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{{short description|2000 American comedy film directed by Craig Mazin}}
{{Infobox Film | name = The Specials
{{Infobox film
| image = Thespecialsmovie.jpg
| caption = DVD box cover for ''The Specials'' | name = The Specials
| image = Thespecialsmovie.jpg
| director = ]
| caption = DVD cover
| producer = ]<br>]<br>]
| director = ]
| writer = ]
| producer = ]
| starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]
| music = ] | writer = ]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| distributor = ]
* ]
| released = ], ] (])
* James Gunn
| runtime = 82 min.
* ]
| language = ]
* ]
| budget = $1,000,000
* ]
| box office = $13,000
* ]
| imdb_id = 0181836
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}} }}
| music = Brian Langsford
'''''The Specials''''' is the title of a 2000 comedic, ] about a group of ] on their day off. ''The Specials'' were created by ]. According to the film, the Specials are the sixth or seventh most popular group of superheroes in the world.
| cinematography = Eliot Rockett
| editing = Jeremy Kasten
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* Brillstein-Grey Entertainment
* Mindfire Entertainment
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
* Fluid Entertainment
* Regent Entertainment
}}
| released = {{Film date|2000|09|22}}
| runtime = 82 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $13,276<ref name=mojo>{{mojo title|id=specials|title=The Specials}}</ref>
}}
'''''The Specials''''' is a 2000 American ] ] directed by ] and written by ]. It stars an ], featuring ], James Gunn, ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-30|title=Film Review: The Specials (2000)|url=https://horrornews.net/158420/film-review-the-specials-2000/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Horror News {{!}} HNN|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215051634/https://horrornews.net/158420/film-review-the-specials-2000/|url-status=live}}</ref>


The film follows a group of ordinary ]es on their day off. According to the film, the Specials are the sixth or seventh most popular group of superheroes in the world. Unlike most superhero films, ''The Specials'' has almost no action and few special effects; instead it focuses on the average day-to-day lives of the heroes.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-20|title=28 Things We Learned from James Gunn's 'The Specials' Commentary|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/james-gunn-the-specials-commentary/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Film School Rejects|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215051914/https://filmschoolrejects.com/james-gunn-the-specials-commentary/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Unlike most superhero movies, ''The Specials'' has almost no action or special effects; instead it simply focuses on the lives of these hapless heroes.

The film was written by Gunn and directed by ].

==Main cast==
*] ... as The Strobe/Ted Tilderbrook
*] ... as Minute Man/Tim Tilderbrook
*] ... as Ms. Indestructible/Emily Tilderbrook
*] ... as The Weevil/Tony
*] ... as Alien Orphan/Doug
*] ... as Amok
*] ... as Deadly Girl
*] ... as Power Chick/Nancy
*] ... as Nightbird/Shelly
*] ... as U.S. Bill
*] ... as Mr. Smart/Seymour
*] ... as Eight
*] ... as Eight
*] ... as Zip Boy/Jerry
*] ... as Sunlight Grrrll
*] ... as Verdict
*] ... as College Girl
*] ... as Autograph Hound


==Plot== ==Plot==
The superhero team the Specials has never achieved great popularity or prestige, partially because unlike other super teams it is not corporation-friendly and has been unable to secure merchandising deals. Without the corporate or private financial resources of more well-established teams, the Specials often get underrated villains, small disasters, and the occasional alien invasion to repel — all of which are deemed too low-priority for other superhero teams. Even the members with formidable powers have shortcomings that prevented a transition for the team as a whole. Because team-members such as the Strobe, Ms. Indestructible, The Weevil, Deadly Girl, Power Chick, Amok, Alien Orphan, and Eight all possess various social dysfunctions, they've never quite broken through the superhero glass ceiling.
{{spoiler}}


''The Specials'' tells the story of a day in the life of a ragtag group of misfit superheroes with unusual powers. The day begins with the welcoming of Nightbird, the group's newest member -- a teenage girl with "bird-like powers". Nightbird -- who idolizes The Specials -- soon realizes her heroes do not have a harmonious relationship and the cracks begin to show as they prepare to attend a dinner in their honor, thrown by Kosgro Toys, who are releasing a line of ]s based upon the group. The action figures end up being horrible, and, worse, the leader of the Specials, The Strobe, discovers his wife, Ms. Indestructible, is cheating on him with the most popular member of the group, The Weevil. In a fit of anger, the Strobe disbands the group, and the members go on their own way. Minute Man goes on a quest for love with the new girl, Nightbird, but instead falls into the arms of his best friend, Deadly Girl. Meanwhile, Amok, Power Chick, Alien Orphan, and Mr. Smart indulge in a night of drinking, dancing, and debauchery. The team welcomes Nightbird, the group's newest member, a teenage girl with "bird powers." Nightbird, who idolizes the Specials, soon realizes that her heroes do not function as a harmonious team but like a dysfunctional family. One of the two greatest points of stress in the team is the slowly fracturing relationship between the Strobe and Ms. Indestructible, a married couple at the core of the team. Also problematic is that the Weevil is trying to negotiate an exit into a more high-profile superhero team, playing both on his own popularity and his legacy status from following in his father's footsteps.


