‘Hamlet 2’

Is nothing sacred?

Happily, no -- not even William Shakespeare's (arguably) greatest play.

Then again, "Hamlet 2" spoofs a lot more than the Bard, from putting-on-a-show satires to Hollywood's seemingly endless fixation with inspirational teachers.

"Hamlet 2's" protagonist is definitely not one of them.

To be sure, Dana Marschz (don't try to pronounce his last name; nobody can) does inspire his students. But it's almost despite, not due to, his hapless efforts.

The fact that Steve Coogan plays Dana all but guarantees "Hamlet 2's" hilarity. To be sure, the movie has other attributes, from its deliriously silly premise to its ace supporting cast.

Without Coogan, however, it might not emerge as the palpable hit it's been since January's Sundance Film Festival.

Those in his native Britain know Coogan as one of the funniest guys on the planet, thanks to his TV portrayal of pricelessly inane talk show host Alan Partridge and roles in such gems as "24 Hour Party People" and "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story."

On this side of the Atlantic, however, moviegoers have seen him as Octavius in "Night at the Museum," Phileas Fogg in the misbegotten "Around the World in 80 Days" remake with Jackie Chan -- and, as of last week, as Damien Cockburn, "Tropic Thunder's" pretentious, hopelessly over-his-head director.

With "Hamlet 2," however, Coogan's finally gets a movie all to himself. About time, too.

His doomed Dana is an ambitious thespian hampered by a rather glaring lack of talent. Little wonder that his most prestigious dramatic roles involve pitching herpes drugs and Jack La Lanne's Power Juicer on TV.

Mired in obscurity as a high school drama teacher in Tucson, Ariz. -- "where dreams go to die," Dana laments -- he attempts to ignite his students' imaginations with stage versions of such cinematic favorites as "Erin Brockovich" and "Dead Poets Society." (There's that inspirational-teacher thing again.)

Like everything else Dana does, however, his cinematic adaptations trigger derision -- and withering reviews from, bless him, the school's pull-no-punches drama critic (Shea Pepe), a ninth-grader who suggests a more ambitious project -- especially after the school's principal (Marshall Bell) intimates that the school's arts budget may be on the chopping block.

Not if Dana has anything to say about it. Sure, his marriage to the sharp-tongued Brie (a deft, if underused, Catherine Keener) may be crumbling. His drama class, previously the realm of white-bread hams (Skylar Astin and Phoebe Strole, both of whom starred in the Broadway musical "Spring Awakening"), has been invaded by edgier ethnic newcomers (Joseph Julian Soria and "Be Kind Rewind's" Melonie Diaz).

Dana's sequel to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" explores controversial territory, resurrecting a variety of characters who died in the Bard's "bummer" original through the use of a time machine, to say nothing of introducing such additional dramatis personae as Hillary Clinton, Albert Einstein and Jesus Christ. (Naturally, Dana plays the latter, walking -- make that moonwalking -- on water to the show's showstopping production number, "Rock Me Sexy Jesus.")

There's more, but part of the fun in "Hamlet 2" is seeing where the playful screenplay finds its next bit of irreverence. Written by director Andrew Fleming ("Dick," "Nancy Drew") and Pam Brady ("South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut"), "Hamlet 2" has its share of scattershot moments, but Fleming maintains a rapid-fire pace that keeps the jokes flying. So, if you don't like one of them, sit tight -- another one will be whizzing by directly.

And, while you're waiting, feel free to dissolve in fits of giggles while Coogan does his thing. From time to time, he works a bit too hard to convince us of his utter hilarity, hoping his puppy-dog cuteness and look-at-me capering will make up for the movie's sporadic lulls.

Most of the time, however, Coogan's uproarious performance keeps "Hamlet 2" humming.

True, the movie boasts other sly turns, including "Saturday Night Live's" Amy Poehler as a crusading ACLU attorney and "Leaving Las Vegas" Oscar nominee Elisabeth Shue as an actress-turned-nurse -- named Elisabeth Shue.

But "Hamlet 2" remains Coogan's show all the way, providing a stellar showcase for his multiple comedic talents. Whether revealing his slapstick skills while roller-skating to work (and bemoaning the havoc gravel wreaks en route) or nailing Dana's cluelessly delusional self-absorption (watch him weep while he creates his latest opus, convinced of his own misunderstood genius), Coogan's gung-ho approach gives the movie irresistible comedic zing.

As Hamlet himself would (and did say), though this be madness, yet there is method in it. Along with lots of laughs.

Contact movie critic Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.