There are few comedy franchises as defiantly committed to their own wavelength as Super Troopers. Twenty-five years after the original became an unlikely cult sensation on DVD shelves and dorm-room repeat viewings, the Broken Lizard gang are still making movies that feel as though they were conceived during an extended road trip between lifelong friends; whether you’re in on the joke or completely baffled by it has always been the deciding factor. Super Troopers 3 doesn’t attempt to broaden that appeal. Instead, it doubles down on exactly what its audience expects, delivering another barrage of absurd pranks, juvenile banter and wonderfully committed stupidity.
It also opens in surprisingly spectacular fashion. A lavish Bollywood-style dance number unfolds around what appears to be Farva’s wedding, complete with colourful choreography, elaborate costumes and enough energy to briefly convince you the franchise has taken a wildly unexpected creative detour. Before long, however, the film flashes back two months, revealing that this extravagant celebration is merely the destination for another gloriously ridiculous Broken Lizard adventure.
Unofficially subtitled Farva’s Wedding, the film centres on the revelation that Farva (Kevin Heffernan, the film’s MVP) is engaged to Sarita (Hannah Simone), the sister of Thorny (Jay Chandrasekhar). Understandably horrified, Thorny launches “Operation Indian Burn”, dedicating himself to sabotaging the relationship before the ceremony can happen. Simultaneously, the Vermont State Troopers are investigating the emergence of a potent new narcotic known as Canadian Crystal, while also finding themselves repeatedly crossing paths with suspiciously charismatic wedding planners Steve and Baker Buchanan (Jon Rudnitsky and Chace Crawford), whose entrepreneurial pivot away from illegal substances may not be quite as genuine as advertised.
As always, the plot exists largely as connective tissue between sketches, running gags and increasingly elaborate detours. That’s never been a criticism of Super Troopers; narrative has always taken a back seat to personality. The pleasure comes from watching these characters bounce off one another, and the chemistry between the Broken Lizard troupe remains comfortably intact. Their familiarity gives even the silliest exchanges an effortless rhythm that can’t really be manufactured.
Some of the funniest moments come not from the central storyline but from casually dropped references to bizarre off-screen escapades. Mentions of things like a stripper-themed escape room or a stripper crab boil are delivered with such complete sincerity that they’re arguably funnier than jokes the film spends several minutes building towards. It’s a reminder that the group’s greatest comedic strength has always been creating the illusion that audiences are dropping into friendships already decades in progress.
There are enjoyable wrinkles, both returning and introductory, within the ensemble too. Brian Cox once again steals scenes simply by looking perpetually exhausted as retired Captain O’Hagan, who cannot quite accept that retirement means staying away from the chaos he spent years trying to control. New addition Nat Faxon as Todd Markowski discovers that being their captain brings remarkably little respect from anyone around him, while Foster (Paul Soter), now separated from Ursula (Marisa Coughlan), spends much of the film quietly seething as enthusiastic rookie Coy Burns (Andrew Dismukes) begins attracting her attention. Dismukes slips comfortably into the ensemble, bringing an eager confidence that naturally irritates Rabbit (Eric Stolhanske), who still hasn’t recovered from his own disastrous rookie years.
Perhaps the film’s biggest surprise is allowing Farva moments of genuine vulnerability. Beneath the usual obnoxious bravado, revelations about his real accent and several long-hidden truths give the franchise’s loudest character an unexpectedly human dimension. The film never lingers long enough for sentimentality to overwhelm the comedy, but it adds just enough sincerity to make the central wedding storyline feel like more than an excuse for chaos.
That said, Super Troopers 3 is also a reminder that cult comedy and consistently funny comedy aren’t necessarily the same thing. For every joke that lands with effortless absurdity, another overstays its welcome or feels like it’s relying on affection for these characters rather than fresh comic invention. The film rarely reaches the inspired highs of the original, and some of the broader gags feel content to simply revisit familiar rhythms instead of finding new ways to surprise.
Still, there’s something undeniably comforting about watching the Broken Lizard crew refuse to evolve into anything other than themselves. They know precisely what movie they’re making, who it’s for, and have no interest in chasing contemporary comedy trends. That confidence carries Super Troopers 3 through its weaker stretches.
Fans who’ve spent decades quoting “meow” back and forth will almost certainly leave satisfied, while newcomers may struggle to understand why everyone seems so delighted by these overgrown children in police uniforms. But perhaps that’s always been the point. Super Troopers has never been trying to win over everyone. Twenty-five years later, it’s still happily making the same wonderfully juvenile movie for the people who never wanted it to grow up.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Super Troopers 3 is now screening in Australian theatres, before opening in the United States on August 7th, 2026.
