Super Troopers (2001)

Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar. Starring Paul Soter, Jay Chandrasekhar, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhanske, Kevin Heffernan, Brian Cox, Marisa Coughlan, Daniel von Bargen, John Bedford Lloyd, Andre Vippolis, Geoffrey Arend, Joey Kern, Lynda Carter. [R]

Surprisingly funny hijinks (or should it be high-jinks?) from a small crew of Vermont state troopers who like to playfully harass each other and unsuspecting citizens, but are forced to actually do their jobs when they stumble upon a drug smuggling operation in their proverbial backyard. Second feature from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe remains their best to date, and certainly their most consistent (though still patchy in spots); those looking for sly wit and well-constructed bits best look elsewhere, since this a lazy, lowbrow brand of humor that almost becomes more likable because it’s so disinterested in anything other than making its creators laugh (and hopefully the audience, too). Best bits involve meowing at motorists, demanding a liter-o’-cola, pistol-whipping the next guy who says “shenanigans,” and terrorizing a trio of stoned teenagers on the interstate. A small success during its theatrical release, it exploded in popularity once it reached home video, and turned into a cult comedy with a fanbase devoted enough to eventually help fund a sequel more than fifteen years later.

75/100