Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A bad day in the life of a mediocre superhero team..., 20 Oct 2003
I must admit to having some reservations about this film, I expected a surplus of toilet humour, cheap gags, and poor slapstick - but I was pleasantly surprised! Okay, maybe some of the jokes were tacky, but once you're into the film you don't notice!
This film shows a group of heros, that have powers, but unlike the X-men where you see the group save the day, here you see the group bum around HQ, get up in the morning, go out to a bar - just mundane stuff. It's a great film concept, and it's pulled off really well.
The low budget may put some people off, but I think it only adds to the film's feel and character. The Specials barely have a budget for a TV, and having elaborate sets and costumes would have just clashed with that concept. For example, the scene where Weevil visits the crusaders in a huge, ornately decorated office is an excellent contrast to the rest of the sets.
I would recommend this film to everyone, if you've seen Mystery Men, but didn't like it, don't let that put you off - The Specials is very different (the characters actually have decent powers).
Finally, if you can, get the DVD with the commentary - it's the only commentary I've actually listened to the only way through, it's hilarious!
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2.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty special, 8 Jul 2004
In the wake of Mystery Men, and with the rise of costumed heroes in Hollywood once again, I expected to see more films prodding fun, especially with the straight-faced Mutant-X on television. So far though, this is the only one I've come across and I have to say it's really rather good.The Specials are a superhero team, ranked roughly about seventh in the world. Operating out of a fairly average looking suburban American home, the heroes face a series of threats, like new action figure ranges, what to spend the budget on, marital discord and faulty gadgets. There are no big superhero battles and nary a sight of a costumed villain. What you do get is a pretty astute film about contrasting personalities and group dynamics... with a little bit about doing the right thing. And it's funny, not always laugh-out-loud funny but it's consistently amusing and flows well as a film, far better than the bigger-budget Mystery Men in fact. The performers are all spot on, and no-one really outshines their cast members, leaving this as a pretty good ensemble piece. It's a weird film and at the moment it's damned cheap. In years to come I feel this will pick up a following, but for now take the chance and be the one that introduces it to your friends. It's funny, whimsical, with great characters and a subdued style.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
funny but rather weird, 17 May 2004
I bought The Specials because it had Jamie Kennedy AND Micheal Weatherly in it! I couldnt believe there was a film out there with both! The plot is strange and there are a few occasions where I cringed at the 'toilet-humor' but its not a bad film. Jamie Kennedy is hilarious...and blue! Weatherly only has a small part but that doesnt matter! It's good for a laugh and I don't regret buying it, even if i hardly watch it. Oh and it has a great soundtrack!!!
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