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Simply A Masterpiece

Pretty Good

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

The Broken Lizard team aren't one for conventional plots, and The Slammin' Salmon - set entirely in a restaurant - is no exception. In fact, almost the entire film takes place over the course of one evening, and most of the dramatic tension centers around waiters competing with one another for a bigger paycheck. It sounds implausible, but they pull it off pretty well, by making great characters, then relying on them to entertain us.If you've seen Super Troopers, Beerfest, or Club Dread, you'll know what to expect. The characters are likable, memorable, and generally well conceived. And just like all their other films, they all could generally have used some more character development. Is it just me, or do Jay Chandrasekhar's characters never get enough screen time?Unfortunately, Slammin' Salmon contains even more slapstick than their past works, and it really brings down the overall tone of the film. We're not watching you for slapstick! We want more awkward tension, more wit, and more character development.They also moved across the jokes too quickly. The writers really set up some very funny situations, and then move on without capitalizing on them. For example, they set up a humorous interracial relationship between Cleon's sister and Rich, but spent literally only a minute on it before moving on and never returning to it. Take the time to develop your jokes! Imagine the potential dialogue there, between Cleon, his sister, and Rich. We'll never know.When it comes down to it, Slammin' Salmon is funny. If you go into the movie wanting to hate it, Michael Clarke Duncan will make you laugh anyway. I just think that we could expect more out of these guys.

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.

Restaurateur and retired Heavy-Weight champion Cleon 'Slammin' Salmon (Michael Clarke Duncan) threatens and beats his wait staff into up-selling their customers so that they can earn 20 grand in one evening to pay off his gambling debt. As the stakes are continually raised, so too are the antics that ensue as each waiter tries to outdo one another, earn the ten thousand dollar cash prize, or save themselves from a brutal beating - while all anxiously await the passing of a diamond ring the manager had swallowed.This is an enjoyable edition to Broken Lizards filmography. Like their other films, The Slammin' Salmon features excellent, quirky, and weird characters, and an outlandish plot. Here one can also see and appreciate the group's maturity as there is more situational humor, far less shtick, and relatively little scatological humor as compared to their previous films. This is also Kevin Heffernen's amicable debut as a director.The Slammin' Salmon has fairly good pacing, though it does slow down at times, there are still lots of laugh out loud moments throughout the piece. Of course the true strength of this movie is in the writing and performances. As per usual, the Lizards play a host of characters with personality flaws galore, such as 'Zongo' the OCD/Schizophrenic waiter; or Donnie the alcoholic bus boy with low self esteem. These quirky characters are joined by great performances form Michael Clarke Duncan as 'the champ', April Bowlby as the upbeat 'little train that could' waitress, to the always level-headed Tara, played by Cobie Smulders.This film could have used a better soundtrack, which had been a staple in other Lizard productions. Although they did write a humorous take off of "The Eye of the Tiger" which is featured during the credits. I also found the scenes in the kitchen and waiter prep area to be altogether unbelievable. Though I've not worked as a cook or a waiter, I've scene the frenetic goings on in the kitchen and prep areas, just passing by on the way to the restroom. They didn't capture that feel nor fully capitalize on this norm as these scenes are most always calm and free of frenzy. This, I believe is one major element that makes the film slow down.I enjoyed the film. And a fan of the Broken Lizard troupe, I agree with others that it is not as good as Super Troopers. However, with a piece such as great as that, it will be difficult for them to ever match it. An excellent comedy, well worth watching.

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.