Paw Patrol Delivers Solid Fun While Super Troopers 3 Stumbles

Aspen —The scent of buttered popcorn hangs heavy in the air, a familiar comfort that usually signals the start of something good. But lately, walking into the local theater on the Western Slope feels less like an escape and more like a negotiation between childhood nostalgia and adult exhaustion. This week, that tension plays out in two very different ways, depending on whether you are dragging a six-year-old or trying to salvage your dignity in the dark.

For families with little ones, "Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie" is exactly what it promises to be. If you have a child of the appropriate age, you likely already know the drill: a group of dogs with emergency-services jobs helping people and learning life lessons. It’s anti-cat, pro-cop, and filled with transforming vehicles that gleam under the projector’s light. The tone remains consistent across the series, and this latest installment feels like a gentle step above standard cartoon fare.

Feinsinger wrote in the Vail Daily that while the movie won’t convert those who aren't already fans, it offers a surprisingly lovely message about disability representation. The dogs are joined by new characters who show that disabled people can be cool adventurer types, a detail that lands with warmth rather than pity. The story unfolds like one of the early "Jurassic Park" sequels, with our youthful heroes ending up on an island full of nice, vegetarian dinosaurs. The real antagonist is a recurring enemy stealing a large diamond, keeping the action scenes brisk and the stakes clear. It’s two stars out of four — a solid, reliable choice for a Saturday morning.

Then there is "Super Troopers 3," which feels less like a movie and more like old, badly reheated leftovers. Twenty-five years after the first film and eight years after the second, the Broken Lizard comedy troupe has returned to mindlessly repeat their old frat-boy antics. Watching fifty-something actors stumble through a plot about sabotage and wedding drama feels like watching people who forgot they were supposed to be funny.

The film adds a host of offensive Indian stereotypes to its mix of low humor, with jokes that fly thick and fast but often land like lead weights. Even if you chuckle once or twice, the barrage of bad jokes sweeps it away quickly. Feinsinger noted that when a recent "Jackass" movie has more interesting things to say, it’s time for the comedy troupe to pack it in. It’s not that the humor is entirely absent, but it lacks the idiotic charm of the earlier entries.

So, what does this mean for your Tuesday evening? If you’re looking for a safe bet that respects your child’s intelligence while respecting your wallet, "Paw Patrol" is worth the drive. But if you’re hoping for a night of genuine laughter with "Super Troopers 3," you might find yourself checking your watch more than the screen. The lights come up, and you’re left with the quiet hum of the lobby, wondering which movie truly spoke to you.