cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/15735604
Perhaps it’s fitting that a film about a ragtag rabble of not-so-superheroes failed to take off at the box office. But, 25 years since its release, the Ben Stiller-starring Mystery Men is worth rescuing from obscurity. That it hasn’t generated the cult following of so many other slightly under-the-radar movies of 1999 – think the cannibal horror movie Ravenous, or the Kirsten Dunst Watergate comedy Dick – feels criminal to the point of super-villainy.
The first and to date last feature film by the TV commercial director Kinka Usher, Mystery Men now seems curiously placed within the history of comic book movies. Released on 6 August 1999 in the US, it spoofed the superheroes that came before it, while anticipating – or preemptively satirising, even – the yet-to-happen superhero boom with ideas as sharp as anything seen in almost two decades of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I saw this on release in the cinema and loved it. As soon as the US DVD was announced, I stuck in my pre-order. The only let down is that there’s not enough Eddie Izzard (as he was then known).
I remember the commentary track being really interesting as during the superhero tryouts section of the film, there’s a lot of cameos of friends and upcoming actors. The only one I remember is the superhero Eraserhead/Pencilman (sorry it’s been so long I’ve forgotten his name). Anyway, he’s played by Doug Jones who would become more famous for playing fantastical creatures. The fawn from Pan’s Labyrinth, Abe Sapien from Hellboy, Saru in Star Trek: Discovery and so many more shows and films.
I adore this movie. It’s unabashedly weird and fun, and a fantastic satire of superhero tropes at the time.
My only significant hangup with it is the look of cultural appropriation through the Blue Rajah, but it stands just on the right side of acceptable imo thanks to a well fleshed out character and Hank Azaria’s great performance.
If you haven’t seen it, check it out.
This is one of two movies that I force others to watch when I get to pick. My other one is GalaxyQuest.
It was one of the best movies of its time.
Just the idea of an invisible man who can only turn invisible when no one’s looking at him is so brilliant and hilarious
