The Slammin’ Salmon (2009/Anchor Bay Blu-ray + DVD)

 

Picture: B-/C+     Sound: B-/C+     Extras: C-     Feature: C-

 

 

The Broken Lizards have had their moments, but I always felt their humor would not be able to continue in the mode it was in for narrative filmmaking unless they changed course and in The Slammin’ Salmon (2009), they nearly reach the nadir of their work in a comedy about a dysfunctional restaurant (another comedy about another one?) run by an angry ex-boxer (Ving Rhames, whose character has the title as his nickname) who still wants to punch employees or anyone else who makes him mad.  The customers can be that angry too, as the opening sequence shows.

 

This is done as funny, but quickly becomes a one-note fiasco that is never funny to begin with, actually has jokes we have heard before (and certainly insults that are long played out and, as you would expect from them, ever vulgar), but this is miles away from Super Troopers (reviewed on Blu-ray elsewhere on this site) which mixed that approach with funny ideas.  Here, we get some energy with nowhere to go.  That is why you likely have not heard of it, so only diehard fans should bother.

 

The 1080i 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image looks like it was shot in digital HD video and has constant motion blur and an image that generally seems a little darker than it should be.  The anamorphically enhanced DVD is even softer, while the low-def format even covers the flaws a bit.  The PCM 5.1 mix on the Blu-ray is not harsh or shrill, but also shows the soundstage limits of the mix and recording quality of dialogue overall, but that is better than the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in both formats, which is even weaker.  Extras in both formats include two audio commentary tracks with the Broken Lizards gang and Hellish Kitchens featurette.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo