Cast: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Hannah Simone, Nat Faxon, Chace Crawford, Andrew Dismukes, Marisa Coughlan and Brian Cox
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
In Irish Cinemas: 7th August 2026
Nearly two decades after the original cult comedy earned its loyal following, the “Super Troopers” franchise has reached a point where familiarity outweighs novelty. While 2018’s “Super Troopers 2” benefited from the goodwill of fans who helped fund its production after Hollywood doubted its viability, the third installment arrives without the same sense of triumph. Instead of feeling like an unlikely comeback, it plays more like another routine franchise continuation—one that exists because it can, rather than because it has something fresh to offer.
Fans devoted to Broken Lizard’s signature brand of absurd humor will likely find what they came for. The five original cast members return as Vermont’s famously immature state troopers, once again writing and starring in a comedy built on ridiculous pranks, exaggerated personalities, and intentionally goofy jokes. The chemistry between the performers remains the film’s greatest strength, helping smooth over uneven writing and modest production values. Still, it’s increasingly difficult to justify these adventures as feature films, especially when the concept might work better as an ongoing television comedy than another theatrical sequel.
Life in the small Vermont town of Spurbury hasn’t changed much. Former captain O’Hagen, despite officially stepping down, refuses to stay retired and continues hanging around the station, much to the annoyance of his replacement, the well-meaning but politically conscious Captain Markowski. Meanwhile, the veteran troopers now well into middle age remain just as irresponsible as ever, filling their shifts with pointless games, reckless driving, and elaborate practical jokes. The team’s newest recruit, Coy, slots effortlessly into the chaos, with his obsession with social media serving as the only real reminder that he’s from a younger generation.
The film’s main storyline centers on the ever-contentious relationship between Thorny and the loudmouthed Farva after Farva announces his engagement to Thorny’s sister, Sarita. What follows is a predictable wedding-comedy formula, as Thorny reluctantly accepts the role of best man while secretly plotting to derail the marriage. The shift toward wedding antics feels disconnected from the franchise’s usual highway-patrol mischief, suggesting the screenplay struggles to generate stronger ideas. Even so, the wedding setting creates opportunities for lighthearted cultural humor involving Sarita’s Indian-American family, with Sakina Jaffrey and Iqbal Theba bringing warmth and charm to their supporting roles.
Running alongside the wedding plot is a forgettable investigation involving Canadian drug traffickers. The subplot never develops into anything particularly engaging, relying on repetitive jokes about maple syrup, electric vehicles, and cross-border stereotypes while giving the remaining troopers something to do. Although the cast commits wholeheartedly to the material, few of them receive memorable moments, and much of the comedy feels stretched thin.
The film occasionally lands a laugh through sheer silliness, often succeeding with its simplest throwaway jokes rather than its elaborate gross-out gags. A ridiculous storefront named “Turban Outfitters” proves funnier than many of the movie’s larger comedic set pieces, while some of the more outrageous physical humor feels forced instead of inspired.
Ultimately, “Super Troopers 3” serves the same audience that has supported the series for more than 25 years. However, unlike its predecessor which carried the feel-good story of a fan-funded comeback this sequel lacks any compelling reason for existing beyond continuing the brand. Broken Lizard still appears to enjoy revisiting these characters, and their dedicated fanbase may happily join them once again, but the film rarely makes a convincing case that another trip with these troopers was necessary.
Overall: 1/10
Movie Reviewer
