4.01.2009

The Specials (2000) mini review

superhero movie not based on a comic
[8/10]


The Specials.


The 6th or 7th best superhero team in the world.

The best superhero movie you've never seen.

Jamie Gunn, the genius writer behind the Scooby Doo live action films, crafts a witty superhero comedy, so funny that you don't even realize the heroes don't use their powers in the film.

The Strobe (Thomas Haden Church, Spider-Man 3, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight). Amok (Jamie Kennedy, Son of the Mask). The Weevil (Rob Lowe). Minute Man (James Gunn). Power Chick (Kelly Cofield). Ms. Indestructible (Paget Brewster). Nightbird (Jordan Ladd). Deadly Girl (Judy Greer). U.S. Bill (Mike Schwartz). Alien Orphan (Sean Gunn). Mr. Smart (Jim Zulevic). VIII.

These are The Specials. Whether fighting supervillains like the deadly Anal Slug, or just fighting amongst themselves, The Specials are a different breed of superhero. It's fascinating to delve into their personal lives and see how they interact every day. Yes, this is a comedy with some fantastic elements; yes, these people are superheroes. But there's something about movies like this that you can relate to on a human level. Sometimes, even when you're a superhero, life isn't always how you want it to be.

Special trivia. Jenna Fischer makes a cameo; she may have been married to James Gunn at the time. Melissa Joan Heart (Sunlight Grrrl) has done a lot of voice work, including Saturn Girl on Superman: The Animated Series, and Dee Dee on Batman Beyond. Samantha Cannon, one of VIII, also appeared in Hancock.


See it if you want to see a hilarious superhero comedy.

Don't see it if you can't handle a lot of language; Jamie Kennedy's character is a bit "blue". Ha!

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