Released in 2001, Super Troopers entered the realm of "cult-like" status, serving as a popular, stereotypical comedy that almost every comedy fan has seen by now. After 17 long years, and a few missteps on the way, Broken Lizard has given their fans exactly what they have been waiting for: Super Troopers 2. The sequel is more of the same; sporting obnoxious banter, the occasional drug reference, and a fair share of raunchy comedy. However, more of the same is not a bad thing, and Super Troopers 2 is able replicate what made it so good in 2001. Director Jay Chandrasekhar never takes himself, or the film, too seriously, which in turn delivers a very enjoyable comedy that seems to get funnier throughout the 100-minute runtime. Don't go into this movie expecting an intriguing story or brilliant acting, just expect to laugh and have a good time.
Set after the events of Super Troopers, the police officers find themselves once again out of a job. Mac (Steve Lemme), Rabbit (Erik Stolhanske) and Farva (Kevin Heffernan) find themselves working in construction, while Thorny (Jay Chandrasekhar) and Foster (Paul Soter) are off doing their own thing as well. After Captain O'Hagan (Brian Cox) invites them up to Canada for a fishing trip, the ex-troopers find out it was all a ploy to get them North. The United States and Canada have been discussing a small border dispute, and it turns out a small piece of Canada actually belongs to Vermont. The state highway patrol team is reassembled to make sure the transition goes smoothly, but not without resistance from the locals. Of course, it wouldn't be a Super Troopers film without rival officers, and the Canadian Mounties do a fantastic job fulfilling that role.
The film's premise is simple, and it's setting acts as an outlet for the slew of Canadian and American jokes throughout. The writers do try to cite some of the old jokes from the original, but smartly, they do not abuse this. A few throwbacks here and there are a welcome sight to most fans, but this film has enough original content to satisfy someone watching Vermont's Finest for the first time. Fan-favorite, Farva, is as funny as ever, playing the role as the stereotypical American, and owning it brilliantly. One-liners and ridiculous banter make up for the occasional dull periods throughout the film, as Super Troopers 2 constantly gives the audience something to smile about.
What makes this sequel so memorable, in an environment oversaturated with ridiculous comedies, is that the characters are relatable. Sure, they are constantly pulling outrageous pranks and making bad decisions, but they also come across as a regular group of friends, making jokes at each other's expense and doing it in good fun. Not coming across as pretentious or even that smart, the comedy is simple, yet hilarious. Super Troopers 2 is an outstanding sequel, it checks all the boxes and leaves the audience satisfied. If you are looking for some dumb-fun filled with nostalgia and laughs, make sure to check out this film.