Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126521 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-03-11
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
Director Craig Mazin's self-mocking debut film follows the members of the Specials, America's seventh best superhero team, documenting the drama of their pathetic daily lives. Possessing more flaws than superhuman powers, the egomanical Strobe (Thomas Haden Church) and his misfit group--including the Weevil (Rob Lowe), Amok (Jamie Kennedy), Ms. Indestructible (Paget Brewster), Deadly Girl (Judy Greer), Minute Man (James Gunn), and new recruit Nightbird (Jordan Ladd)--must contend with their sub-par status as they fight amongst themselves. However, hope for some sort of dignity arrives when a toy manufacturer agrees to produce action figures of the team. Will the toy company save the Specials

New York Times
"Spinal Tap meets Batman."

Customer Reviews

A bad day in the life of a mediocre superhero team...
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!

Pretty special
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.

funny but rather weird
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!!!