Super Troopers 3: A Hilarious, Yet Uninspired Return to the Big Screen
The Broken Lizard comedy troupe has been around for a quarter of a century, and their latest offering, Super Troopers 3, is a testament to the enduring appeal of their brand of humor. However, this third installment in the series fails to capture the magic of its predecessors, leaving audiences with a mix of disappointment and mild amusement.
The gang is back, and they're older, but that doesn't mean they've gotten any wiser. Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhanske, and Paul Soter reprise their roles as the lovable (or not so much) troopers, with a few new faces joining the fold. The film introduces Hannah Simone as Sarita, Thorny's sister, and Nat Faxon as Captain Markowski, adding a touch of freshness to the familiar dynamic.
The plot, if we can call it that, revolves around Farva's wedding to Sarita, an Indian-style affair that Thorny desperately tries to sabotage. The storyline is a classic case of a man trying to stop a wedding, with Thorny's old-fashioned parents adding to the chaos. The humor, however, falls flat in many places, relying heavily on dick jokes, ethnic humor, and situations that are more cringe-worthy than funny.
One of the film's main issues is its inability to maintain a consistent tone. It starts with a few decent laughs, but as the story progresses, the jokes become more forced and less clever. The running gag about Captain Markowski's attempts to prove his open-mindedness while coming across as racist is particularly grating, as it feels like a cheap shot rather than a clever commentary.
The supporting characters, such as Ursula (Marisa Coughlan) and Captain O'Hagan (Brian Cox), provide some moments of levity, but they are not enough to save the overall mediocrity. Cox, in particular, shines in his role as the cantankerous chief, but his presence can't save the film from its overall lack of substance.
Super Troopers 3 is a prime example of a sequel that fails to live up to its predecessors. While it has its moments of humor, they are few and far between, and the overall execution is clumsy and uninspired. The film's reliance on crude jokes and unoriginal plot devices leaves audiences feeling underwhelmed and longing for the days of the first two installments.
In my opinion, Super Troopers 3 is a missed opportunity for the Broken Lizard troupe to showcase their comedic prowess. While it may appeal to fans of the series, it fails to attract new audiences, leaving them with a sense of disappointment and a longing for the good old days of Super Troopers humor.