The cracks begin to show as they prepare to attend a dinner in their honor thrown by Kosgrov Toys, which is releasing a line of ] based upon the group. The event is a travesty. It becomes quickly apparent that Kosgrov did little research on the Specials, and low-balled the production by utilizing cheap accessories and recycled parts. Worse yet, the leader of the Specials, the Strobe, discovers that his wife, Ms. Indestructible, is cheating on him with the most popular member of the group, The Weevil. In a fit of anger, the Strobe disbands the group, and the members go their own ways.
==Tagline==


The Strobe goes to Zip Boy's house and asks for a job at New Standards Inc., a plastics company in ], denying there is a problem by saying that he is great, now that he has "a great new job as a welding asshole." Ms. Indestructible spends the night watching her old wedding video and crying over a glass of wine. The Strobe's brother, Minute Man, who had a crush on the new girl, Nightbird, ultimately falls into the arms of Deadly Girl, who, because of her loyalty to the Strobe as leader, was hurt to learn about Weevil and Ms. Indestructible. Meanwhile, Amok, Power Chick, Alien Orphan, and Mr. Smart indulge in a night of drinking and dancing.
Not As Good As Other Superheroes. But definatly Better Than You.


During the disbandment, the Weevil finalizes his transfer to another superhero team, only to find that his negative press from the Specials still follows him. Reporters focus more on his controversy than his ability to apprehend villains, and the Weevil finds he has gone from being the top dog in a small team to the team runt in the larger one. The Strobe and Ms. Indestructible reconcile, and the Strobe renews his passion for justice instead of image. The team is immediately called back into action and the heroes resolve to do the right thing not because it will bring popularity or glory, but because as misfits, they've become the champions of society's underdogs. They exit to face down another crisis, giant ants attacking the ]; as they assemble, they actively demonstrate their powers for the first time in the entire film.
==The Specials membership==


==Cast==
* The Strobe: The leader and founder of the group. He has the ability to shoot laser beams out of his arms.
*] as Ted Tilderbrook / The Strobe: The leader of the group. He founded the Specials along with his brother Minute Man, the Weevil, Ms. Indestructible, and Stretchie Boy. He has the ability to shoot laser beams out of his arms and possesses a big ego.
*] as Emily Tilderbrook / Ms. Indestructible: The Strobe's wife and secretary. She acts as a sort of ] or ] for the group. She has indestructible skin ("that can withstand a nuclear blast") and cannot be injured anywhere but her eyes. She has an affair with The Weevil.
*] as Tim Tilderbrook / Minute Man: The Strobe's brother. He has the ability to shrink himself to a small size (about 5 inches on average). He is irritated by people constantly mispronouncing his name and mistaking him for a ]. He is also self-conscious about his uniform making him look ].
*] as Tony / The Weevil: The most popular member of the group, he inherited his codename and powers from his father. He has enhanced abilities proportionate to that of an insect, though only "weevil agility" is specifically named. He is having an affair with Ms. Indestructible. He also longs to leave The Specials and join the substantially more popular Crusaders.
*] as Nancy / Power Chick: An outgoing lesbian with the ability to change her body into any material with which she comes in contact. She considers herself to be Alien Orphan's guardian.
*] as Doug / Alien Orphan: An alien who crash-landed on Earth. He can shape-shift, but often has trouble communicating. He is cared for by Power Chick.
*] as Deadly Girl: A young woman who has the ability to enter the "world of the dead" and travel through it, reappearing anywhere she chooses. She can also summon ] to do her bidding, something she says "makes feel good about ".
*] as Seymour / Mr. Smart: A man claiming to be the smartest on Earth. He is an inventor of gadgets such as a smile machine and a device that amplifies his sense of smell 3,000 times. The Weevil refers to Mr. Smart as a "washout" who contributes little to the team.
*] as Shelly / Nightbird: The team's newest member, a teen with very sensitive hearing, an affinity with ], and the ability to lay ], each of which contain a different weapon.
*] as Amok: A former super-villain with blue skin and the ability to manipulate ]. He is extremely vulgar, preoccupied with sex, and, at one time, jailed after capture by rival superhero group The Crusaders.
*], ], ], ], Abdul Salaam El Razzac, Tom Dorfmeister, Johann Stauf and Samantha Cannon as Eight: Believed to be the result of a ] experiment, this hero simultaneously operates eight separate human bodies; allowing him to be in several places at once and receive mixed sensory input. The bodies also span multiple genders and ]. Eight, by his own admission, is passive until required to act.
*] as Jerry / Zip Boy: Former group member who quit to become an entrepreneur. His business is finding "normal" job placements for superheroes. As the name might imply, he possesses super-speed - he can run from ] to ] in 28 minutes.
*] as U.S. Bill: Superhero of limited intelligence but super-human strength. He is extremely obsessed with keeping his identity secret, and lives at home with his mother.
*] as Autograph Hound
*] as College Girl
*] as Sunlight Grrrll
*] as Verdict
*Judith Drake as Verdict's Secretary


