The Specials (2000 film)
A superhero comedy about the day off.
The Specials is a 2000 American superhero comedy directed by Craig Mazin, with a script by James Gunn. The movie centers on a team of second-tier superheroes spending a day off from crime-fighting, emphasizing their mundane routines over action sequences or flashy visual effects. The cast includes Gunn, Thomas Haden Church, Rob Lowe, Jamie Kennedy, Judy Greer, Sean Gunn, Paget Brewster, Jordan Ladd, Jim Zulevic, and Kelly Coffield.
In the film, the Specials rank as the sixth or seventh most popular superhero group globally. They lack the corporate backing or merchandising deals that more famous teams enjoy, so they handle low-priority threats like minor villains, small disasters, and occasional alien invasions. The story begins when their leader, The Strobe, announces a toy deal with Kosgrov Toys. The team reacts warily, fearing the deal might compromise their anti-establishment image. Meanwhile, The Weevil, the group’s most popular hero, secretly negotiates to join a better-funded team.
At a dinner hosted by Kosgrov, the Specials see their action figures, which are cheaply made with recycled parts and glaring inaccuracies. The Strobe then discovers his wife, Ms. Indestructible, is having an affair with The Weevil and disbands the team. During the breakup, The Strobe considers quitting heroics, Ms. Indestructible regrets her betrayal, and Minute Man starts a relationship with Deadly Girl. The Weevil transfers to another team but finds his ego bruised when reporters focus on his controversial reputation rather than his abilities. The Strobe and Ms. Indestructible reconcile, and he rediscovers his passion for justice. He reunites the Specials, who pledge to champion society’s underdogs despite lacking fame. The film ends with them powering up to fight giant ants attacking the Pentagon.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Craig Mazin
- Producer
- Mark A. Altman
- Writer
- James Gunn
- Starring
- Thomas Haden Church / James Gunn / Rob Lowe / Jamie Kennedy / Judy Greer / Sean Gunn / Paget Brewster / Jordan Ladd / Jim Zulevic / Kelly Coffield
- Music
- Brian Langsford
- Cinematography
- Eliot Rockett
- Editing
- Jeremy Kasten
- Studio
- Brillstein-Grey Entertainment / Mindfire Entertainment
- Distributor
- Fluid Entertainment / Regent Entertainment
- Released
- 22 September 2000
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's plot centers on the Specials, the world's seventh-most popular superhero team, who have never achieved great prestige due to lacking corporate or private financial resources. They battle underrated villains and assist in small disasters. The team welcomes a new member, Nightbird, and their leader, The Strobe, announces a merchandising deal with Kosgrov Toys, leading to mixed reactions about sacrificing their independent image. The Weevil, the most popular member, secretly negotiates to leave for a better-financed team. At a dinner thrown by Kosgrov Toys, the team is outraged by inaccurate and cheaply made action figures. The Strobe catches his wife, Ms. Indestructible, cheating with the Weevil and disbands the group. After a period of reflection and reconciliation, The Strobe reunites the Specials, and they leave to fight giant ants attacking The Pentagon.
Reader's Guide
The Specials is notable for its low-budget, character-driven approach to the superhero genre, deliberately avoiding action and special effects to explore the mundane lives and petty feuds of its heroes. Written quickly by James Gunn, the film was described by producer Mark A. Altman as being in the spirit of Clerks or This Is Spinal Tap. Critical reception was mixed: Rotten Tomatoes reported a 50% approval rating with a consensus calling it 'Clever, funny, and exciting,' while Metacritic gave a score of 38 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. The film was released on Blu-Ray for its 20th anniversary in 2020. Its legacy lies in its cult status as an early work by Gunn and Mazin, offering a satirical take on superhero tropes before the genre's mainstream dominance.
Did You Know?
- James Gunn wrote the script in two to three weeks.
- The film has almost no action and few special effects.
- The Specials are the sixth or seventh most popular group of superheroes in the world, according to the film.
- The film has been released on DVD and digital platforms, but not on Blu-ray.
More in American superhero comedy films 1-24
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