Tag: broken lizard

SUPER TROOPERS 2 – Review

How many penis jokes can you fit into a film? SUPER TROOPERS 2 tries to answer the question by pushing the subject to the max (that’s not a euphemism). The male parts get kicked, tasered, threatened of being shaved, discussed ad nauseam, and even boxed. Why they are the centerpiece of so many jokes could be analyzed on a deeper level, but that would require giving these jokes more thought than The Broken Lizard crew gave the script. 

The lazy script – attributed to the entire Broken Lizard collective – doesn’t just reach for such low hanging fruit when it comes to genitalia, farts, and sex, but also in the way of making fun of Canadians. In fact, that’s the majority of the film. After a fantastical and amusing opening sequence that features a couple of cameos, the state troopers from Vermont head North across the border in order to help monitor the highways of an area that may actually be part of the United States instead of Canada. The whole crew (Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, and Jay Chandrasekhar) led by Captain O’Hagan (Brian Cox) must now work alongside Canadian Mounties. As one would expect, lots of pancakes, French-Canadian accents, and hockey jokes come flying left and right. Sooorrrrrry.

One of the saving graces of the Canadian joke storm is Rob Lowe, who serves as the town’s mayor and owner of a hockey bar and brothel. The goofy, overly-nice Canadian schtick he’s doing mainly works. A few other skits land as well, one of which is an over-extended argument about Danny Devito that somehow made it into the film despite it feeling like a deleted scene. Because it comes out of left field compared to other obvious one-liners, it feels fresh. The same can be said about the absolutely ridiculous opening scene. In a way, when the skits fall back on the AIRPLANE! formula is when they work the best. In a film littered with cheap sex jokes and nods to the original film, it’s the far-fetched moments that catch you completely off guard and make the biggest maple syrup-drenched splash.

The fact that the film’s marketing is heavily advertising the fact that the film is coming out on 4/20 is an indication of the mindset the audience should be in to fully appreciate this reunion. The Broken Lizard troupe has had some minor highs in the past with the original film and the underrated slasher comedy, CLUB DREAD (one of Bill Paxton’s finest roles, if I do say so). However, SUPER TROOPERS 2 doesn’t venture too far off the familiar and formulaic path. Your love of the characters will only go so far as you settle in for a trip that feels even more like amateur nonsense than the first time.

 

Overall Score: 2 out of 5

SUPER TROOPERS 2 opens in theaters on Friday, April 20th

SLAMMIN’ SALMON’s Messy Poster

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“Bring a Bib, It’s Gonna Get Messy.”

The tagline at the bottom says it all.  This new poster for Broken Lizard’s latest comedy, THE SLAMMIN’ SALMON, courtesy of the people over at  IMP Awards, it pretty messy.  It features the mainstays of the cast including Michael Clarke Duncan’s Cleon ‘Slammin’ Salmon towering over the other guys.  However, this, much like that horrendous poster for TAKERS, looks like a Photoshop job gone horribly wrong.  About the only thing about this that looks natural in any sense of the word is the fresh fish Jay Chandrasekhar is presenting to us.

Check it out right here:

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This is kind of a shame when you consider the professional-looking and, more often than not, involved posters the Broken Lizard films have generated in the past.  Nonetheless, you should check out the film when it hits theaters later this year.  While it’s not as good as their previous entries (most of that lays at the feet of first-time director Kevin Heffernan) it’s still head and shoulders above a lot of what passes for comedy these days.

THE SLAMMIN’ SALMON is set for release on December 11th.

SLAMMIN’ SALMON Knocking Your Head Off in December

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While I wasn’t just the hugest fan of Broken Lizard’s latest movie, THE SLAMMIN’ SALMON (you can check out my SXSW review right here), I still have to give credit to the comedy troupe for the film.  Even their weakest film, which I believe this to be, is still funnier than 90% of the comedies that typically come out.  You can probably knocked that down to 75-80% for the last couple of years, but it still gets a passing grade.

Having said that, I am shocked it took this long, but the film has finally been picked up for distribution.  According to Variety, Anchor Bay picked up all US, UK, and Australian rights to the film, and they plan to release the film in the US in December.  Not only that, but Comedy Central has also acquired first-run rights for free TV.

With films like SPREAD and BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT under Anchor Bay’s theatrical belt, THE SLAMMIN’ SALMON could see the company’s widest release.  However, having said that, I don’t see the film getting the near-3000 screen wide release BEERFEST got in 2006.  Expect more in the 1700-1800 screen release range that Broken Lizard’s first two features, SUPER TROOPERS and CLUB DREAD, received.

