Mystery Men

For all the name actors and elaborate, Tim Burton/ Batman scenery, this Kinka Usher film is amateurish. Perhaps that's because every comic-book fan has sat around dreaming up his own superheroes, either legitimate or wanna-bes like the dubious crew that are the Mystery Men. Funny are Ben Stiller as Mr. Furious, whose "power" is that he gets really mad, and Janeane Garofalo as "The Bowler." But Bob Burden, who created the cult comic on which the film is based, could have been more imaginative with the rest of the gang. What's up with "The Shoveler" (William T. Macy), whose "power" is his skill with a shovel? Or Paul Reubens as "The Spleen," who wipes out enemies with his tremendous farts? Believe me, that's funny only once.

The initial sighting of celebs in their costumes is fun, the acting is energetic, and there are some clever moments, especially when the film directly spoofs the superhero genre. Take Greg Kinnear's Captain Amazing, who looks just like his alter ego, yet no one can put two and two together. It's too bad that Captain Amazing has to be kidnapped so early on -- as the arrogant all-American, corporate-sponsored, legitimate superhero, he's the film's best character. After he's captured and the Mystery Men set out on a rescue mission, the film becomes interminable -- just like the list of other stars here: Hank Azaria, Claire Forlani, Eddie Izzard, Kel Mitchell, Pras, Wes Studi, and Geoffrey Rush as the arch-villain Casanova Frankenstein. At the Holiday, Showcase, Tri-Boro, and Westerly cinemas.
-- Mark Bazer