Quasi

These guys used to be comedy geniuses but this is truly a stinker of a film in all aspects. You can tell they are trying to homage and Americanize Monty Python in many ways with this and it absolutely fails. You can't take something that was already perfect and try to remold it to fit your own comedy groups image. Aside from that Steve Lemme who plays the main character Quasimodo seems to have modeled his entire character after Adam Sandler's in Little Nicky right down to the affected accent and mannerisms. This was such a disappointing film and there were no laugh out loud moments in it only a few dry chuckles. I was so let down by this and it's a sad day when one of the comedy greats put out a DOA flop.

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.

'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.

Simple story, nice movie, looks like they had fun making it. What else can you expect?

Of course people saw better movies, and Broken Lizard made different stuff in the past but hey, the important thing is that they can still work together after so many years.

I don't think it is the type of movie that makes you burst out laughing like Slamin' Salmon or Super Troopers, but it is still a concise story line that kept me on, entertaining enough with funny moments, and something quite important to think about: without a multimillion dollar budget and an tiresome amount of CGI.

I hope they keep putting things together and having fun creating things. God knows we need it!

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.