Customer Reviews

The Specials

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

First of all, I didn't even know this movie existed, that's how low profile it was. I only managed to unearth it in a Blockbusters store, buried under some dvds on sale for $6. Having been a lifelong fan of superheroes, and finding the movie premise somewhat intriguing, I took a chance and bought it. And I'm glad I did.

First of all, this is not your average superhero comic book on cinema. If you pop this in your player, expecting a whiff of X-men type of action and carnage, you'll be hugely disappointed. This film more closely resembles Mystery Men in terms of its cynical, sad sack comedy and wicked digs at the superhero mythology. Mystery Men, if I recall, focused more on the personal foibles of the "heroes" than on actual superheroing. The Specials have even less action - in fact, it has NO action scenes. What it does, instead, is unfold a villain-free day-in-the-life of the Specials.

The plot, as such: The Specials are a bush-league, second-string superhero team, considered the 6th or 7th greatest superhero team around. The team comprises of 12 or 19 members (there is a superhero named 8 - one mind in 8 bodies) and is led by the preachy goody-goody Strobe (Thomas Haden Church). On the verge of getting their own line of Kosgro action figures, the supers fall prey to incessant bickering, which culminates in the break-up of the Specials. Now the disbanded members find themselves rudderless and must do some soul searching and decide on what they really want: go their own separate ways, or come to terms with each other and once more become Special.

This is a low budget film with a semi-indie feel. This flick is also a spoof. It has plenty of satiric elements. It's a "superhero" movie without many special effects (the few f/x we see are at the end, and, brother, do they suck!) But, it doesn't matter. The point never was about the gratuitous spectacular fight scenes, but, rather, the humanizing "behind-the-story" aspects of our masked vigilantes. This picture goes on to show that, underneath the trappings of the glossy superhero veneer, these gifted folks are still inevitably, fallibly human and definitely not error-proof. The viewer is witness to greed, rivalries, jealousies, an extramarital affair, and the misfit deportment of super-nerds, -idiots, and -weirdos. It also makes sense that if superheroes did exist, they'd try to rake in their share of commercial endorsements, corporate sponsorships, and news pub. That's the way of the world, love. Most supers, in my opinion, would strive to "get theirs."

I find the acting to be very good and appropriate for this genre spin. The three main leads (Church, Brewster, and Lowe) do their best with their roles. Church's the Strobe is self-righteous and humorless until he gets the shock of the night, and then sorta comes around. Paget Brewster (guest starred in tv's Friends) is the Strobe's discontented wife Emily (Ms. Indestructible). Paget puts real emotion into her portrayal, ably communicating Emily's dissatisfaction with life and then grief over her transgressions. I think Rob Lowe does credible work as Tony, the Weevil, the most charismatic and popular member of the team. I'll say this, I was semi-stunned with the choice and choice words the Weevil ends up with at the end of the film.

The supporting cast is all-around awesome: Judy Greer (13 Going on 30) as the snide, bitchy, yet faithful friend Deadly Girl; Sean Gunn as Doug, the very weird green alien orphan; Jamie Kennedy as the filthy-mouthed blue-hued ex-supervillain Amok; and Jordan Ladd as the sweet, naive Nightbird, the newest member imbued with dubious bird powers.

This movie has some funny bits in it, such as the Strobe freaking out after watching the tv promo spot of his team's line of toys, and slow thinker U.S. Bill showing new rookie Nightbird around the headquarters. Or the Strobe reminiscing with an ex-team mate: "How about the time we captured and drained the Amazing Blister?" But the bits I found funniest are the comments spat out by the profane Amok, who cusses with sailorlike regularity. He tells the touchy-feely Power Chick: "You're 12-stepping me to death, b***h!" To counteract that, look out for a touching, feel good scene involving dancing on a club stage.

The special features has 2 audio commentaries (one by writer/actor James Gunn and actress Paget Brewster, the other by director Craig Mazin, the producer, the visual effects supervisor, and again writer/actor James Gunn), deleted scenes, a Wedding Video, a trailer, and behind-the-scenes photos.

I had the great pleasure of seeing THE SPECIALS at a sneak preview with the cast and crew during the 2000 San Diego ComiCon. The preview audience of diehard comic book fans loved the movie. Since the preview, I have relentlessly hounded my friends and told them to see the movie if ever they got the chance. Now, at long last, THE SPECIALS is available on DVD. If you are a fan of comic books, superheroes and superhero films, order the DVD today. You will be glad you did. The plot is different from most superhero films and it is this difference that makes the film shine. Whereas most films deal with the hero or heroes facing a great evil menace, this film deals with the politics and personality conflicts of being part of the superhero community. Like MYSTERY MEN, the heroes are dysfunctional, but well-meaning. But in the end, MYSTERY MEN was still a heroes vs. villains movie. THE SPECIALS is not. It is a movie of heroes vs. their own natures. It manages somehow to be funny and poignant throughout the film. It is an excellent balance of thought provoking insight on superheroes and human nature and still manages to be incredibly funny. I have waited almost a year for this DVD. It was well worth the wait.

After watching this film, i have a new appreciation for maxi-pads, scurvy, and doughnuts.

