‘Super Troopers’ at 25: A quarter-century of mustaches and maple syrup — and a new film - AP News

‘Super Troopers’ at 25: A quarter-century of mustaches and maple syrup — and a new film

Producers and actors of “Super Troopers 3" discuss their evolution as filmmakers, their long friendship and what they want to achieve with the R-rated comedy franchise. (July 29)

Cast members, from left, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, Jay Chandrasekhar and Eric Stolhanske pose for a portrait to promote the film “Super Troopers 3" on Monday, July 27, 2026, in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows, from left, Nat Faxon, Kevin Heffernan, Jay Chandrasekhar, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Andrew Dismukes, and Erik Stolhanske from the film “Super Troopers 3.” (Patrick Harbron/Searchlight Pictures via AP)

This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows, from left, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Brian Cox, Kevin Heffernan, Jay Chandrasekhar, Andrew Dismukes, and Erik Stolhanske from the film “Super Troopers 3.” (Patrick Harbron/Searchlight Pictures via AP)

Director/cast member Jay Chandrasekhar, center, poses for a portrait with fellow cast members, from left, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Eric Stolhanske and Steve Lemme to promote the film “Super Troopers 3" on Monday, July 27, 2026, in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

NEW YORK (AP) — A quarter of a century is a long time for mustache rides and syrup binges, but “Super Troopers” has gotten a lot of mileage out of the simple joys of friends goofing around.

The comedy troupe Broken Lizard, a group of college buddies who began performing together at Colgate University, broke through with 2001’s “Super Troopers.” Made for less than $3 million, the movie cast Jay Chandrasekhar (who directed), Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske as a group of juvenile Vermont state troopers. A then-Emmy-less Brian Cox played their cantankerous chief.

The movie became an unlikely cult hit, making many times over what it made in theaters ($23 million) on VHS and DVD. Roger Ebert begrudgingly called it “the kind of movie that makes you want to like it.”

Not all movies look like they were fun to make, but “Super Troopers” did. For Broken Lizard, the difference between the movie and the blooper reel is almost nonexistent. It’s like they’re living out the dream of every group of funny college pals.

“We talk about that being almost like the special sauce in the movies. You can’t fake 30 years of friendship. Even the best actors can’t do it,” Soter says before his fellow members make him question that declaration.

“OK, maybe Al Pacino could fake it.”