== Production ==
* Ms. Indestructible: The Strobe's wife and secretary/office manager of the group. She has indestructible skin and cannot be injured anywhere but her eyes. She is having an affair with The Weevil.
James Gunn wrote the movie in a span of two to three weeks. He gave the script to his brother Sean who passed it to ] who shared it with his manager who then signed Gunn as a client.<ref name=":1" />


The film was released on ] for its 20th anniversary in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-18|title=James Gunn's First Superhero Film, The Specials, Finally Lands Blu-ray Release|url=https://www.cbr.com/james-gunn-the-specials-blu-ray-release/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215052458/https://www.cbr.com/james-gunn-the-specials-blu-ray-release/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Weevil: The most popular member of the group. Like his father before him (who was also called The Weevil), he possesses enhanced abilities proportionate to that of an insect. He is having an affair with Ms. Indestructible and looking to move up in the business of super-heroism.


== Critical reception ==
* Deadly Girl: A ] who has the ability to enter the "world of the dead" and travel through it, reappearing anywhere she chooses. She can also summon demons to do her bidding, something she says "makes you feel good about yourself." She considers The Strobe to be her best friend.
The ] ] reported {{a or an|{{RT data|score}}}} approval rating with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}, based on {{RT data|count}} reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Clever, funny, and exciting."<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=The Specials |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> ] gave the film a ] score of 38 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{Cite Metacritic |id=the-specials |type=movie |title=The Specials |access-date=March 29, 2021}}</ref>


Horrornews.net stated: "The film is simply dumb fun or has fun being dumb. Not every gag is funny, however the idea and execution is really what makes it a treat.”<ref name=":0" />
* Alien Orphan (a.k.a. "Doug"): an alien who crash-landed on Earth. He can shape-shift and dance, but often has trouble communicating. His favorite drink is a ].


==References==
* Minute Man: Has the ability to shrink himself to a minute size. He is irritated by people constantly mispronouncing his name and mistaking him for a ]. He is smitten by Nightbird.
{{reflist}}


==External links==
* Power Chick: An openly ] woman with the ability to change her body into any material with which she comes in contact. She considers herself to be Alien Orphan's guardian.
*{{IMDb title|id=0181836|title=The Specials}}


{{Craig Mazin}}
* Mr. Smart: Claims to be the smartest man on Earth. He is an inventor of devices such as a winged rocket and a machine that amplifies his sense of smell 3,000 times.
{{James Gunn}}

* Eight: Believed to be the result of a ] experiment, this hero consists of eight separate individuals of both genders and several ethnicities, who all share the same consciousness, allowing him/her to literally be in eight places at the same time. Acts as a mentor to the team.

* U.S. Bill: Possesses super-strength, but appears to have very limited intelligence. He has managed to keep his real identity secret from his teammates, but it involves little more than living with his mother.

* Amok: Possesses blue skin, the ability to shoot ], as well as a bad attitude. He was formerly a super-villain.

* Nightbird: The team's newest member, a teen with very sensitive hearing, an affinity with birds, and the ability to lay eggs which contain various weapons.

* Stretchie Boy: Former member of the group, now deceased, who possessed stretching powers, apparently due to exposure to ] water. He died several years before the events of the film from cancer, which is common among elastic superheroes.

