Super Troopers 2 (2018) – Film Review
Rarely does a sequel come along that outdoes its predecessor, let alone one that makes me laugh ten times harder at the same beloved bunk.
I wasn’t expecting much from the long-awaited sequel to 2002’s Super Troopers, but, man…did it deliver.
The boys are back. With Jay Chandrasekhar still at the helm, I knew the project was in the best hands it possibly could be. Everyone’s favorites—even the cameo appearances from the first movie—return, with some added bonuses. Good to see the gang back together, and that no newbies were shoehorned into that tight-knit group. New faces to the cast (whose filmographies I won’t list, to save space) include, but are not limited to, Clifton Collins, Jr.—I guess I got my wish, post-Pacific Rim—Rob Lowe, Will Sasso, Fred Savage, Damon Wayans, Jr., Seann William Scott, and Emmanuelle Chriqui. Of course, we get our dose of VHiPS shenanigans, too; I got more Farva out of this sequel—Kevin Heffernan did not disappoint—and Brian Cox was just as brilliant as he was the first time around. The man does not age—at a sobering 71, he’s still a young’n. The Mounties (of whom Sasso is hilariously included) are amazing; outrageous French accents, hockey yucks, and more 2018 American commentary than you can shake an executive order at, Super Troopers 2 is a likely, fitting sequel.
Being completely honest, it was a bit of a rocky start; I was sitting there in the theatre, all through the opener, holding my breath. I thought they’d lost it… Then, we get into the cop action, and it was like I’d never left. All the same humor, amped-up to astronomically-funny levels. My head actually hurt, walking out of the theatre, I was laughing so hard. Literally couldn’t breathe, in one scene.
Despite having the same plot and general bone structure of the first movie, 2 does everything right: Delivers on the same good time, just better-funded and with legions of devoted fans behind it. The soundtrack’s not so metal as the first, but it’s more grown-up, fitting the location of the film’s events.
Let’s talk about money, for a sec…
This film was crowd-funded, almost completely dependent on the fans. According to my boss, it reached its goal (and then some) in under 24-hours. People clearly wanted this movie. Originally, it only had a limited release; we only found out we were getting it last-minute. Even then, it didn’t have that “special” Thursday night release. Guessing Searchlight wanted as much exposure to their base as is humanly-possible, as we got that and the double-feature. Worth the headache, though. Those who want to see it—or already, technically, paid for it—will see it, and that’s what counts. Niche films are still a viable market. Hopefully I’m wrong, though, and more people catch on and go support it.
Call-backs to the first film—including some fan-favorite scenes, blown out of hilarious proportion—abound. Jim Gaffigan, Lynda Carter, and others return to round it all off, making this sequel a refreshing follow-up to one of the aughts’ canon classics. Many probably came back at a discount, just to see the fans happy, and I love that notion.
Super Troopers 2 is one of those sequels that manages to pay homage to its roots, and flip it all the bird at the same time—still an indie-feel film, just with a bigger budget, louder laughs, and a rewatchability factor so rare in this age of stale comedies.
Final ‘Risk Assessment: *****/.
Next review: Traffik
