thegregk Reviews

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009)

Better Than Original

[6/10 · 6 May 2011]

Hey, this one actually makes sense! While the production quality might be a little low, it's fun, coherent, and yes, worlds better than the original. It's too bad that crappy actor from the first movie, the deputy with the whiny voice, returns... but you don't see him that much.

But seriously, the first movie was all over the place - is it funny? Is it campy? Is it horror? Is it ... hell, it didn't know what it wanted to be.

This one is very straight forward and knows what it is and has fun with it. It reminds me a little of the good horror films from the 80s. Plus, the animated titles are pretty sweet, too.

Hamlet 2 (2008)

Delightful, understated, FUNNY comedy

[9/10 · 17 May 2008]

Ah, how refreshing to find a comedy that isn't just gross-out gags, sentimental chick flick trash, or predictable Hollywood tripe... while Hamlet 2 isn't brilliant, and it isn't the funniest thing I've seen ever, it certainly carries its own, and this is largely in part due to Steve Coogan's performance.

Coogan is amazing as the fruity drama teacher who's life is falling apart. His shows are getting panned by a snarky underclassman, his marriage is falling apart, and he is totally uninspired. Through a series of events, he has an all-out crisis, but in a clever switch on the teacher inspires the students genre (Stand and Deliver, Higher Education), the students rally in their own way to help him create his masterpiece - Hamlet 2.

Hamlet 2 is ferociously politically incorrect, and this leads to the principal and some members of the community to try to close down the show, the ACLU (Amy Poehler!) gets involved, and the final performance of the show is a little bit mind blowing... ah, Sexy Jesus.

Yes, this is stuff we've all seen before, but Coogan's performance and his supporting cast, along with solid writing make this a Hollywood comedy that is actually funny.

Since it doesn't have any big stars, and it is a bit atypical, Hamlet 2 will probably fall by the wayside, but don't miss it if you've got the chance - there is hope for comedy yet!