The Slammin' Salmon

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.

Great movie for fans of broken lizard. They were great together as always. It is a must watch.

I really want to like Broken Lizard's movies, Super Troopers is one of the best comedies I have ever seen, but none of their subsequent movies even comes close to matching it. In The Slammin' Salmon the waitstaff of a high end seafood restaurant compete against each other to win $10,000 for selling the most food in one night. The eccentric former heavyweight boxer turned restaurant owner (Michael Clark Duncan) is amusing throughout the movie, as are the waitstaff themselves, but only for the last 40 min or so of the film. The big problem with The Slammin' Salmon is that it takes too long to really get going. Its not until the waitstaff finally get fired up about the contest and start sabotaging each other the film becomes truly funny. It's not a bad movie, and it is pretty funny at times, but it really could have been so much better.

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.