Rating: Summary: This movie was not very good Review: Like a previous review for Mystery Men said, "this is not a movie for film snobs." Anyone out there who has not grown up appreciating comic book heroes and such would definitely not enjoy this film. It's one of those movies that serves as mindless entertainment with no brilliant plot twists or mind-bending special effects. This movie does not stimulate the mind at all. If anything, it serves knock some points off your IQ. I definitely felt more stupid after watching this movie. To give you an example, I''ll note the movie "What Dreams May Come" starring Robin Williams. This movie was a veritable feast for the eyes: the cinematography was so breath-taking that if you looked at a scene too long you literally would forget to breathe. The scenery and cgi were absolutely beautiful. However, the story seriously lacked creativity, it was horribly depressing, and it just plain stunk. It was kind of like smelling a rose and getting stung by a bee. This is the pretty much the same impression Mystery Men left me with. Great sets and costumes, bad story. The only good parts of this movie consist of three things: the nice sets, the Sphinx's "formulaic" cliches, and Paul Reuben's depiction of the Spleen. He was pretty funny. If you like comic book heroes and pure action, you'll love this film. If you like movies which stimulate your mind and are brilliantly artistic and filled with break-through ideas, then you will think this movie stinks.
Rating: Summary: Step Aside, "Rocky Horror..." Review: Play it straight, and they will laugh; the credo of director Kinka Usher and a superb cast that propels "Mystery Men" to the status of #1 cult movie of all time. When the evil Casanova Frankenstein (Geoffrey Rush) is released from a mental institution and threatens to take over Champion City after capturing the local superhero, Captain Amazing (Greg Kinnear), a trio of wannabe superheroes, Mr. Furious (Ben Stiller), The Shoveler (William H. Macy) and The Blue Raja (Hank Azaria), come to the rescue. Before confronting such a formidable opponent, however (Frankenstein is joined by a myriad assortment of underworld denizens), they realize that more help is needed and decide to recruit. Soon they are joined by The Invisible Boy (Kel Mitchell), The Spleen (Paul Reubens), The Bowler (Janeane Garofalo) and a heavy hitter from down South, The Sphinx (Wes Studi). The result is a brilliant ensemble piece that delivers the goods without ever patronizing the audience, playing it straight at all times. Witty dialogue, exemplary performances (especially by Stiller, Garofalo and Macy), and a number of absolutely hilarious scenes make this an instant classic. The solid supporting cast includes Lena Olin (Dr. Annabel Leek), Eddie Izzard (Tony P.), Tom Waits (Doc Heller), Claire Forlani (Monica), Louise Lasser (The Blue Raja's mother), Jenifer Lewis (Lucille) and Pras (Tony C.). "Mystery Men" is a truly inspired film, laced with subtle humor that will keep you laughing and thinking about it for a long time. This is a movie that can be seen time and again, with a new chuckle to be gleaned with every viewing, guaranteed. For a good time and a lot of laughs, treat yourself to this masterwork of comedy; you'll soon discover it's the real deal, and you won't regret it. In the immortal words of The Sphinx: "We are number one! All others are number two, or lower-"
Rating: Summary: The most utter deadpan silliness! Review: If you like sick jokes, if Spaceballs and Airplane made you laugh in spite of yourself, if you can simultaneously groan in agony at the badness of a joke and yet have to laugh, this one's for you! If you're not in the right mood, or just can't handle the sickness of it all, it will fall flat as a pancake. The characters are so bad they are great. There's the Blue Rajah (dressed in green), the Master of Cutlery, who practices hurling spoons and forks ("why don't you ever throw a knife?" another semi-super hero asks) with almost deadly accuracy in his bedroom while his mother chides him from outside the door. The Shoveler, who handles a shovel better than anybody, with his gleaming implement slung over his shoulder. Captain Furious, with his all-consuming rage, whose ancient grandmother orders him around at the family junkyard. The Spleen, who, due to a Gypsy's curse, farts with silent-but-deadly accuracy. Invisible Boy, who can only disappear when nobody is looking. And, of course, The Bowler, who has acerbic little conversations with her plastic-embedded father in the bowling ball bag throughout their adventures. The actors absolutely MAKE this picture. The perfect and delicate handling of the timing and delivery, the fabulous and believe-it-or-not believable characterizations, the subtly handled body english - it's FANTASTIC! If you are in the target zone, it is killingly funny. The actors must have had a wonderful time making this one. And Janeane Garofalo (a personal favorite) is perhaps the most telling character, as the one woman in the bunch. I loved it! Of course, this isn't deathless and classic subject material, so I can only go to a 4, but, beautifully done!