* Zip Boy: Former group member who quit to become an entrepreneur; his business is finding "normal" job placements for superheroes. Possesses superspeed.

==External links==
*{{imdb title|id=0181836|title=The Specials}}


] {{DEFAULTSORT:Specials, The}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
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Latest revision as of 05:55, 20 September 2024

2000 American comedy film directed by Craig Mazin
The Specials
DVD cover
Directed byCraig Mazin
Written byJames Gunn
Produced byMark A. Altman
Starring
CinematographyEliot Rockett
Edited byJeremy Kasten
Music byBrian Langsford
Production
companies
  • Brillstein-Grey Entertainment
  • Mindfire Entertainment
Distributed by
  • Fluid Entertainment
  • Regent Entertainment
Release date
  • September 22, 2000 (2000-09-22)
Running time82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$13,276

The Specials is a 2000 American superhero comedy film directed by Craig Mazin and written by James Gunn. It stars an ensemble cast, featuring Thomas Haden Church, James Gunn, Rob Lowe, Jamie Kennedy, Judy Greer, Sean Gunn, Paget Brewster, Jordan Ladd, Jim Zulevic and Kelly Coffield.

The film follows a group of ordinary superheroes on their day off. According to the film, the Specials are the sixth or seventh most popular group of superheroes in the world. Unlike most superhero films, The Specials has almost no action and few special effects; instead it focuses on the average day-to-day lives of the heroes.

Plot

The superhero team the Specials has never achieved great popularity or prestige, partially because unlike other super teams it is not corporation-friendly and has been unable to secure merchandising deals. Without the corporate or private financial resources of more well-established teams, the Specials often get underrated villains, small disasters, and the occasional alien invasion to repel — all of which are deemed too low-priority for other superhero teams. Even the members with formidable powers have shortcomings that prevented a transition for the team as a whole. Because team-members such as the Strobe, Ms. Indestructible, The Weevil, Deadly Girl, Power Chick, Amok, Alien Orphan, and Eight all possess various social dysfunctions, they've never quite broken through the superhero glass ceiling.

The team welcomes Nightbird, the group's newest member, a teenage girl with "bird powers." Nightbird, who idolizes the Specials, soon realizes that her heroes do not function as a harmonious team but like a dysfunctional family. One of the two greatest points of stress in the team is the slowly fracturing relationship between the Strobe and Ms. Indestructible, a married couple at the core of the team. Also problematic is that the Weevil is trying to negotiate an exit into a more high-profile superhero team, playing both on his own popularity and his legacy status from following in his father's footsteps.

The cracks begin to show as they prepare to attend a dinner in their honor thrown by Kosgrov Toys, which is releasing a line of action figures based upon the group. The event is a travesty. It becomes quickly apparent that Kosgrov did little research on the Specials, and low-balled the production by utilizing cheap accessories and recycled parts. Worse yet, the leader of the Specials, the Strobe, discovers that his wife, Ms. Indestructible, is cheating on him with the most popular member of the group, The Weevil. In a fit of anger, the Strobe disbands the group, and the members go their own ways.

The Strobe goes to Zip Boy's house and asks for a job at New Standards Inc., a plastics company in Detroit, denying there is a problem by saying that he is great, now that he has "a great new job as a welding asshole." Ms. Indestructible spends the night watching her old wedding video and crying over a glass of wine. The Strobe's brother, Minute Man, who had a crush on the new girl, Nightbird, ultimately falls into the arms of Deadly Girl, who, because of her loyalty to the Strobe as leader, was hurt to learn about Weevil and Ms. Indestructible. Meanwhile, Amok, Power Chick, Alien Orphan, and Mr. Smart indulge in a night of drinking and dancing.

During the disbandment, the Weevil finalizes his transfer to another superhero team, only to find that his negative press from the Specials still follows him. Reporters focus more on his controversy than his ability to apprehend villains, and the Weevil finds he has gone from being the top dog in a small team to the team runt in the larger one. The Strobe and Ms. Indestructible reconcile, and the Strobe renews his passion for justice instead of image. The team is immediately called back into action and the heroes resolve to do the right thing not because it will bring popularity or glory, but because as misfits, they've become the champions of society's underdogs. They exit to face down another crisis, giant ants attacking the White House; as they assemble, they actively demonstrate their powers for the first time in the entire film.

