Search - The Specials on DVD

"Not as good as regular superheroes...but better than you"

H. Bala | Carson - hey, we have an IKEA store! - CA USA | 07/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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.
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Not the Best Superhero Movie, But BetterThan Most

Christopher Kindred | Las Vegas, NV USA | 03/06/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Exquisite pain

L. Smith | 07/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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)



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It's a comedy. Not an action flick.

J. Kendall | Baton Rouge, Louisiana United States | 11/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."