10 Things You Didn't Know About Mystery Men

[@matildarei]

I watched Mystery Men in the theater when it was released. I was surprised by how many people DIDN’T see it, because everyone who HAD seen it seemed to love it. Even with so many big-name stars, perhaps it was just not marketed well? It just seems such a shame to me. It was a brilliant movie.

[@boywithoutasoul5057]

I saw it by sort of by accident with my best friend. We went to the theater mid day. We saw The Blair Witch Project because we found that movie so awful we had to go back inside to get a palate cleanser. Mystery Man just happened to be the next movie to be showed there.

[@PRdeSO]

I saw it in theater too but I knew then it would bomb even if I was weird enough to like it myself. It is super cheesy and not super memorable but I liked most characters. I never liked Ben Stiller in it but loved Hank's Blue Rajat and Will Macy's Shoveler. And Tom Waits was great. It would have been way better if it came after Watchmen and parodied that style instead of Batman & Robin with that cheesy as hell 90's vibe.

[@GoDamnWeird]

Right there with you, Matilda!

[@benbaker6360]

I didn't see it until this past year. Didn't know it existed. A combination of poor marketing and it being ahead of it's time I guess because watching it now I thought was a good fun film.

[@SleeperInTravel]

It came out at the wrong time, I think. People would have embraced this movie years later but it was just a bit too "out there," for the mainstream I speculate. I also saw it in the theater cause I was a huge fan of Paul Reubens and Garofalo. Rumor has it Tim Burton may have "secretly" directed this which I find fascinating but I guess the world will never know.

[@DrDiscourse]

Both Mystery Men and Galaxy Quest went beyond the subject they parodied and are both great movies. Mystery Men came out in a superhero fatigued time but deserved way more praise than it ever got.

[@SMDoktorPepper]

Cant call Mystery Men a parody, it was its own thing, and a comic before it.

[@DrDiscourse]

@@SMDoktorPepper you are correct I forgot the comic. :-)

[@DeamonChocobo]

​@@SMDoktorPepper yes but it was also a Parody of Super Hero movies of that Era in it style and production.

[@NefariousDreary]

Not much fatigue in that era. It was 3 years before superhero movies exploded with Spiderman.

[@NextToToddliness]

This movie has one of my all-time favorite lines when the Shoveler says, "Let's triangulate." And the the Spleen asks, "Equilateral or isosceles?" I remember dying as a kid over that joke. It still cracks me up when I randomly think of it.

[@josiahbahuaud2294]

I remember being in tears at the theatre at that line, and having to step out a minute to breathe. 😂

[@williamgolden839]

I forget who asked Baby Bowler" you put your dad's skull in your bowling ball ? ". And she replied " no the guy at the pro show did "

[@greyhawk4898]

I agree, keeping In mind I was in my 30s both my kids busted up watching this movie with me so much we had to watch it several times to get to see it all 😊

[@prussianpolydactyl836]

@@williamgolden839 Think it was Blue Raja who asked that.

[@brianbresson2237]

My rage will be my master ? That's what you were going to say right? .....maybe.

[@MovieFanatic4500]

People may disagree, but I'd enjoy seeing you do a documentary on movies. I think it would be great to see ya do a long-form video. You are always so informative and entertaining. Keep up the fantastic work Minty!

[@Sammsy1126]

I feel minty could be the next Oliver Harper. Love that guy

[@LuxuryPossum]

I use to rent this movie from Blockbuster all the time when I was a kid. I was a big fan of Kenan and Kel, so Kel Mitchell's presence sold it for me. It probably wasn't the best movie for a 5 year old to watch, but it has stuck with me since. All Star will always be a song from Mystery Men for me, and no one can change that!

[@powerbadpowerbad]

Mentioning Blockbuster starts the ole nostalgia machine rolling !!! I used to LOVE going there and Hollywood Video also,those good times are now gone,forever.

[@nimravus01]

I've always loved Mystery Men. I thought it was severely underrated in its time. Good review, Minty!

[@Liquidcadmus]

it's a shame this film wasn't commercially successful. it's really fun and well made. I would love to see the mystery men universe expanded

[@GromMolotok]

I unironically love this movie. It's endlessly quotable. And it starts with the most realistic-looking homemade superhero costumes around, at least up until Spider-Man got in the ring with Bonesaw.

[@endymallorn]

Do we fight? Or do I eat this sandwich?!

[@Broken_Orbital]

"checking wind speed, compensate for air conditioning... pull my fingers.."

[@BrandonNielsen87]

The ending with the mystery men actually pulling off their powers was actually genius.

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

The film has so many great lines, but one of my favorite exchanges is often overlooked- Roy's Boss: When are you gonna tear down that jeep like I told you? Roy: Okay we went through this yesterday. That "jeep" is actually an armored car of some kind. It was built to withstand bombs; I can't just rip it apart with a crowbar. As someone who has all too often be order to do impossible tasks by bosses, I can relate to this.

[@thomasstuart2936]

Junk it!

[@g-man8031]

Very,very underrated movie. I was (apparently) one of the few who went to the theatre to see Mystery Men.I still watch it every so often.

[@nsasupporter7557]

Stop saying underrated!

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

Takes me back to the late 90s lol.