Cast

  • Thomas Haden Church as Ted Tilderbrook / The Strobe: The leader of the group. He founded the Specials along with his brother Minute Man, the Weevil, Ms. Indestructible, and Stretchie Boy. He has the ability to shoot laser beams out of his arms and possesses a big ego.
  • Paget Brewster as Emily Tilderbrook / Ms. Indestructible: The Strobe's wife and secretary. She acts as a sort of office manager or accountant for the group. She has indestructible skin ("that can withstand a nuclear blast") and cannot be injured anywhere but her eyes. She has an affair with The Weevil.
  • James Gunn as Tim Tilderbrook / Minute Man: The Strobe's brother. He has the ability to shrink himself to a small size (about 5 inches on average). He is irritated by people constantly mispronouncing his name and mistaking him for a minuteman. He is also self-conscious about his uniform making him look gay.
  • Rob Lowe as Tony / The Weevil: The most popular member of the group, he inherited his codename and powers from his father. He has enhanced abilities proportionate to that of an insect, though only "weevil agility" is specifically named. He is having an affair with Ms. Indestructible. He also longs to leave The Specials and join the substantially more popular Crusaders.
  • Kelly Coffield as Nancy / Power Chick: An outgoing lesbian with the ability to change her body into any material with which she comes in contact. She considers herself to be Alien Orphan's guardian.
  • Sean Gunn as Doug / Alien Orphan: An alien who crash-landed on Earth. He can shape-shift, but often has trouble communicating. He is cared for by Power Chick.
  • Judy Greer as Deadly Girl: A young woman who has the ability to enter the "world of the dead" and travel through it, reappearing anywhere she chooses. She can also summon demons to do her bidding, something she says "makes feel good about ".
  • Jim Zulevic as Seymour / Mr. Smart: A man claiming to be the smartest on Earth. He is an inventor of gadgets such as a smile machine and a device that amplifies his sense of smell 3,000 times. The Weevil refers to Mr. Smart as a "washout" who contributes little to the team.
  • Jordan Ladd as Shelly / Nightbird: The team's newest member, a teen with very sensitive hearing, an affinity with birds, and the ability to lay eggs, each of which contain a different weapon.
  • Jamie Kennedy as Amok: A former super-villain with blue skin and the ability to manipulate antimatter. He is extremely vulgar, preoccupied with sex, and, at one time, jailed after capture by rival superhero group The Crusaders.
  • John Doe, Brian Gunn, Lauren Cohn, Chuti Tiu, Abdul Salaam El Razzac, Tom Dorfmeister, Johann Stauf and Samantha Cannon as Eight: Believed to be the result of a CIA experiment, this hero simultaneously operates eight separate human bodies; allowing him to be in several places at once and receive mixed sensory input. The bodies also span multiple genders and ethnicities. Eight, by his own admission, is passive until required to act.
  • Barry Del Sherman as Jerry / Zip Boy: Former group member who quit to become an entrepreneur. His business is finding "normal" job placements for superheroes. As the name might imply, he possesses super-speed - he can run from Yemen to Bel-Air in 28 minutes.
  • Mike Schwartz as U.S. Bill: Superhero of limited intelligence but super-human strength. He is extremely obsessed with keeping his identity secret, and lives at home with his mother.
  • Taryn Manning as Autograph Hound
  • Jenna Fischer as College Girl
  • Melissa Joan Hart as Sunlight Grrrll
  • Michael Weatherly as Verdict
  • Judith Drake as Verdict's Secretary

Production

James Gunn wrote the movie in a span of two to three weeks. He gave the script to his brother Sean who passed it to Jamie Kennedy who shared it with his manager who then signed Gunn as a client.

The film was released on Blu-Ray for its 20th anniversary in 2020.

Critical reception

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 47% approval rating with an average rating of 5.1/10, based on 15 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Clever, funny, and exciting." Metacritic gave the film a weighted average score of 38 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".

Horrornews.net stated: "The film is simply dumb fun or has fun being dumb. Not every gag is funny, however the idea and execution is really what makes it a treat.”

References

  1. The Specials at Box Office Mojo
  2. ^ "Film Review: The Specials (2000)". Horror News | HNN. 2020-07-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  3. ^ "28 Things We Learned from James Gunn's 'The Specials' Commentary". Film School Rejects. 2020-07-20. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  4. "James Gunn's First Superhero Film, The Specials, Finally Lands Blu-ray Release". CBR. 2020-06-18. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  5. "The Specials". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 7, 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  6. "The Specials". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 29, 2021.

External links

Works by Craig Mazin
Films directed
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TV series created
James Gunn
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