Hamlet 2 is bound to field comparisons to Napoleon Dynamite or the plenty of other films that have been made due to Napoleon’s surprising success. It is comprised of similarly chaotic characters in unusual situations brought to a comedic extreme. Dysfunction and eccentricity are the fuel for Hamlet 2, but it takes the extra step other comparable comedies have reeled back from – the R-rating. Vulgar at times and offensive at others, it keeps up a steady flow of laughs with easy exploitations such as race and religion. And it is indeed funny.

Hamlet 2 is set in the place where dreams go to die: Tucson, Arizona. Failed actor Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) has turned to teaching drama class as a means of survival, and must contend with being an utter failure at that as well. His former-drug-dealer wife (Catherine Keener) offers little stability to his turbulent life, in which Dana must deal with the possibility of being infertile, a harsh theater critic, overenthusiastic students, and a Principal who doesn’t appreciate the fine arts.

When the school electives are cut down, drama suddenly becomes the only choice, filling Dana’s classroom with unruly and indocile students. As he somehow manages to draw talent out of the more irreverent students, a fiscal crisis hurls the arts programs onto the chopping block, and Drama class is shut down. But in a last attempt to nurture his own artistic struggles and the hidden talents of his ramshackle acting troupe, Dana writes and choreographs a highly controversial play. The sequel to Hamlet, Hamlet 2 focuses on undoing the tragedies that led to the principle players’ deaths – with the help of a time machine, Jesus, and impulsive song and dance.

Biting sarcasm and comical vulgarities hide the fact that few of the jokes are intelligent. Blatant racism and religious spoofs are easy methods of hilarity, and they ceaselessly level the audience with laughter and unease. There are serious bits of drama occasionally mixed in, but the characters are so unordinary that normal reactions can’t possibly be anticipated. The power of booze, foul language, cliché media extravaganzas, bold offenses and oodles of enthusiasm make up for any lack of talent and the questionable editing of the film. Praise must be given to Steve Coogan who magnificently supports the entire film and keeps up viewer interest almost single-handedly.

Narration and title cards are used (Act 4: Hope is a Demon Bitch), Elisabeth Shue shows up to play herself, and Amy Poehler unleashes the most cynical lines as her typical character (“I’m married to a Jew – I’ve got nothing to lose”). Some of the most rewarding moments are the unbelievably well-lighted and choreographed song and dance sequences during the play itself, and the many ramifications of desperately straying from the beaten path of decency. Aside from the extra special meaning to Arizona residents (Tucson is the butt of many a joke), Hamlet 2 is highly entertaining nonsense – perhaps as amusing as it is repellent to the easily offended.

- Mike Massie