Publication Date: 08-05-2026

Super Troopers (2001) review

Dir. Jay Chandrasekhar

By: Steve Pulaski

Rating: ★★★

While I might prefer their later effort Club Dread as both a satirical work and a film in general, there’s no denying the Broken Lizard troupe — comprised of Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske — is most synonymous with Super Troopers. The group’s proclivity for silly, group-led camaraderie is on full display in this once-proud Comedy Central staple.

This is Super Troopers yet another film in the ever-so-winded buddy cop formula. But this time, the formula comes off as vaguely fresh. We are placed in the town of Spurbury, Vermont, where the Vermont State Troopers are more concerned with tomfoolery and pranks rather than actual police-work. The cops are veteran Arcot “Thorny” Ramathorn (Jay Chandrasekhar, who also directed), collective Jeff Foster (Paul Soter), funny-boy MacIntyre “Mac” Womack (Steve Lemme), rookie Robert “Rabbit” Roto (Erik Stolhanske), and obnoxious Rodney “Rod” Farva (Kevin Heffernan). All these men are run by a hilarious Brian Cox, who is easily agitated by the groups’ lackluster performances.

The vague plot centers around a drug-smuggling operation that could potentially skyrocket the troopers’ reputation and respect, but due to further incompetence and laziness, they find themselves in competition with their rivals, the Spurbury Police Department. They are also faced with numerous budget cuts.

Super Troopers plays like a no-rules Saturday Night Live episode with rowdy characters, ridiculous setups, and quotable lines abound. The film doesn’t seem to have much discipline as a comedy, but it has control, and knows when scenes are going on for too long. Many come so precariously close to overstaying their welcome, but the troupe know when to pivot to the next bit. That makes the movie feel nimble and malleable, a necessary ingredient in something that’s predicated on being so freeform.

It’s difficult to recommend, let alone review a film like Super Troopers. Some instances are funny, some are not, but the result is amusing, lively, and good-natured. The characters are all likable, the interplay between the titular crew is almost lyrical, and the comic direction is overall smooth. It’s not hard to see why it has developed a loyal fanbase and enthusiastic response from people from all walks of life — albeit after being indifferently reviewed and more-or-less dismissed upon its initial theatrical release. It’s positive and fun to watch, and sometimes, that’s good enough.

My review of Super Troopers 2
My review of Super Troopers 3

NOTE: Take a listen to my interview with Broken Lizard members Steve Lemme and Kevin Heffernan, where we talk their show, Tacoma FD, Club Dread, and more!

Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Brian Cox, and Marisa Coughlan. Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar.