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| B- B- B- | |
| Review by Xibo | Date seen: August 6, 1999 |
| Viewing Location: Greenwich Village, NYC | Grade: B- |
| Summary: A fun ensemble sci-fi flick that should have been better. | |
| William H. Macy, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Stiller and others make up a fun ensemble cast of comic-book-style characters who are superhero wannabes. Janeane is absolutely adorable in this, as always. Macy and Stiller also give excellent performances. You have to appreciate their performances and the special effects as much as you can, because the wacky piecemeal script does get in the way. The entire plot changes halfway through the film, as well. This is sad, because had this movie been put together a little more rigorously, it would have been a much greater success. Instead, it's just a goofy sideshow in the highway of these actors' fine careers. | |
| B+ B+ B+ | |
| Review by Finrod | Date seen: 0, 2000 |
| Grade: B+ | |
| Summary: Wanna-be superheroes | |
| If it hadn't been for Janeane (in her pre-politics-rant days), I probably wouldn't have bothered to watch this movie. But, it does a decent job of putting a twist on the standard superhero movie, and has a good time doing it. | |
| B+ B+ B+ | |
| Review by hughjtoad | Date seen: January 21, 2000 |
| Viewing Location: Sunnyvale, California | Grade: B+ |
| Summary: Alternative comics are good | |
| I liked this movie a lot. As a superhero, I realize that our images are often over-romanticized, and this movie did a good job of showing what it's like before you make it big. There was a little too much "shoving in", parts that feel like they don't belong. It's a smart movie, but also funny and satisfying. The final song was an excellent use of music. | |
| B- B- B- | |
| Review by Arcady | Date seen: January 21, 2000 |
| Viewing Location: Greater Union, Adelaide | Grade: B- |
| Summary: Good fun, poor pacing | |
| Mystery Men lampoons many of the conventions of the super hero genre and does so successfully. The acting ranges from fine to great; the musical score is spot on; the special effects are for the most part suitable and with a couple of exceptions not overdone (given that it is supposed to be at least somewhat over the top.) The pacing however is deplorable, and the quality of the script is patchy. Some scenes in particular stand out as visually complex and stunningly well executed, but they are the exception rather than the rule. This movie will be a lot more fun for those who have ever played in low power superhero role playing games. | |
"I should put quotes here."