Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland

Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland is an audaciously comedic sports film full of wild escapades and over-the-top party culture typically related to the American collegiate landscape. Released in 2016, this crowd-funded movie serves as the enthralling continuation to the popular comedy television series 'Blue Mountain State'. The film boasts a star-studded cast led by Alan Ritchson, Darin Brooks, and James Cade, who all reprise their roles from the original series.

The movie picks up from where the TV series left off. We are reintroduced to the raucous world of Blue Mountain State, a fictional university known just as much for its wild antics off the field as its accomplishments on it. The primary focus lies on the university's football team, 'The Mountain Goats', and their zealous journey in tackling the challenges that both collegiate sports and university life throw at them.

Alan Ritchson stars as Thad Castle, the former captain of the football team who has since graduated and moved onto a successful career in the professional NFL league. He is renowned for his outrageously hilarious and often absurd antics, a persona Ritchson carries forward into the film with an undeniably infectious energy. The plot is mainly centered around Thad and his extravagant desires, with the title 'Thadland' representing an outrageous concept in itself.

Darin Brooks returns as the brooding Alex Moran, the reluctant quarterback who prefers the carefree party lifestyle of a backup player as compared to the demanding responsibilities of being a starter. He is our relatable and surprisingly grounded anchor in this frenzied world. James Cade fills the role of Harmon Tedesco, the team's kicker who is known for his peculiarly dim-witted yet comedic personality.

The film's premise sets throttle when the beloved Goat House, known for hosting the team's legendary debaucheries, faces the threat of being sold off by the university to real estate developers. This crisis unites our characters for one big mission - to save their cherished sanctuary from this impending doom. For this, they see only one solution, to turn to the one person who could possibly save them - Thad Castle.

With his newfound NFL wealth, Thad is their last hope, but getting him onboard requires negotiating with his notoriously whimsical and unpredictable nature. He agrees to aid them, on one condition: they have to fulfill his childhood dream by transforming the Goat House into 'Thadland', an absolute paradise of unlimited debauchery and excess.

As the gang sets out on this outrageous endeavor, the film evolves into a trippy, surrealistic riot that only amplifies the audacity that Blue Mountain State is renowned for. Director Lev L. Spiro skillfully amps up the humor quotient, eliciting infectious laughter through absurdity and chaos. Meanwhile, writers Eric Falconer and Romanski take the humor a step further, infusing the script with plenty of sarcastic one-liners and well-timed jokes, reminiscent of the comedy gold that made the original TV series such a hit.

Despite being rooted in sports, the actual showcasing of football barely forms a crux of the film. Instead, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland is more a burlesque exploration of the boisterous off-field lives of these collegiate athletes. The movie lays bare the uninhibited side of college life, amplifying it to an almost cartoonish degree. It's an unabashed and outlandish trip through and through, with no shortage of humor, raunchiness, and wistful college nostalgia.

The ensemble cast absolutely nails their respective performances, embodying their characters with equal parts vivacity, ridiculousness, and charm. They come together to reflect the lively spirit of the reckless, occasionally questionable, but always entertaining, rollicking ride that is Blue Mountain State.

In essence, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland is an absolute must-watch for fans of the series. It keeps the spirit of the show alive, revisiting the wild, hilarious, and often outrageous experiences of the Blue Mountain State University football team while significantly raising the bar for audacious humor. But even for those previously unacquainted with the show, the movie provides a standalone spectacle of outrageous laughter and undiluted fun, a real treat for those who enjoy sports comedies with a side of hedonistic college debauchery.