Quasi

I should preface this by saying I'm a diehard Broken Lizard fan. As always, I was eagerly anticipating this movie. I recently heard Jay Chandrasekhar say on a podcast that they wrote this film maybe 20+ years ago, but hadn't felt like there was a market for it, until the opportunity presented itself through the pandemic. They were able to utilize an existing crew from a little TV show called Tacoma FD (a side project of Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme's), and I appreciate it even more for the integrity that went into making it. The fact that they found a way to help their colleagues continue working and make a living in an insecure time is just really awesome. Having said that, the movie itself goes down a different path than what we're used to from the group, but it's absolutely true to form. I find it fascinating how versatile they are, and it is one of the reasons why I love all of the guys together, and apart.

If you're not a Broken Lizard super fan, not to worry. There is plenty of fun to be had as a part timer or even a first timer, so long as you're not opposed to period pieces with silly accents, randomly placed bathroom jokes, and cheesy, absurd and sometimes painful, humor. The influence of Monty Python is definitely a major player here, and if you dig those fine chaps' work, well, you'll certainly dig Quasi.

I've always been a pretty big fan of Broken Lizard, going all the way back to Super Troopers, and since then have seen all of their films. My personal favorite is Club Dread, but I find them all to be fun, care-free movies. Quasi is no different. It's fun and care-free. There are a few really good gags and ad-libbed lines, with the expected great chemistry of its core group, each of whom take on multiple roles. Steve Lemme steals this one as the titular Quasimodo as well as the small role of a terrible jester who keeps getting punished in ridiculous ways. It's not a masterpiece, nor is it even a top 3-4 of BL, it's just nice to have fun with a movie that, at no point, takes itself seriously. I would put this one in line with Slammin Salmon in terms of actual laugh out loud moments, but there are so many small moments that, while not making me laugh, brought a smile to my face. If you like Broken Lizards previous films, you'll probably like this too, but if you didn't, you'll, honestly, hate it.

'Quasi', the imaginative retelling of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, features Steve Lemme as the title character, Quasi Modo - a torturer who grew up in the clock tower. Through a series of events, Quasi and his friend Duchamp (Kevin Heffernan) attempt to create an equal France by way of getting oysters for the peasants, and in doing so, is face the ire of King Guy (Jay Chandrasekhar) and Pope Cornelius (Paul Soter).

The film is made with the crew from Broken Lizard and has most of the elements that make their films funny, but falls short. The script is a bit lackluster, but the flow is decent. It's worth a few laughs and is amusing, but not their greatest work.

Worth a once over.

It's a silly comedy from the makers of Super Troopers. I laughed out loud a few times and was entertained enough to get through it. It's a retelling of the life of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, without Notre Dame.

These guys from Broken Lizard usually make decent comedies, and they hit par on this. Don't be uptight, just enjoy it for what it is. There are some good references and some childish French bashing, as well as, some playful sexual humor.

Production values are passable and direction executed soundly. Could it be funnier? Sure, but I was never bored watching it. It's streaming on Hulu.

Broken Lizard strikes again with a movie that could have been perfect comedy wise, but I feel it fell a little short for me.

The plot is Quasi and his hut mate work at the torture house in their village. When Quasi wins the lotto things start to get interesting.

The characters and acting in the film were good, but I feel like they tried a little to hard to be Monty Python in this one. I understand that was the influence, but I wish it was a little more of their own style. The jokes were kind of tired at times, and it didn't really have the feel of a Broken Lizard film in my opinion.

The movie itself is decent, and I would watch anything these guys make. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes comedy to watch it at least once.