Rating: Summary: Hysterically Entertaining! Review: This was by far the funniest and most entertaining movie I've ever laid eyes upon! The cast was spectacular, the concept and plot was superb, and the comedy was awesome! I was pleasantly surprised after the first 10 minutes or so, originally thinking I wasn't going to enjoy it. Turns out, this has got to be one of my favorite movies. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a Monty Pythin fan. I mean, where else can you find a British fork-flinging Mama's boy and the Disco Boys in one movie? This is bound to be an instant cult classic!
Rating: Summary: Not for film snobs... Review: This movie is simply a flick you should relax and enjoy. I think it has a sweetness to it, that makes you really feel for the characters. They are 3 dimensional human beings. Personally, I found the Shoveler the most interesting for my own reasons. I loved how his interracial marriage was not made out to be a big deal, but normal everyday life. (mine certainly is). I also liked that the script pokes fun at the whole super-hero genre, but affectionately. I can hardly wait for it to come out on video, as my entire family loved it! As someone said, it's rare to see a movie these days that the whole family can enjoy.
Rating: Summary: Shockingly bad Review: I think a comic said it best at the roast of Ben Stiller's dad a few months ago when he said 'Mystery Men' was so bad he fired HIS agent after watching it. It might be worth noting that the cameras caught Stiller (the lead in 'MM') mouthing the words "I should have fired mine". Hey- I thought it was a great concept. A group of motley 'superheros' with useless powers complete with Batman-like sound effects and settings. Add a great cast and you have all the ingredients, right? Wrong - a hundred times wrong. You still need a decent script and director, folks, and 'MM' has neither. One reviewer boldly pointed out that those giving Mystery Men bad reviews can't see the movie for the superhero spoof that it is. That's not it - it's simply not a funny or entertaining flick no matter how you look at it. Don't get me wrong - the movie will provide laughs for the 13 and under group. The rest of the world should save their time and pass this movie up. You will thank me in spades...
Rating: Summary: Unfettered Entertainment Review: I'll be brief. I have been anxiously anticipating the release of this movie for home viewing because I refuse to give in to the urge to spend another nickel in order to rent it. This movie is intended to be entertaining, and it does not fail. I can appreciate any movie my daughter and I can laugh at together, and believe me, we laughed a whole lot. As long as you don't forget that 'Mystery Men' is a movie, not a film, you're going to enjoy it very much.
Rating: Summary: Surprisingly Funny! Review: It's a deliciously different and off-beat comedy. Very silly at times, but still very funny. It pokes fun at the "Super-Hero" comic world that we've all grown up reading. It also pokes fun on the way our society has gone ga-ga in placing ridiculous "super hero" and "god-like" status onto our favorite athlete, movie star, or singer. Ben Stiller plays the leader of a motley crew of self imposed super heroes. They must stop an evil super villain that's just been released from prison because the main hero has been captured and detained. They're everyday ordinary Joes without any real powers, but still they give it all they've got. And that's probably the most important message behind this movie, that we all can make a difference if we just try. I started watching this movie thinking I wasn't going to enjoy it, but in the end I was happily surprised to have liked it, alot! It was definitely different from the pack of movies that had came out in '99. I found that very, very refreshing.
Rating: Summary: Not as funny as the preview... Review: After seeing the preview for Mystery Men in the theater, I couldn't wait to see it. I'm a fan of Ms. Garofalo, and who can doubt the creative genius that is Hank Azaria... However, something intangible was glaringly absent from this movie. The classic excuses for being bad spring to mind: It was too long. The jokes didn't "click." The pace was too slow. Something... I can't say exactly what caused me to take this DVD out of the player and put it back in the case, but I will say that I grew tired of the movie before I made it to the end. Even though I had ample time to finish watching the movie, I returned it... unfinished to the video store... without a guilty conscious. My time, in my opinion, was better spent in other ways...
Rating: Summary: Destined to become a cult classic! Review: Opinions are like a**holes... everybody has one. Here's mine: I have to laugh at the bad reviews I read about this movie. It is as if the negative reviewers entirely missed the point with this film. It is meant to be corny, including dialog and sight gags that break no new ground. The beauty of the movie is that all this is done in a self mocking sort of way that is truly hillarious! The cast is very well chosen, with each member clearly having a blast doing this film. Add the great soundtrack and wonderfully crafted atmospheric theme music composed by Mark Mothersbaugh (of DEVO fame) and you have a movie that is great entertainment. Watch this film with Dolby 5.1 Surround for *excellent* sound and effects. With these thoughts in mind, watch this movie and you will be entertained!
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