Boasted as a movie from the creators of Super Troopers, which I consider one of the worst movies of all time, I had no expectations for Club Dread at all, but I was swayed just a little bit by the fact that what made Super Troopers horrible was absent from this one, but that couldn’t necessarily save it.
Club Dread is about a group of partiers that head out to Pleasure Island, Costa Rica for a week long getaway to Coconut Pete’s Pleasure Island where the only rule is to have fun as it even comes equipped with its very own Fun Police.
The retreat is run by the washed-up pop star Coconut Pete (Bill Paxton), who lays claim to all the songs that became popular in the 70s, especially ” Piña Colada-burg” which he claims Jimmy Buffet stole and turned into “Margarittaville”. But Pete’s spirit is soon crushed as bodies start piling up on the island and his staff is the targeted victims.
Club Dread is a sex filled comedy/horror flick that is a good break from reality, but not necessarily worth the price of full admission. While fans of Super Troopers will definitely be impressed and laugh the whole way through, others will be slightly amused to the point where this film is a better rental than it is a theater visit.
Hoping to attract an audience based on the name “Broken Lizard” and the promise of bare breasts this film falls into the same pitfalls as those before it. While it is not afraid to let the blood fly, this film constantly sends reminders that it is supposed to be a comedy flick, but the humor falls short, just as it did in Super Troopers.
Good writing makes a film, not bare breasts and blood, if you want that stuff rent a “real” horror film or even a porno if that is your preference, but Club Dread doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
The only reason this would make for a good visit to theater is if you are looking for something a little light-hearted, but I know if I had paid anything for this one I would have been disappointed. So if you are a fan of Broken Lizard’s other productions, or even can imagine Nightmare on Elm Street with slapstick mixed in then this is for you, but otherwise save your cash.
