With a title that insures against accusations of false advertising, BEERFEST is a raunchy and genial amalgamation of ANIMAL HOUSE, STRANGE BREW, FIGHT CLUB, and every clichéd sports film ever made. Written by and starring comedy troupe Broken Lizard (SUPER TROOPERS, CLUB DREAD) and directed by Lizard member Jay Chandrasekhar, the film is unapologetically sophomoric, never missing a chance for a belch, flatulence, bared breasts, or Cloris Leachman doing lewd things with a sausage. After the death of their bar-owning German grandfather (Donald Sutherland), Jan (Paul Soter) and Todd (Erik Stolhanske) Wolfhouse must travel to Munich to scatter his ashes. Fortunately for them, it's Oktoberfest, but the brothers aren't there very long before they embarrass themselves at a public celebration and find themselves at Beerfest, an annual international underground beer-guzzling competition. When they compete, they are disgraced by their German cousins, the Von Wolfhausens--headed by father Jurgen Prochnow--who claim that the Wolfhouses' late grandfather stole a beer recipe from them many years before. Jan and Todd return home to train for next year's competition, incorporating into their team a few old college pals--male prostitute Barry (Chandrasekhar), burly Landfill (Kevin Heffernan), and science nerd Fink (Steve Lemme).
For BEERFEST to work, it's imperative that viewers find humor in exaggerated German accents. Cloris Leachman appears to be enjoying throwing all comic caution to the wind, and Prochnow gets to lampoon DAS BOOT in a funny sequence. Big, sloppy, and ridiculous--compliments in this case--all apply to the third Broken Lizard feature, which is sure to burp its way into every fraternity house film library until the world ends.
HD Features:
Widescreen 2.35
Audio:
5.1 DDP English
5.1 DDP French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Jay Chandrasekhar and Steve Lemme discuss the finer points of drinking games and answer their critics.
Beer 101 History Lesson: The animated history of beer taught by director Jay Chandrasekhar and the lizards.
2. Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske share their behind-the-scenes buzz.
Deleted Scenes: 1. Jay Chandrasekhar and Steve Lemme, and
2. Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske
Featurette: Rule #1... Everyone who has consumed has committed a party foul. Filmmakers reveal the most egregious mishaps from the set and beyond.
Interviews: With the Flog Fluffer - meet the man behind the green goo.
Stars
Erik Stolhanske: Actor, SUPER TROOPERS (2001)
Paul Soter: Actor, SUPER TROOPERS (2001)
Will Forte: Actor, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (2004)
Ralf Mueller: Star, BEERFEST, (2006)
Eric Christian Olsen: Star, THE LAST KISS (2006)
Jürgen Prochnow: German Actor
Cloris Leachman: Phyllis of TV's "Phyllis" & "Mary Tyler Moore Show"
Nat Faxon: Star, BEERFEST, (2006)
Gunter Schlierkamp: Fitness Instructor
Donald Sutherland: Canadian Actor
Willie Nelson: American Singer/Songwriter
Steve Lemme: Actor, SUPER TROOPERS (2001)
Director
Jay Chandrasekhar: Actor, BEHIND THE SUN (2001)
Producer
Bill Gerber: Producer, AMERICAN OUTLAWS (2001)
Richard Perello: Producer, SUPER TROOPERS (2001)
Screenwriter
Kevin Heffernan:
Erik Stolhanske: Actor, SUPER TROOPERS (2001)
Composer
Nathan Barr: Composer
Editor
Lee Haxall: Editor, BEERFEST (2006)
Director of Photography
Clark Hunter: Production Designer
Director of Photography
Frank DeMarco:
Executive Producer
Michael Buegg: Producer, BEERFEST, (2006)
Executive Producer
Thomas Tull: Executive Producer, SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)
Executive Producer
William Fay:
Production Designer
Clark Hunter: Production Designer
Costume Designer
Tricia Gray: Costume Designer, BEERFEST (2006)
Review 1:
"It's R-rated puerility for actual immature grown-ups....Bet on this: These guys did their own stunts." -- Grade: B+
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.54 09/01/2006