7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
Thorny, Rabbit, Mac and Foster are passable Vermont State Troopers. Stationed in the boonies on the Canadian border, they spend the bulk of their time playfully toying with speeders and taking impounded sports cars for spins on the open highway. When they're not on the road, they try to stay on the good side of their fatherly mentor, Captain O'Hagan, and avoid their tactless, thick-necked compatriot, Officer Rod Farva. All in all, they find their work to be pleasantly unchallenging. However, once the state targets their low volume station for a potential budget slash, the guys decide to buckle down to impress the higher ups. Things look bleak until, unexpectedly, the State Troopers' new "by the book" attitude uncovers a drug smuggling operation running across the border to Canada. Sensing salvation, the Troopers race the clock to crack the ring and save their jobs. But they aren't the only ones in the hunt.
Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhanske, Paul SoterComedy | 100% |
Crime | 32% |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, French, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional)
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Bonus View (PiP)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It's not so funny meow, is it?
Perhaps no other genre elicits more of a personal reaction as does the Comedy genre. Some
audiences may
prefer the antics of Abbott and Costello; others might find the wit of Mel
Brooks to their liking; the genius of Bill Murray might be a personal favorite; or, for the younger
generations, the works of Sacha Baron Cohen might do the trick. Super Troopers plays
as
sort of
a cross-generational comedy, delivering over-the-top visual gags of the genre's early days with
the wit of Brooks, the comedic timing of Murray, and the gross-out humor of today. The film
succeeds in part because of its amalgamation of standards as no one area lacks in favor of
another. The Broken Lizard team is exactly that, all of them combining their efforts to make the
film a success both in front of and behind the camera, with each one contributing to the script
and playing the five lead roles, and one of their own, Jay Chandrasekhar, directing.
Yes, the movie is this funny!
Super Troopers pulls viewers over through its 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. While a well above average offering, this transfer doesn't have the same pop and clarity of the best and slickest of the more recent big-budget-turned-Blu movies, but the disc holds its own in most every scene, offering viewers highly detailed and rich imagery. The early scene featuring the trio of pot smokers in their car features very nice detail in the numerous close-ups of faces. The interior of the car, too, particularly the dash, features rich, lifelike imagery. The high level of detail continues throughout; a subsequent sequence in a diner in chapter three features a fine mixture of everyday objects all over the table and throughout the restaurant, ranging from the syrup bottles to chairs. The print features the occasional speckle and blemish, but these are never much of a deterrence to the overall presentation. Grain is not prevalent over the image, so for those who prefer that their movies fill their displays and feature minimal grain, this is the movie for them. Blacks levels and flesh tones are well represented. Super Troopers offers viewers a nice, lively, colorful transfer that suits the film well.
Super Troopers arrives on Blu-ray with Fox's usual DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless offering. Dialogue is strong and nicely recreated throughout the film. The track is loud but not overbearing; the music and sound effects come across with a nice bit of punch and vibrancy. Sound effects are scattered all over the soundstage, the track taking advantage of every speaker at its disposal. For example, the revving of a diesel motor in chapter 11 showcases good, clear, distinct, satisfying audio reproduction. This track does not feature an overly active surround presentation, but for a comedy, what is to be found here is more than adequate. there is a decent sense of directionality across the front as sounds follow the on-screen imagery rather well. The mix is by no means on the same level as the best of the recent avalanche of reference-grade action tracks, but it is surprisingly sufficient for a comedy.
Super Troopers rolls onto Blu-ray with an assortment of supplements fan will love.
Three
commentaries are available, two audio tracks and one picture-in-picture offering. The first audio
track features writer/actor/director/editor Jay Chandrasekhar and writer/actor Erik Stolhanske.
The
track is a good one, though not quite as humorous as one might expect. The pair offers a nice
amount of information, though rather dryly. Those more interested in the technicalities of the
production or who are fans of the participants will enjoy this one the most. Track number two
features
the other members of the Broken Lizard team, writers/actors Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme,
and Paul Soter. This track is also a bit drier than perhaps expected, more held back, but also
featuring a little more humor in addition to more technical discussions about the shoot, the
acting, and so on. The picture-in-picture track is a Blu-ray exclusive commentary and is uniquely
presented as the five members of the Broken Lizard team, sometimes with some special guests,
are superimposed over the bottom of the image, sharing their thoughts
and facing the audience. It's sort of a reverse "Mystery Science Theater 3000" effect, and in full
color and view, not simply silhouettes facing the screen. The track begins with the team sitting
on a couch, but as the film moves on, individuals will be seen walking around the screen, for
example. It's a great concept; the effect works well enough, though each individual is outlined
and clearly in front of a green/blue screen, but any visual shortcomings are more than made up
for by the novelty of the experience. The track is very funny, much more comical than
either of the audio tracks, but the increase in humor doesn't mean a drop-off in discussion on
some of the more technical aspects about the
film and the process of creating it. Watch for some surprises during the track!
Stupor Troopers: The Drinking Game is next. After a disclaimer and an introduction
from
the Broken LIzard team, viewers are prompted to choose to play the game with one or two
teams. Teams will have to handle the remote to answer trivia questions and will be prompted
when to take a drink by a set of rules that appear before the movie begins. Please note that
chapter skipping and fast forwarding/rewinding features are disabled during playback in
conjunction with this feature. Next are a series of outtakes and extended scenes (480p, 41:20)
with optional commentary from Jay Chandrasekhar and Erik Stolhanske. A feature entitled
simply Featurette (480p, 6:08) is next. It plays as a narrated pseudo-documentary that
focuses on the exploits of the officers as seen in the film, and includes some "interviews" with
the
troopers themselves. Road Trip News Wrap (480p, 1:58) looks at some of the comical
and unique ways the film was promoted. This supplemental package concludes with a pair of
trailers for Super Troopers (480p, 3:44) and 1080p previews for several additional Fox
titles: Juno, Me, Myself & Irene,
and There's Something About Mary.
Super Troopers is super comedy. The film's meshing of comedic styles, cohesive look and feel thanks to the Broken Lizard team's involvement in many of the key areas of the filmmaking process, and high replay value make the film an easy bet for any admirer of good comedy. Super Troopers makes for one of those go-to, good anytime comedies, much like Office Space and Caddyshack, and this Blu-ray edition is the best way to enjoy it. Featuring a colorful and nicely detailed transfer, a fine lossless audio presentation, and some fantastic supplements, particularly the novel picture-in-picture commentary track, this disc is worthy of a spot in every Super Troopers fan's Blu-ray collection. Easily recommended.
2001
Fox Icons
2001
Comic-Con 2015
2001
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2001
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2001
2018
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2018
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1995
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