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The Independent Critic

STARRING
Brian Cox, Clifton Collins Jr., Damon Wayans Jr., Emanuelle Chriqui, Erik Stolhanske, Fred Savage, Hayes MacArethur, Jay Chandrasekhar, Jim Gaffigan, Kevin Heffernan, Lynda Carter, Maggie Castle, Marisa Coughlan, Paul Soter, Paul Walter Hauser, Rob Lowe, Seann William Scott, Steve Lemme, Tyler Labine, and Will Sasso
DIRECTED BY
Jay Chandrasekhar
SCREENPLAY
Erik Stolhanske, Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme
MPAA RATING
Rated R
RUNNING TIME
Much longer than it needed to be
DISTRIBUTED BY
Fox Searchlight
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK

 "Super Troopers 2" - What Was Funny in 2001 Isn't Anymore  
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I don't know a single person who was eagerly anticipating, or even simply wanting, a follow-up to the 2001 cult comedy "classic," and I use the word classic lightly, Super Troopers. The guys behind Broken Lizard proved by their second film Club Dread that they were a one-hit wonder with subsequent films Beerfest, Puddle Cruiser, and The Slammin' Salmon all reminding us that the "long awaited" follow-up to Super Troopers could wait a little longer. 

But, here we are.

A successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo brought Super Troopers to life and we're faced with the hard and fast truth that wh was funny in 2001 is no longer funny. The film brings back those wacky Vermont cops and, of course, those wacky Vermont cops have to solve a crime before another police force, in this case Canada's finest, after Vermont authorities find out the Canadian-American border was drawn incorrectly and decide to claim what's theirs. 

Sigh.

Farva (Kevin Heffernan), Thorny (Jay Chandrasekhar), Rabbit (Erik Stolhanske), Foster (Paul Soter), and Mac (Steve Lemme) have found themselves off the force courtesy of a tragic accident involving Fred Savage and have been getting by in the construction world until the local mayor (Lynda Carter) recruits the guys to help out with the Canada-to-Vermont transition. 

What would Bob and Doug do?

At 100 minutes in running time, Super Troopers 2 grows weary fast with the humor predictably wrapped around old and tired Canadian stereotypes and the admittedly inexplicable Canadian embrace of all things Barenaked Ladies and Rush. The Canadian Mounties, including Tyler Labine, Will Sasso, and Hayes MacArthur, are funny for a little while but their shtick grows tired quickly and Rob Lowe's turn as mayor Guy LeFranc is never not tired. 

Super Troopers 2 may have enough in the way of nostalgic humor to please hardcore Broken Lizards fan, but newbies to the Broken Lizard scene will likely leave the film completely uninspired to go check out the vastly superior 2001 original film. Of course, if we're being completely honest even that 2001 original film is mighty tired these days. 

Sometimes, the best sequels are the ones that never happen. While not quite the disaster some will portray it to be, Super Troopers 2 is definitely a sequel that never needed to happen.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic