The Slammin' Salmon

I'll admit that I'm a huge Broken Lizard fan, I have seen all of their films and even have an appreciation for the relatively unfunny Club Dread. For me, this is just a fun-loving group of comedians that love to make their audience laugh, or at least try their damnedest. I had the pleasure of attending the Canadian premiere of the "Slammin' Salmon" in Montreal recently and the Broken Lizard troupe was there to meet and greet the fans and answer questions after the movie. They are true class acts and friendly guys. While I won't give away any specific jokes I will say that from a fan's perspective, this is their second funniest film, with Supertroopers of course being the cult favourite. So yes, it is an improvement on Beerfest; the Slammin' Salmon is just straight up funnier. As for regular movie-goers and comedy fans, I highly recommend this film. It was produced with a low budget during the writers' strike, so without a big studio production, it has the fast pacing of a stage show. The focus in this movie is on the JOKES... which is something refreshing to see in a comedy; less emphasis on character development and a complex plot, but more emphasis on keeping the audience consistently laughing. The humour is low brow at times, but is also clever and well-timed, there are many quick one-liners so pay sharp attention to this fast paced comedy, enjoy!

While people are going to INSTANTLY compare this to Super Troopers on how it doesn't reach that standard (easily the funniest and most quotable movie of their repertoire) and while it is slow in the beginning, the movie easily has you laughing with the absurdness. Each character is flushed out well enough for the movie's purposes, and each gives you the right laughs at the right moments. Quotable, outlandish, and insane. A mix of Waiting meets Glengarry Glenross meets...well...Super Troopers. However, if this STILL hasn't won you over, there is one sole reason to see this movie:

Michael F***in' Clarke Duncan.

HOLY hell did he have fun with this script. His character of the Champ has the BEST lines of the whole movie, and I almost wonder how much was scripted and how much is just him going off the chain. Best lines of the movie:

(while admiring his sister's triplets) "Look at the little babies! Hey, it's Uncle Cleon. Damn, they all look the same. What did you do, f**k a Xerox machine?"

(to Japanese translator) "How do you say 'motherf***er' in Spanish?"

and my personal favorite— "You know what ten grand feels like in your pocket? It feels like a third c*ck."

Seriously, get some beers, grab some friends, and watch this movie. It's good times.

The latest effort by the comic troupe known as Broken Lizard, "The Slammin' Salmon" is a fitfully amusing comedy set in an upscale seafood restaurant in Miami owned and operated by a flamboyant ex-boxer known as - what else? - The Slammin' Salmon (delightfully played by Michael Clarke Duncan). To pay off a gambling debt, the boss sets up a competition among his staff of waiters and waitresses to see who can bring in the most money in a 24-hour period. Chaos and mayhem ensue.

As directed by Kevin Heffernan (who also appears, alongside his fellow Broken Lizard writers and actors, as one of the waiters), "The Slammin' Salmon" is not the most sophisticated or highbrow comedy you'll ever see, but its breezy style and high-energy performances go a long way towards making something uniquely unhinged and genuinely fun out of the material. Despite all the crazy antics, the movie never has to strain too hard to get its laughs, and even when the jokes clatter to the floor - as they are wont to do from time to time - the cast is always there to pick up the pieces and run with them.

A few well-known faces - Will Forte, Vivica A. Fox and Morgan Fairchild - also stop by to add to the laughs.

I love Broken Lizard, and I always end up watching their films multiple times. It will be no different for Slammin' Salmon. The plot is obvious, but it's simply there to set-up some jokes. Heffernan takes a shot at directing and he's talented enough to serve the script. Unlike other Broken Lizard films, the characters have an absolutely equal share of screen-time, there's no obvious protagonist. Cobie Smulders and Michael Clarke Duncan add some extra comedic chops, and it's nice to see some of the supporting regulars around. If you're looking for a strong plot or painful belly laughs, I doubt you'll be satisfied. But, if you like gentler laughs and well strung together sketches. I have a feeling this will be a grower.

As indicated, this movie won't be for everyone; that said, few movies are, particularly in the realm of comedy.

In any case, for those of us who enjoy Broken Lizard's other films, this movie is sure to impress. Indeed, it has all their hallmarks: amusing, witty, even absurd dialogue; hilarious ensemble scenes; wonderful character/cameo performances; and an incredibly funny blooper reel during the end credits.

And, as others have indicated, Michael Clark Duncan's performance is classic -- just awesome. And to be sure, the two female leads are both great, as well (and quite easy on the eye, it must be said ;).

At any rate, as the title of this review indicates, I have no doubt that some people will criticize this film; but for me, it's classic Broken Lizard, and I think that's a great thing! Peace.