they call him "moron," among other things). His wife belittles him, too. But he doesn't give up hope. In fact, in his own blissfully ignorant way, he manages to inspire and free his inner artist. The movie mercilessly mocks everything from the theater crowd to religion. Infidelity is treated humorously.
What to watch for
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Violence: A man contemplates suicide; some brawls erupt; a girl keeps falling and getting hit by objects.
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Sex: Conversations about the mechanics of getting pregnant, some kissing, lewd jokes. A man's naked backside is flashed -- he has writer's block and takes off his pants to get inspiration -- and there are allusions to his "balls" being flashed.
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Language: Language includes plenty of salty words, including "s--t" and "f--k." Not as frequent as some other R-rated movies, though.
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Consumerism: Mentions of various Hollywood movies (Erin Brockovich, The Karate Kid, etc.); actress Elisabeth Shue is revered. And of course, Hamlet is referenced often. Also, Jack LaLanne products and fake commercials for herpes medications.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Teens drink while out with their teacher; they later spike his non-alcoholic beverage with LSD or another psychedelic; his wife drinks a gigantic margarita.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Offensive, uncomfortable, and great! It rocks ME! by Texafan
This is better than 95% of the cookie cutter romatic comedies, coming-of-age, and saving-the-children flicks made. Realistic? No, but everyone knows a teacher or co-worker who is so unconsciously incompetent that it is painful to watch them--and this movie relates. Not only to the poor boob, but also to the people affected by their eccintricities--except that, now, we are allowed to laugh.
Rock me sexy Jesus needs to be nominated for an Oscar. Not only is it original, it is intregral to the story: it's not just some fluffy pop song rolling during the credits.
This is a smart movie for smart people. It will not appeal to all.
5
You must see. If you have no humor stay home! by jabberwolf
This movie was so incredibly wrong in so many ways, it was perfect!!
When I saw some of the fans writing about this, I had to join and write. This is the first movie that has compelled me to write a review!
1- It was horribly blasphemous!
2- Tasteless in every sense of the word!
3- Gratuitous nudity and not the pretty kind!
4- Vulgar language!
5- Ethnic insults left and right!
6- Causes aching sides of stomach from laughing so hard and outloud!!!
7- Elizabeth Shoe!
I went alone (killing sometime in the afternoon) to go see this movie. Now mind you its kinda difficult to laugh out loud in a half crowded theater by yourself but there was no use. I was tearing up trying to hold laughter in half the time. When I was walking home, I was laughing to myself to the bewilderment of those walking by. I must've seemed a freak!
It was hysterical. A serious sleeper movie. I can only pray (irony intended) that church go-ers protest this to get it more attention!
5
Lighten up! by cheetachic
Obviously this isn't a movie that will be winning an academy award. How many movies have been made about Christianity and religion in a positive way? Just because SOME people are blinded by faith, doesn't make it the truth, or standard for everyone else to believe. "Blasphemy's" in a movie? You have GOT to be kidding me?? Every movie that you watch that has any murder, sex, violence, cursing, or any self indulged actor in it could be called a blasphemy. Lighten up and get over your God complex, it's a movie!! This looks like a brilliant satire to start exactly what this country needs: Non ignorant, light hearted people to poke fun at how serious and dilllusion religions are. Do some research and really take a look at the movie, and your religion before you start using the word "blasphemy", or judge it. After all, if you're religious, do not judge, if not religious then go see the movie and enjoy!
5
Only so-so??? I say no-no!!! Simply awesome! by fatrohan
I honestly did not know what to expect from this movie. I hadn't read any reviews and had only read the prequel (Hamlet 1: Death in Denmark), so I had fairly low expectations. But this thang blew the original out of the water. I think they must have gotten a new writer for this one or something. Set in modern day Tucson this film tracks the extraordinary life of an ordinary drama teacher as he struggles with love, death, existential angst, racism, unfair artistic criticism and, of course, Elizabeth Shue. I felt the whole range of human emotion as I sat in the dark watching this masterpiece unfold. From out-loud laughter (through most of the film) to tears (from laughing). If you enjoy off-beat, odd, uncomfortable humor you'll love this movie. However, if you're a lamea$$ with absolutely no sense of humor, like the two old ladies sitting next to me who left half-way through, you'll hate it. This movie had the originality of Napoleon Dynamite mixed with the rauchness of Team America. GO!
