The film has a lot of the classic Broken Lizard style to it but is lacking just enough high-quality humor to cause scenes to drag slightly from one to the other.
Most of the story has been done before in one way or another (it's the classic "destined hero from peasant" story), but the production design, costumes, and style are surprisingly good. That said, this story could have been told entirely without the hunchback angle because all that did for the movie was let people make mediocre jokes about how ugly he is. I would've preferred more clever uses for his condition than just him being ugly.
Kevin Heffernan does a great job directing, and all of the Broken Lizard cast is here in at least one role. The real winners here are the King (Jay Chandrasekhar) and the Pope (Paul Soter), but especially the Pope! Everything these two said had me cracking up and I wish there was even more. There were also some pretty good gags that ran through the whole movie (like the guy who always chants "oysters!" one too many times).
It's lacking something, maybe a final polish or a more relateable main character? I would definitely say it needs some cutting, just tighten up the pacing a little, there's room to cut down from 100 minutes to 90 minutes.
Overall I'd say the movie has some redeeming qualities and I'm not upset that I watched it but, unlike Beerfest or Super Troopers, I probably won't be watching it again.
Most of the story has been done before in one way or another (it's the classic "destined hero from peasant" story), but the production design, costumes, and style are surprisingly good. That said, this story could have been told entirely without the hunchback angle because all that did for the movie was let people make mediocre jokes about how ugly he is. I would've preferred more clever uses for his condition than just him being ugly.
Kevin Heffernan does a great job directing, and all of the Broken Lizard cast is here in at least one role. The real winners here are the King (Jay Chandrasekhar) and the Pope (Paul Soter), but especially the Pope! Everything these two said had me cracking up and I wish there was even more. There were also some pretty good gags that ran through the whole movie (like the guy who always chants "oysters!" one too many times).
It's lacking something, maybe a final polish or a more relateable main character? I would definitely say it needs some cutting, just tighten up the pacing a little, there's room to cut down from 100 minutes to 90 minutes.
Overall I'd say the movie has some redeeming qualities and I'm not upset that I watched it but, unlike Beerfest or Super Troopers, I probably won't be watching it again.