No specific date for release has been set.

SXSW Review: ‘The Slammin Salmon’

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I was overly excited to hear that the new Broken Lizard film would be playing the South by Southwest film festival.   ‘Super Troopers’ and ‘Beerfest’ were hysterical, but I am a huge fan of ‘Club Dread’.   I know.   I’m the only one.   So take that into heart when I tell you ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’, their latest effort, is their weakest.   It might be that this is the first Broken Lizard effort directed by Kevin Heffernan (Farva, for those who don’t know Broken Lizard by their given names) and not fellow troupe member Jay Chandrasekhar.   It shows.

This isn’t to say ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ is wholly unfunny.   There are numerous possibilities when you are dealing with a comedy about a wait staff at a prestigious, Miami restaurant.   Throw in the fact that the eatery is owned by former, Heavyweight boxing champ, Cleon “Slammin” Salmon (Michael Clarke Duncan) who literally decapitates people with his punches.   Add on top of that a Glengarry Glenn Ross-esque competition amongst the wait staff (1st place is $10,000/last place is a broken rib sandwich) and you’ve got yourself a melting pot of potentially uproarious ideas.

It also helps that Broken Lizard rarely takes the easy route with their comedy.   If you are expecting ‘Still Waiting Even Longer’, this isn’t the movie for you.   There isn’t anyone messing with the utmost disgust with someone’s food, as you might expect.

Many of Duncan’s lines are instantly quotable, and the moments where Chandrasekhar’s Nuts goes a little…well, nuts, are insanely comical.   However, much of the other characters are either not given a whole lot of humor to execute or the actors are not at the top of their game.   Heffernan, in particular, seems to be distracted, which isn’t shocking considering this is the first film the guy has directed.

There are some pretty humorous cameos by Lance Henriksen, Morgan Fairchild, Will Arnett, and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder on Heroes).   Ramamurthy actually steals the scenes he is in making you almost think the annoyance of his character on his TV show stems from the writing.

All in all, ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ is a disappointing effort from a comedy troupe who, five years ago, were about to be the next, huge thing going.   This film, while a minor setback, is still a setback.   It’s funny.   It’s not a complete waste of time, but it just doesn’t seem like anyone is giving their all here.

Overall: 2.75 stars out of 5

‘Freeloaders’ is next for Broken Lizard

Broken Lizard’s next comedy project will be ‘Freeloaders’ and has signed Josh Lawson, Brit Morgan, Olivia Munn, Jane Seymour and Clifton Collins, Jr. to star in the flick, which will be directed by Dan Rosen (The Last Supper, writer). The film will be produced by Adam Duritz from Counting Crows, who will also appear as himself in the movie.

The story revolves around a group of guys and a girl who live it up in the lap of luxury in a rock star’s mansion. When circumstances change and the rock star decides to sell the house, their lifestyle is threatened.

[source: Hollywood Reporter]

‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ Red Carpet Screening

Broken Lizard hosted the first-ever screening of their fifth feature film, ‘The Slammin’ Salmon‘,  starring Michael Clark Duncan as Cleon ‘Slammin’ Salmon. The gang are taking the film to Park City and this was the only private screening before the World Premiere at Slamdance.

As Paul Soter put it: “We’re going to the dance.”

Continue reading ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ Red Carpet Screening

Red-Band Trailer for Broken Lizard’s ‘Slammin’ Salmon’

It’s been far too long since we’ve had a Broken Lizard film. Â  The incredible comedy troupe who brought us ‘Super Troopers’, ‘Club Dread’, and ‘Beerfest’ are back. Â  This time around, they’re bringing Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Jai White, and Lance Henriksen with them in ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’.

The film, the first directed by Kevin Heffernon, is about a Miami restaurant owner and former heavyweight boxing champ who becomes indebted to the Mob. Â  He sets his wait-staff to a challenge. Â  Whoever makes the most money in one night earns $10,000. Â  The loser gets a beating courtesy of the champ.

Collider has provided us with the red-band trailer.

Check it out:

What do you think? Â  Are the boys back at it full force? Â  Will this be their funniest movie yet? Â  Which of their films is your favorite? Â  Can you really pass up a film that give Lance Henriksen work these days? Â  Let us know by commenting below!

Source: Collider