Review of Mystery Men (1999) by Nigel D — 31 Aug 2009

This is a decidedly odd movie. It's got a very specific sense of humor (love it or hate it), but I think the film's main fault is in its length; this is an amusing concept that might have worked better in a film that was at least 20 minutes shorter.

As expected, William H. Macy (as The Shoveler) and Geoffrey Rush (as the villainous Casanova Frankenstein--what a name) are the bright spots in the cast. As expected, Ben Stiller is the weak link. Completely unexpectedly, very funny and sometimes a scene-stealer, Paul Reubens is effective in his role as The Spleen (oddly, doing exactly the same voice that John Leguizamo would later use for Sid in the "Ice Age" movies). It's a role I should have hated, but found that I didn't. Janeane Garofalo has an interesting part, talking to her dead father's skull half the time.

Visually, "Mystery Men" is pretty unique, but it's not about the visuals. You're either going to get it, or you're not. It clicked with me about half the time, and I'm guessing the final product could have been better with a little more surgery in the editing room.