When Farva’s over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny’s sister spirals into chaos, the Super Troopers must navigate Thorny’s schemes to break up the relationship while trying to take down a pernicious new drug ring.
“Super Troopers 3” reunites the Broken Lizard crew for another ridiculous border-related adventure, as the Vermont State Troopers get wrapped up in a mix of smuggling schemes, law enforcement shenanigans, and international nonsense that mostly serves as an excuse for ninety minutes of increasingly stupid jokes.
If you know what you’re signing up for and understand the type of humor they’re aiming for, Super Troopers 3 will not disappoint.
As always, the story takes a back seat in the police cruiser while the jokes do all the driving. This time around, the guys find themselves caught up in another border-related mess involving Canadians, law enforcement politics, smuggling, and enough chaos to justify two hours of Farva screaming at people. The plot mostly exists as an excuse to move the gang from one ridiculous scenario to the next, and honestly, that’s exactly what most people are here for.
If you like this flavor of comedy, you’re going to have a really fun time three beers deep, ready to hang out with a group of friends who are clearly having the time of their lives making another one of these movies, which is one of the biggest strengths of Super Troopers 3. The chemistry still works. These guys know their characters so well at this point that even the smallest exchanges can get a laugh.
I also admire that they aren’t trying to please everyone. Broken Lizard knows exactly what kind of comedy they make, and they’re completely comfortable staying in that lane. The movie takes plenty of shots at modern technology, surveillance culture, AI, policing trends, and of course Canadians. Some jokes land harder than others, but the film is constantly throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.
What caught me off guard, though, was how hard the movie leans into racial humor and cultural jokes throughout. There are definitely moments where I sat there thinking, “Wow, they really went for that one.” Whether those jokes work for you will probably come down to your tolerance for this style of comedy. The movie isn’t trying to be delicate, safe, or universally appealing, and I respect that. In an era where a lot of studio comedies feel heavily watered down not to piss off a group of people, Super Troopers 3 feels surprisingly unconcerned with protecting itself from criticism.
The writing is actually more clever than people sometimes give these movies credit for. Underneath all the stupidity are a lot of recurring jokes, callbacks, and setups that pay off later. That’s always been one of Broken Lizard’s strengths. The humor is juvenile on purpose, but there’s usually more structure behind it than people realize. It’s definitely not going to click with everyone, but I personally vibe with the combination of smart writing and incredibly dumb punchlines.
What makes Super Troopers unique is that it really doesn’t have much competition anymore. They occupy such a specific corner of comedy that nobody else is really trying to fill. At the same time, it’s a flavor that’s best enjoyed in moderation. I don’t think I could handle one of these every year, but that’s exactly why they work. They disappear for years, show back up with another batch of idiotic jokes, make me laugh more than I expect, and then leave before wearing out their welcome.
I don’t think Super Troopers 3 will convert anyone who disliked the original or Broken Lizard’s other films. If you’ve never connected with their style, this isn’t the film that’s suddenly going to change your mind. But if you’re already a fan, it’s exactly what you’d want from a third entry.
Grab a few friends, have a boozy movie night, lower your bar for intellectual stimulation, and just let the stupidity wash over you. Chances are you’ll spend ninety minutes with a smile on your face and walk away feeling like it was time well spent.
Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD November 3rd
