Revisiting MYSTERY MEN in a post-Avengers world

[The Lensman]

Christopher wrote:

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I was surprised to learn that this wasn't an original concept, but an adaptation of characters from Bob Burden's indie Flaming Carrot Comics, albeit with the Carrot himself removed.

Yep! As someone who was an avid reader of Flaming Carrot, and as someone who's favorite issues were the Mystery Men two parter, I was a little let down with the movie. In the movie, they didn't come off as the 2nd string, blue collar, mill town heroes as well as in the comics. Plus, the second of that two parter was hilarious, especially once they hit the bars and started getting drunk.

The movie felt off to me for the usual reasons: most of The Mystery Men weren't in it (C'mon, no Bondo Man?), the ones that were didn't look like their comic counterparts, nor did they act like them much. Mr. Furious is a dork who thinks getting angry gives him powers vs. the bad ass who's already pissed off all the time?

Still, I enjoyed it for what it was and I certainly wouldn't mind revisiting thanks to this thread. Was a little let down that they didn't work Flaming Carrot in somehow, some little in joke or something.

[Haggis and tatties]

One of my fave movies......i would have loved a sequal.

[Hugo Rune]

This, like Galaxy Quest from the same year, is a wonderful spoof homage to its (at times) over-earnest medium.

Both are sharply written, both are filled with engaged actors, and both understand what they are meant to be - nothing but fun.

I don't need to see follow ups to either, as both hit all the targets they were aiming for. Anything more would be redundant.


Hugo - I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines / By Grapthar's hammer... what a savings.

[Mr. Adventure]

Dug this out of storage. I was really surprised to see C-Lo Green in there. What a great cast though and the odd setting and kitschy costuming and bright colors always keeps things interesting visually. Lots of funny lines in there hidden by their throwaway delivery. Plus Michael Bay as a frat boy.

[Gaith]

Hugo Rune wrote:

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This, like Galaxy Quest from the same year, is a wonderful spoof homage to its (at times) over-earnest medium.

Both are sharply written, both are filled with engaged actors, and both understand what they are meant to be - nothing but fun.

I don't need to see follow ups to either, as both hit all the targets they were aiming for. Anything more would be redundant.

Agreed. In spoof movies, the good jokes are often used up the first time around. There may have been a few okay gags in the Austin Powers sequels, but who in their right minds would want to watch one of them instead of the original today?

Similarly, while not as clearly a spoof movie as the aforementioned, while I'd definitely be interested in seeing a Hot Rod 2, it's probably just as well its poor box office means there'll never be one.