(Originally posted on September 4, 2018)

You’ve probably never heard of The Specials (2000).  I’m betting a lot of people have heard of Mystery Men–the movie about loser superheroes.  The Specials is in a similar vein, only with an indie movie budget and feel.  (Technically, both films lost money, however The Specials cost 1 million to make and Mystery Men cost $68 million–while making about half that back.)

The Specials, also unlike Mystery Men, doesn’t really have any action sequences.  This movie is basically about a superhero team on their day off.  It’s all dialogue.  However, the dialogue is pretty funny.

Bargain Basement Superheroes

The Specials tout themselves as the “sixth or seventh most popular superhero team”.  It’s apparent that they are at the bottom of the superhero totem pole.  They don’t even have a “super headquarters”–they have a house.

The main impetus of the storyline is that The Specials have finally gotten an action figure deal which will bring in real fame and money for the team.  The video of the action figures is probably the funniest part of the movie, and I shan’t spoil it for you.  Suffice to say, it had me rolling.

There is also a great deal of personal baggage on the team, combined with constant interpersonal squabbles.

The Heroes

Despite having a tiny budget, this movie has some real stars in it.  You’ve got Rob Lowe as The Weevil (with the proportionate abilities of a weevil).  Jamie Kennedy as Amok (a former supervillain with the ability to manipulate antimatter).  Thomas Haden Church as The Strobe (the pompous leader who can fire lasers from his arms).  James Gunn as Minute Man (who can shrink and constantly corrects people who mispronounce his name) and Sean Gunn as Alien Orphan (who can change shape and is mostly a childlike idiot).

James Gunn is also the writer of this movie, and you probably recognize his name as the writer and directior of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 and 2.

The movie is mostly from the point of view of the new member of The Specials: Nightbird (Jordan Ladd) who can lay “super eggs” (although her power isn’t revealed until near the end).  She’s introduced to everyone and discovers the group’s bizarre idiosyncrasies.

Best Bits

Standouts in this movie are definitely Jamie Kennedy and Sean Gunn.  Jamie is a howl as the hyper-violent and obscene Amok.  This was a role that fits him like a glove.

Sean is great as the *ahem* learning-disabled Alien Orphan.  He manages to come across as rubber-limbed and acrobatic at the same time he’s babbling incoherently.  I really enjoyed his “dance scene” near the end.

Rob Lowe is great as The Weevil.  But I’ve never really seen Rob Lowe turn in a dud performance.  He’s just a consummate professional, no matter how goofy the role.

Despite chaos and interpersonal disasters, this movie has a lot of heart.  It loves the misfit superheroes who make up the team, and doesn’t descend into mean-spiritedness.  These are the heroes who don’t make the headlines.

Slow Parts

The movie does suffer somewhat from a slow pacing and low budget, but this was never meant to be anything but an indie film.  Some may lose interest, but the jokes kept me happy.  If you enjoy a lot of low-key sarcasm and bizarre humor, this movie may be for you.