The Alternate Ending In Super Troopers That We're Glad Didn't Make The Cut

Throughout the history of pop culture, there have been a number of venerable comedy troupes to grace the big and small screen. From classics like the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges to imports like Monty Python and Kids in the Hall, to more modern groups like The Tenderloins (who may be better known as the "Impractical Jokers") and The Lonely Island, these groups have made legions of fans laugh out loud. Even the crew from "Jackass" have carved out a nice place for themselves in this category over the past two decades. But we mustn't forget about Broken Lizard.

Consisting of Colgate University grads Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske, Broken Lizard made their mark on a generation of people (especially the college crowd) with their cult classics "Super Troopers" and "Beerfest." Both films were filled with insanely quotable moments and bits that livened up any party. Over the years, I know that I've had my fair share of drinks from Das Boot or tried to play the meow game with my friends. But when it comes to their breakout film from 2001 about goofy highway patrol cops, it almost ended much differently than we all remember it.

Typically, this is the part where I would advocate for owning physical media over digital. One of the main arguments is because no one can erase your DVDs or Blu-rays from your collection without your knowledge (unless someone breaks into your house and robs you), but a bonus is all the great features that come on a physical disc. Interviews, trailers, and deleted scenes are just a few perks that enhance your movie collection. Although, when it comes to "Super Troopers," it's okay to skip the alternate ending clip found in the Special Features section. In this case, if you were to watch it, you could clearly see why it was left on the cutting room floor.

In the theatrical ending for "Super Troopers," Captain O'Hagen's ragtag group of state troopers solve Spurbury's rampant drug problem when they uncover the local police department's involvement with the smugglers. However, despite their best efforts, the governor still decides to close their station. Three months later, we catch up with Rabbit and Ramathorn as they deliver a keg of St. Anky Beer to the three kids that they arrested at the beginning of the movie. Initially shocked to see the officers at their doorstep, these underage drinkers start teasing Thorny and his rookie when they learn that the deliverymen are no longer state troopers. But just as the jokes reach a crescendo, the St. Anky uniforms come off to reveal Spurbury PD uniforms. Mac, Foster, Farva, and Ursula walk in as the party disperses. And as the credits roll, the newly minted cops crack open the keg and kick it with the trio of youngsters.

However, in scrapped ending, we don't get the fun callback to the film's opening or all the hilarious gags that unfold as the credits roll. Instead, the time jump picks up with Ramathorn, Foster, Mac, and Rabbit working at a Pork-Rite meat packing plant. The four former Vermont state troopers begrudgingly pack boxes on the assembly line. In an attempt to maintain their trademark sense of humor, Foster is surprised to find a severed hand in one of the boxes. As Rabbit holds up the "bloody" forearm where his hand used to be, Mac exaggeratedly gestures that he cut it off, which makes their friends chuckle. The laughter is short-lived because their boss comes in and demands that they prepare some barrels of expired meat to be distributed to their customers. When Foster questions the order due to the tainted meat, the foreman makes an outdated reference to famed "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace. The funny foursome reply, "Oh baby, even better." That's when they take off their Pork-Rite uniforms to reveal their Spurbury PD gear and pursue the perps around the factory before being joined by Ursula and Farva.

Yeah, that's not as great of an ending. Luckily, director Jay Chandrasekhar and company revised it before it hit theaters. Even though it's basically the same joke, the final product just works better all around. They punched up the initial joke by bringing the whole movie around full circle to catch up with the kids played by Andre Vippolis, Joey Kern, and Geoffrey Arend, which was an opportunity that was too good to pass up. It goes even further since this whole ordeal with disguises, a truck, and cover stories was put into motion because of a little noise complaint.

At the end of the day, the alternate ending is fine, but it doesn't elicit the same laughter from the audience as they're leaving the theater (or taking the disc out of their player at home). The ending of "Super Troopers" that we've come to know and love sends the crowd home happy. And if not home, maybe to their local breakfast spot for some maple syrup and a liter of cola.