If you enjoy seeing others in awkward uncomfortable social situations with minimal plot drama (think Napolean Dynamite), i think you'll like this movie too. I love this movie for it's dry documentary humor about a dysfunctional, family-ish super hero group. My sister who prefers intellectual humor & doesn't really like toilet jokes couldn't stop laughing in that shocked "oh my god, did they just say/do that?" kind of way. Plus, the commentary version added a whole new layer of perspective that enhanced my appreciation for the end result. I don't want to spoil anything but it is definately worth a rental to see. (one drawback though was a lack of subtitle options on my version)

It never ceases to amaze me how hung up people can be on their expectations. Folks see superheroes on the box cover, and when those superheroes fail to spend the film using their superpowers, it's negative review time.

The movie is absolutely hilarious, and I think it's a real shame that so many reviewers couldn't see past the lack of explosions to recognize this comedic gem.

I was pleasantly surprised by this hit with an Indie feel to it. The Specials are perhaps the 7th or 8th most popular super team in this world, and are just about to get their own toy line, the Oscars for superheroes. But troubles within the group threaten to tear them apart.

There were nearly no special effects in the film, save for a "group shot" feature at the end of the film. But the movie isn't about saving the day, it's about being real people, flaws and all, who happen to have superpowers. It reminded me of the failed "Justice League" pilot on tv. The members of the group are interviewed in one-on-one sessions with a camera (very Real World confessional) as we see one day in their lives. A new member joins the team, a retired super now using his abilities in the corporate world makes a job offer to The Specials' leader, two members of the group are having an affair, and it all comes to a head leaving the release of the action figure line in jeopardy.

The running time was just perfect for the movie, so the joke doesn't go on too long and the special features had some deleted scenes best left on the cutting room floor, but overall I enjoyed the movie and would definitely suggest it to any fan of both independent films and the comic book/superhero genre, but that doesn't need explosions, flying, webbing or cgi to make a good movie.

The movie: I saw this movie last year at the San Diego comic convention with a very enthuiastic crowd. The Specials features a great cast of relative unknowns that put on some excellent performances. The laughs come often and there are some truly original jokes that will have your jaw on the floor. While the story seems to falter in some areas, the strength of the characters will have you interested all the way through this movie.

The DVD: It's packed with some very cool stuff. High points: The commentary track, deleted scenes, and toy commercial (based on the superhero characters from the movie) are all very cool.

Final Thoughts: This movie came and went without much fanfare, but you won't be disappointed in the movie or the quality of this DVD. I recommend it fully.

I really enjoyed this movie. It is funny and insightful; an unusual take on comic book heroes. This is a character movie with no flashy action sequences - it develops slowly and reveals the characters to us over the course of the film.

This isn't a film for everyone: if you grew up reading comic books and you like Spinal Tap or the underplayed style of British humor, you'll laugh your tuckus off. Like 'Free Enterprise' by the same company, this film is fun if you don't get the endless comicbook in-jokes, a scream if you do. However, if you're looking for splashy fight scenes, special effects or American-style (some might say "infantile") humor, you'll be sorely disappointed. (Watch Mystery Men instead.)

I do wish they had a bit more of a budget; the documentary/drama style of the film seems to be building towards a climactic superhero battle that never happens. The script is so skillfully-written otherwise I suspect the climactic scene was written but cut for budget reasons.

So keep the "no superheroic payoff" in mind, fill your living room with comic book geeks some night and otaku mightily.

If you have followed comics at all, you'll enjoy this spoof. It not only blasts multiple super hero stereotypes, but also takes on some of the commercialism associated with comic heros.

As the other review has stated, this is a movie that you watch for the great writing and hilarious characters. Jamie Kennedy has one of the strongest characters, Amok, who you will find instantly quotable (or repulsive, depending on your point of view). The overall story does fall a little on the soap opera silly side of things, but that's what you get in most super hero stories anyway (especially if you took away the actual villains or action).

As for the disc, it looks and sounds quite decent, doubt that there's any change from the pioneer disc. The extras are pretty funny, but I think those were also carried over from the previous disc. The only difference I can think of is that they have a slightly different menu (not much of a real change).
Definitely worth buying if you don't own the previous edition!

The Specials are not in the forefront of superhero teams. They're not in the rear either, they're the heroes who handle the oddball jobs because they're the oddballs.

However, all is not well behind the scenes - jealousies, relations, and a desire to not be so behind the superhero curve mean this is a rather dysfunctional superhero family. It's Spinal Tap meets the Mystery Men as this band of second-string superheroes vainly tries to be something when their worst enemies are themselves.

This is an odd, but engaging film, done on an extremely low budget. It's not the best edited, there's points in the scripting that seem poorly handled or slapped on. Much as the heroes it portrays, it's a low-level film trying to do its best.

Overall, it works. In some cases, surprisingly well. Seeing a disgruntled superhero debating going back to the supervillany of his youth is a wonderful touch.

This film is not for everyone - its strange, sometimes crude, and chaotic. If you're a fan of the Mystery Men, Doom Patrol, and comics about the weirdoes, and like your humor with a sharper edge, this may be for you. This is a cult hit waiting to happen.