Puddle Cruiser

Most everyone on IMDb has been bashing this movie, saying that "it's nothing like Super Troopers or Club Dread" when, in all reality, it has the SAME exact humor as either of those movies. Kevin Hefferman is comic gold along with the rest of the Broken Lizard Comedy Group and this was not a disappointing buy for me simply because I love their material and this was nothing different from their normal humor. So stop listening to all the critics, go out and rent it, and form an opinion for yourself. Then, after viewing it first-hand, you can form your own opinion based upon what you actually saw, instead of what everyone on IMDb says about the movie. Now that's all I have to say, and I just need this stuff to fill my 10 lines necessary to post on the page.

This film marks the directorial debut of Jay Chandrasekhar, who would go on to achieve greater recognition with the comedy troupe Broken Lizard and films like "Super Troopers." Released in 1996, "Puddle Cruiser" showcases the group's early comedic talents and sets the tone for their signature irreverent humor.

The film revolves around the lives of a group of college friends at a small fictional university. At its core, the narrative explores the complexities of relationships, self-discovery, and the awkwardness of young adulthood. The characters are endearingly awkward, and their interactions are laced with the kind of humor that lies somewhere between deadpan and slapstick.

Chandrasekhar's direction displays a unique style that, even in his debut, hints at the distinctive comedic voice that would later become synonymous with Broken Lizard. The film's low-budget feel adds to its indie charm, emphasizing substance over style. The dialogue is clever and quick-witted, with the cast delivering their lines with a natural, unpolished flair that enhances the film's authenticity.

While "Puddle Cruiser" may not boast the polished production values of mainstream comedies, its raw and unfiltered nature contributes to its appeal. The film's charm lies in its ability to capture the essence of college life and the awkward journey of self-discovery that comes with it. The characters' relatability and the film's honest portrayal of friendship make it a hidden gem in the world of indie comedies.

In conclusion, "Puddle Cruiser" is a delightful and underrated comedy that serves as a precursor to the later successes of Broken Lizard. Its unique blend of humor, relatable characters, and unpretentious style make it a must-watch for fans of indie comedies and those interested in the early works of a talented comedic ensemble.

This flick highlights the comedic skills of the broken lizard troop and is a must see for any fan. It is my personal favorite of the three films the troupe has made and it is every bit as funny as Super Troopers if not more so. Steve Lemme is excellent as the romantic lead a different role than he has played in the other films. Erik Stolhanske is also incredibly funny as the trippy Freaky Reaky. The story is simple, but the writing fully makes up for it. It is incredibly dialogue driven and original. An excellent debut film and it must be noted that without they probably wouldn't have been able to make Super Trooper so all of their fans owe a big debt of gratitude to this little scene indy.

Like a lot of people on IMDb, I saw Super Troopers first and laughed my *ss off, thinking these guys were the second coming of Monty Python or something. Then I saw Club Dread, which had a significantly higher budget and more studio support, and I was certainly let down. So when I saw Puddle Cruiser on the shelf, I thought this might be the holy grail of Broken Lizard movies: an early effort in which these guys' talents could really shine, without being overpowered by the production.

But alas this sluggish, only sporadically amusing film brings to light one glaring fact about the BL team: these guys may be charismatic and talented, but writing is NOT their strong suit. This script is simply not funny, and no amount of natural comedic talent can cover that up. That makes it all the clearer why Super Troopers worked so well, while Club Dread didn't. Just compare the scripts, and you'll see that one is full of great jokes and situations ripe with comedic possibility, while the other is more of a premise than anything else.

So while Puddle Cruiser is a charming look at the roots of these guys' collegiate comedy bond, it is far from a solid film. Watch it for the nostalgia value, and hope these guys put as much effort into their future scripts as they did on Super Troopers.

Puddle Cruiser was my "Introduction" to the Broken Lizards. I saw the film in 2004 at a film festival that my wife talked me into attending. I had never heard of the Broken Lizards and was frankly not too excited about going. To cap it off, we didn't have a sitter for my 4 month old son, so I had to hold him for 2 hours. It was well worth it. The movie was great. It was filmed at their old college campus on a very low budget. It's raw, funny, absurd, ridiculous and enjoyable. With so much junk being produced now, it was a true break from mainstream crap. It's genuine art and not a bunch of clichés. See this movie and everything these guys make! By the way, I have NEVER rated a movie a "10". An "8" is pretty good.