All Rise...

Judge David Johnson thinks these Lizards are Broken.

The Charge

Like your dumb friends…just less funny.

The Case

Full disclosure: I have soured on these guys. I sufficiently enjoyed the sophomoric shenanigans of Super Troopers, but there isn't a film I've seen since from Broken Lizard that's worked (including their limited release maiden voyage Puddle Cruiser). Their latest effort, The Slammin' Salmon was their nadir; an unfunny mess that finally sealed my opinion of the troupe. They made one moderately successful comedy, but it's been a nosedive from there.

That said, I opted to slightly unseal said opinion and give them another shot at generating some laughs. As such, I went into their stand-up special with an open mind. After all, this wasn't a feature film; it was each troupe member on their own, in front of an audience, giving it their best shot to bring the funny. Comedy in its purest form.

And with that, the window slams shut.

These guys just aren't that funny.

Each Lizard takes his turn doing a solo act and no one stands out. Steve Lemme talks about masturbation; Paul Soter laments his job as a husband and a father; Kevin Heffernan spends the entire set making fun of his nude scene in Super Troopers; Erik Stolhankse recounts his experience producing a sperm sample; and Jay Chandrasekhar indulges in his pot exploits. Stolhanske is probably the highlight, but that may be because he comes across as more likable. The most I could muster, even for the best stuff, was a grin.

There's a painful Susan Boyle sketch mixed in with stand-up, and the special wraps up with the guys telling stories of how they met, which aren't that amusing. Steve Lemme stole Kevin Heffernan's coat! And when Kevin got it back there was pot in it! Ba-da bing! Seriously, you have funnier stories.

The disc: 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, 2.0 stereo, a deleted Super Troopers sketch performed live, footage from the concert tour, and outtakes.

The Verdict

Guilty. Sorry boys, it's over.

Give us your feedback!

Did we give Broken Lizard: Stands Up a fair trial? yes / no

What's "fair"? Whether positive or negative, our reviews should be unbiased, informative, and critique the material on its own merits.

Share This Review

Follow DVD Verdict

Other Reviews You Might Enjoy

• Christina Aguilera: Genie Gets Her Wish
• Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe
• Legally Blonde Platinum Collection
• Sound And Motion: Volume 1