Puddle Cruiser

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.

A hilarious movie made by a comedy group called the "Broken Lizard". They were recently-graduated Colgate students who raised a pile of money to make their movie. Armed with a great script, a bunch of unknown actors and a great soundtrack they made their movie on the campus about a group of friends, a girl, and a guy named Traci Shannon aka "Thunder". The acting is great, the lighting and sounds are amazingly well done. It is amazing what you can do with $160,000 and a good imagination. They are currently touring the country in a Winnebago, going to college campuses to show their movie. Look for it! You won't be disappointed.

I was excited to find this film on Sundance, it having been recommended to me by a friend who's no slouch in the picking-out-talented films department. I'm amazed this was done with only $160,000. I greatly look forward to the next projects of everyone involved. It reminded me of "Bottle Rocket," not so much in plot or style but in overall spirit and fun. I hope this gets the wide release it deserves, as I'd love to buy the DVD and find out more about how it was done, etc. Great film to watch with friends or by yourself. I know this review doesn't say all that much, but watching it this afternoon for the second time has made me alternately nostalgic and lighthearted, and I felt like tossing these words out into cyberspace.

Super Troopers was an instant classic. Club Dread, while disappointing to many, had its moments. Puddle Cruisers has fewer moments. I saw this movie on the shelf of my local video store and saw at the bottom that it was made by the Broken Lizard group who made Super Troopers, so naturally I picked it up. I only found one scene to be laugh out loud funny. A far cry from Super Troopers. All in all, I was very disappointed. I would not recommend this to anyone, unless you have an abundance of free time, and really need to kill some time. However, you're better off playing video games, or watching something that might make you laugh or think.

Puddle Cruiser is an offbeat indie comedy that serves as a nostalgic throwback to the college experience. Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and featuring a cast of relatively unknown actors who would later become prominent in the comedy scene, including members of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe, this film offers a refreshing take on the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.

Set on the fictional campus of Holden University, the story follows the misadventures of a group of college students as they navigate relationships, academics, and the existential angst that comes with the territory. At its core, Puddle Cruiser is a character-driven piece, focusing on the dynamics between the quirky ensemble cast rather than relying on big-budget spectacle.

The film's strength lies in its witty dialogue and genuine chemistry among the actors. Each character feels distinct and fully realized, from the earnest protagonist, Felix (played by Jay Chandrasekhar), to the eccentric members of his circle of friends. Their interactions are filled with clever banter and absurd situations that keep the audience engaged from start to finish.

Puddle Cruiser lacks the polished production values of mainstream comedies, its low-budget aesthetic adds to its indie charm. The cinematography captures the laid-back atmosphere of college life, with scenes ranging from dorm room hangouts to late-night escapades around campus. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of indie rock and alternative tunes, complements the film's vibe perfectly.

Despite its comedic focus, Puddle Cruiser also touches on deeper themes of friendship, identity, and the uncertainty of the future. Beneath the surface-level humor, there's a sense of authenticity that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the tumultuous transition from adolescence to adulthood.