It may not win any points for subtlety or ingenuity, but Super Troopers 2 knows what it needs to be and gives its devoted fans the sequel that they have desired.
If for nothing else, Super Troopers 2 is proof that just about any sequel can find its way to theaters. Even in a landscape seemingly stuffed to the limit with sequels of all shapes and sizes, whether they be required, unnecessary, or completely out of left field, a follow-up for Broken Lizard’s stoner classic seemed outside of reach.
But there is something to be said about a passionate fanbase who not only cried for a Super Troopers 2 ever since the original was released in 2002, but responded with their wallets when the follow-up needed a kickstarter in order to remain a possibility. The investment proved to be entirely worth it because Broken Lizard has repaid its fans with a faithful sequel that sticks to what made the original work, but also keep things fresh and exuberant to the point where it feels like a self-contained experience in and of itself that proves to be one of those rare second installments that justifies its worth without relying on the film that came before it.
Super Troopers 2 reunites the esteemed crew of Vermont’s Highway Patrol nearly two decades after they were last seen onscreen, meaning a reunion of macho prankster Mac (Steve Lemme), mustachioed team leader Thorny (Jay Chandrasekhar, who also directed the movie), former newbie Foster (Paul Soter), and the ever-aloof Rabbit (Erik Stolhanske). Having all lost their jobs in a tragic accident involving a has-been movie star, the crew are presented with a chance to gain their old jobs in the form of a US / Canadian border dispute. With tensions rising and incumbent Canadian forces upset with the change over, the whole crew is tasked with establishing a border patrol. And I did say the “whole crew” which means yes, that means Farva (Kevin Heffernan) is back as well.
Not to discredit the sentiment that comes with this movie in particular, but the novelty of a long-awaited reunion seems to be wearing off in cinema lately. With nostalgia becoming a major factor in most movie marketing nowadays, it seems like we are getting an anticipated big screen reunion every weekend. But Super Troopers 2 is a particularly interesting case because of its participants who, while undeniably funny and likable, had not been the most prolific actors since filming wrapped on the first movie nearly seventeen years ago. Understandably, there were legitimate reservations about whether they could still carry a film for its entire runtime. But from the opening scene, which includes not one but two playful cameos, the movie shows those concerns were unfounded. The chemistry and timing between the core members of the cast is so strong that it sustains the movie and ties together a story that is more a series of funny vignettes than it is a solid narrative. Unlike most comedy sequels, it chooses not to resuscitate old jokes from the past or attempt to recreate the old formulas, and in doing so manages to recapture a similar magic to that of its predecessor.
It does not all work though, which is what keeps me from calling this a great comedy or even a truly noteworthy movie overall. There are a handful of running gags that do not land like they were intended to, like Throny’s addiction to a women’s supplement which seems to gather diminishing returns. And the movie also plays into the original’s greatest shortcoming, which is navigating material that, if handled poorly, will come off as annoying. Of course, I am mostly referring to Farva who, while redeemable like he was in the last one, is still a source of personal contempt from me.
Super Troopers 2 also loses a bit of steam when it heads towards its final twenty minutes. But even with a less than stellar final act, the movie can’t help but feel like a promise fulfilled. Its profane, borderline indecent approach to humor may turn some away, but if you are already a fan of the 2002 original, and R-rated comedies in general, then Super Troopers 2 is more than worth your time and the investment it took to get it produced.
I Give Super Troopers 2 a B.
Before It Leaves Theaters 