Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Mystery Men (1999)
Mystery Men
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Mystery Men (1999) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 61 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Mystery Men (1999) -- A group of inept amateur superheroes must try to save the day when a supervillian threatens to destroy a major superhero and the city.
Mystery Men (1999) -- A group of inept amateur superheroes must try to save the day when a supervillian threatens to destroy a major superhero and the city.

Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   28,927 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Kinka Usher
Writers (WGA):
Bob Burden (comic book series by Dark Horse)
Neil Cuthbert (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Mystery Men on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 August 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Comedy | Fantasy more
Tagline:
This summer expect the unexpected more
Plot:
A group of inept amateur superheroes must try to save the day when a supervillian threatens to destroy a major superhero and the city. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(14 articles)
Where to find Hugh Jackman's Wolverine leather jacket
 (From The Geek Files. 19 May 2009, 9:21 AM, PDT)

The Best and Worst Superhero Costumes ... Ever?
 (From Cinematical. 5 March 2009, 9:02 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Extremely Underrated more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for comic action violence and crude humor.
Runtime:
121 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Cee-lo Green, now famous as the singer for Gnarls Barkley, makes a brief appearance as an evil rapper. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When The Bowler first arrives at the tryouts, she removes her ball from her bag and kicks it away. Immediately after it is back at her side. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Dr. Heller: [offering an old lady candy at the Senior dance] Would you like something sweet?
Old Lady: [impressed] Oh!
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Spotlight on Location: Mystery Men (2000) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Keep, Keep Movin' more

FAQ

Where did the idea of the "Mystery Men" originate?
more
83 out of 95 people found the following comment useful:-
Extremely Underrated, 17 March 2005
9/10
Author: schadenfreude714 from Northern Michigan

I saw "Mystery Men" on my birthday in 1999 while I was away on vacation. When I came back home, I went to see it again. Keep in mind, I was twelve, but at that time it was the coolest movie ever. I even collected the ultra-rare action figures (I have them all except for the Bowler, which is the hardest to find. They made Mr. Furious, The Shoveler, The Blue Raja, The Spleen and Captain Amazing, in case your wondering. There IS a William H. Macy action figure in existence!). I've watched it many times over the years and it still remains a favorite of mine, due mostly to fond childhood memories. It's not a perfect movie, but it definitely deserves another look and perhaps a cult following.

The story: a bunch of low-level superheroes save the day. This was executed again in the mediocre, direct-to-video "The Specials" as well. But this is the other end of the spectrum: big budget (huge budget, almost $100 Million I think) studio comedy. Yes, the effects are overblown and the huge sets and wonderful production design are a bit much considering the plot. But don't think this as a stupid, special effects-y superhero movie--it's a PARODY. They fight a villain named Cassanova Frankenstein, people. He has a psychofrakulator, whatever that is (it's a doomsday device, he'll take over the world, yada yada.) And resident superhero Captain Amazing (a Zapp Brannigan-esque Greg Kinnear, with commercial-product-logos on his costume, nice touch) is kidnapped. Time for the Mystery Men: Mr. Furious (Ben Stiller, gets mad), The Shoveller (William H. Macy, beats people with shovels), The Blue Raja (Hank Azaria, British, throws forks), The Bowler (Janeane Garafolo, bowls), Invisible Boy (Kel Mitchell, guess what he does), The Spleen (the great Paul Reubens, farts), and The Sphinx (Wes Studi, cuts guns in half with his mind, I am not kidding). The rest of the fantastic cast of character actors includes Geoffrey Rush as Cassanova, Lena Olin heavily edited out as Cassanova's bride, and the one and only Tom Waits as a crazy weapons dealer. So...with Macy, Kinnear, Olin, and Rush there are four Oscar-nominees (and one winner) and Tom freakin' Waits! It's not perfect though. It's overlong and there are some gushes of corniness here and there (The Shoveller's full of them).

The dialogue definitely outweighs the physical comedy, which is sometimes lacking (there's a guy who farts for his power, case closed). The dialogue is definitely a highlight, the cyclical ramblings of the Sphinx, the mixed metaphors of Mr. Furious, etc. It's downright a funny movie, (it will almost make you forget that this was the film that let "All Star" by Smashmouth out into the world.)

Unfortunately, the film did not do as well with critics and audiences as it should have. A sequel was originally planned (the film is in fact based on a comic book and characters from "The Flaming Carrot" comics. The Flaming Carrot was planned for the sequel I believe) but this did not do well at the box office. It could have been a hard sell, a superhero comedy with the guy from "There's Something About Mary." It also could have been the fact that it was released on the same day as "The Sixth Sense"--which ended up being the biggest hit for the month of August--as well as "The Thomas Crown Affair." Two other misunderstood classics were released on the same crowded weekend, oddly enough--"Dick" and "The Iron Giant." Critics gave MM passable reviews, but it was quickly forgotten. Sadly enough, on Comedy Central's Roast of Jerry Stiller, comedian Jeffrey Ross commented to Ben Stiller that, "I saw 'Mystery Men' and I fired MY agent." Ben is then seen to mouth the words, "I should have to." Don't listen to him. Give "Mystery Men" a chance.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mystery Men (1999)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why am I the only person who likes this? atavus79
Ahead of it's time DarkGoeie
Ben Stiller admits it was horrible mike-5134
250 Things You Learned From Mystery Men ordinarydomer
Herkimer real? floppyhat03
I Don't Get It... zucchiniesinbikiniesaren
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Incredibles Fantastic Four Batman The Monster Squad X-Men
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.