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The Broken Lizard comedy group returns with the third installment of their cult franchise, though the latest film struggles to justify its existence. While the 2018 sequel benefited from being an unexpected triumph after a decade-and-a-half gap since the original 2001 film, this new entry arrives with considerably less fanfare. The previous sequel, funded through nearly $5 million in crowdfunding after major studios showed little interest, offered audiences exactly what they wanted: familiar characters and callbacks wrapped in nostalgia. This third outing, however, lacks that same underdog appeal.
The film follows the same cast of bumbling Vermont state troopers as they navigate their everyday misadventures. This time, the central plot involves an elaborate wedding between two of the main characters, a storyline that leans heavily on conventional wedding-comedy tropes. A secondary narrative about the officers investigating a Canadian drug operation provides additional material for the ensemble cast. While the chemistry between the performers remains evident, and scattered jokes occasionally land, the overall material feels thin and lacking in genuine innovation.
Production values remain deliberately cheap and scrappy, consistent with the franchise’s aesthetic. The humor ranges from crude to deliberately sophomoric, with mixed results. Though some genuinely funny moments emerge, much of the comedy falls flat or feels disposable. For devoted fans of the series, the familiar formula may suffice, but the film does little to attract new audiences or convince skeptics of its cinematic necessity.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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