5
Hamlet 2, worth watching? by Dannyb1022
To be honest I first walked into the theater and expected the theater not only to be empty (which it was), but the movie to be as bad, if not worse, than disaster movie. However, I was extremely surprised how much I laughed during that movie. I thought some of the acting was a little overdramatic at times and they threw a lot of junk into the movie that shouldnt have been there, yet I didnt go 5 minutes through the movie without laughing. For a movie with very little hype yet turned out to be a decent movie I will give it a thumbs up. Definitly a must go =)
5
It isn't Shakespeare but...! by actorcat
Have we seen this show before? Sort of... Is it brilliant? Sort of... Is it well acted? Definitely! Is it politically correct? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Is it funny? ABSOLUTELY!!! It was really nice, for a change, to see a comedy that wasn't all gross outs and fart jokes. It was smart, tightly written, and a great deal of fun. Granted, I had a rough day prior to seeing the movie, so I was ready (greatly hoping) to enjoy myself. And I did... It was like throwing the humor of "Hot Fuzz", the human breakdown hilarity of "Little Miss Sunshine", and a classic high school musical turned movie a'la "Grease" or "Hairspray" into a blender and hitting frappe! Viola ~ a comic smoothie worth savoring. The writers Pam Brady and Andrew Fleming (who also directed) did an excellent job with a tight script and several great studies in human quixotic'ness. Coogan is just amazing, some killer acting. The supporting cast and stars were superb as well and OMG - Elisabeth Shue ROCKS! See the show have fun!
5
Awsome movie that will only appeal to intelligent, with a sense of humor, open minded people by dreamergal19
I really enjoyed the movie. It was very funny with actual smart humor. It was refreshing to see a movie that wasn't like every other movie out there with dumb down jokes. The movie really has a lot of thought provoking intelligent messages which will go over a lot of the general public's heads. In reading the comments, I saw a lot of people were offended by the Jesus' jokes. Obviously, if you are close minded and/or religious this is not the movie for you. On the other hand, if you realize that the world wasn't created nor saved by one particular great public speaker, then this movie won't offend you one bit. If you are willing to not take things personally and want to have a laugh, go see it :)
5
Hamlet 2 perfect for high-school drama nerds and those who made fun of them by totally0random
I laughed my head off at this ridiculous comedy. Although the lead was very funny, it was the supporting cast that really had me laughing. Amy Poehler was hysterical, as always. Elisabeth Shue's performance as "herself" reminded me of Neil Patrick Harris's comeback role in Harold and Kumar. I hope to see her do more comedy in the future. I really liked Skylar Astin and Pheobe Strole as the two drama nerds. Who doesn't recognize these two characters? Either you were them in high school, or you picked on them for being so ridiculously melodramatic. For me, Skylar was the standout performer in the film, and he should have been onscreen more.
The story itself is fun and insane. If you haven't seen the online video for the song Rock Me Sexy Jesus, you should check it out. This is a pretty short movie, and I wish they hadn't cut out quite so much. You can tell in a couple places that something was removed and it doesn't flow as well as it should. Still, what is there is very funny.
1
Whew!....not that good- the critics lied. period by flicklvr
Don't go- it's existential humor at its very driest and while there are a few genuine laugh out loud moments, there is way too MUCH silence and time to check your watch between the odd, rare laugh. It is a deeply uncomfortable film and not a good date movie. Keener plays the character she always plays- the laconic cool chick with the vulnerable insides who is down on her luck- she does it well but it's nothing new. The only one in the film who deserves any of the critical accolades heaped on this movie ( and seriously, what the hell are they paying these guys ?!) is Steve Coogan. He is perfect in his portrayal of bad actor turned bad drama teacher. You will actually feel guilty laughing at his pathetic state because it is so damn real. Pathetically real. I went because I am a huge Amy Polher fan but she only delivers a few dead pan dic-jokes that aren't that funny and that's it! She barely registers. Don't go....just don't.
4
Hamlet 2 by zierke90
Hamlet is an extremely funny movie but can be slightly offensive at times when it brings up Jesus Christ in the movie's play. I consider myself to be somewhat non religious (never go to church, rarely pray, but still have faith), i'm not a "bible thumper" by any means. I found myself forcing myself to see the funny during the parts of the movie that referenced Jesus Christ, but overall a great movie for anyone with the exception of bible thumpers and people who get offended by the "french" language and that's it! Great Movie. HAlarious! :D