[@Gamertrix117]

It was terrible. Only time I’ve walked out of a cinema before the end.

[@nsasupporter7557]

@@Gamertrix117 of course! I never even saw it and knew it was gonna be terrible

[@FlashTimberwolf]

I was hoping you would talk about this movie one day! I absolutely love Mystery Men! It's my favorite superhero movie of all time. I love everything about it. The cast, the visual effects, the comedy, and even the soundtrack. Each song on it is as unique as the movie's characters.

[@sonicsnout]

I'm glad you gave a good overview of Flaming Carrot Comics. It's a friggin great series. Totally bizarre and surreal while still feeling fairly rooted in the superhero genre. I would love to see FC on the big screen someday, but since the character and the creator, Bob Burden, seem to have disappeared, it will likely never happen. Maybe this video will help spark a resurgence 😄 At least we got the Mystery Men! Thanks Minty!

[@KasumiKenshirou]

I have only read the ones where he crossed over with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but don't remember much about them. The part I remember most wasn't the actual comic story, but a column in the comic where the author wrote about "Jarts", a dangerous lawn darts game that used to be sold to children that was pulled off the market.

[@timothyneiswander3151]

ZOMG! Jarts! I despise all of the stupid humans on the face of the Earth for getting my favorite outdoor game banned. At every family event for as long as I could remember, we played this game and guess what...no one got hurt. I found out they were removed from the market when I went to buy my own as an adult. Called my mother to ask if I could have our old set and she said she had thrown them out because she heard they were dangerous. Aarrrggg!

[@billsimonis]

I do think you should have mentioned Doc Heller, who makes the the weapons that the teams uses. Played brilliantly by singer,/song writer/actor, Tom Waits. Paul Ruebens/Spleen is my favorite of the super hero.

[@Darkuni]

I've always been a HUGE fan of this film. I'm glad it is getting some love. It is endlessly quotable, referential and timeless. Thank you!

[@xChrisSoaresx]

I appreciate that you did a video for this highly underrated movie. The looks, the acting, and the story were pretty good. The casting was also something not appreciated either. Thanks Minty.

[@invaderjae]

I didn't get to see Mystery Men in the theater. But I've loved it since the first time I seen it. It's so campy and funny. And the cast is fantastic. I just REALLY think it was made in the wrong time. If it was made in 2015 it would have been a major hit. But instead we have it has a cult classic that was ahead of it's time. Great video Minty!

[@scottdoesntmatter4409]

No, the flick would have been neutered.You're forgetting modern Hollywood.

[@get8bit]

@@scottdoesntmatter4409 Worse yet, they'd wokify it. Two of the heroes would be in a gay relationship and half of them would have storylines about their skin color that would totally confuse the premise.

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

​@@get8bitIt must be miserable being this easily offended by people's sexual orientations and skin color.

[@get8bit]

@@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou I'm offended by bad movies. You can pay $20 a ticket to see a preachy after school special if you want.

[@get8bit]

@@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou Movies are supposed to be an escape and they shouldn't preach at viewers. If every movie had to insert Christian characters and overt Christian messaging, you probably wouldn't like it. Does that mean you're "miserable being easily offended by people's religions"?

[@mishunkontrol1874]

Still one of my favorite superhero movies! Amazing movie! Highly underrated and quite funny!

[@scudman51]

Man, so much Mystery Men stuff lately! I really like this movie! Had it on VHS, watched the heck out of it. I hope we see a sequel or something.

[@2429Ryanspeer]

Honestly this film was hilarious

[@Dr-Weird]

The Shoveler stole the show for me. Loved the movie

[@KamadreJohnson]

Mr. Furious was the best character🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@matthewcote5634]

This was one of my most cherished VHS tapes in my collection when I was younger

[@ronfehr7899]

Actually I preferred Mystery Men to The Blair Witch Project, which I never saw or wanted to see.

[@ronfehr7899]

I liked the fact that the director wanted to make the film more character-based.

[@Thameness]

I love that movie!!!! It was actually the first movie i've ever watched in Blu-Ray, after years of watching it in VHS and DVD.

[@redfishtex738]

It was the film we needed and deserved even today.

[@jodyf8443]

This was such an awesome film. Just a little before it's time. Honestly one of my favourite films.

[@mrsmissy2669]

Mystery Men is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for doing a great review. The casting, the story and the characters were perfect!

[@barbarawallace6890]

I loved it from my first viewing! Silliness abounds, and they played it so straight....especially The Bowler. I had a grand time watching her talking and arguing with her fathers skull, and trying to catch how often skulls expression changed 😂

[@nimravus01]

True about them playing it straight and sincere, like the Shoveler's speech to his wife. Cracked me up!

[@Polycomical]

I love Mystery Men- The scene in the diner is pure genius "He takes them off when he transforms" "That doesn't make sense. He wouldn't be able to see!" Also what a cast (I do also want to give a shoutout to Tom Waits as Dr Heller, also because Tom Waits is great).

[@richardrobbins387]

Waits is really great, and it's rare when he shows up in a movie. Makes the treat even sweeter.

[@WandererNamedGuy]

This movie was great when it came out and HAS definitely aged well. It’s even better today.

[@conradmanley2180]

This great movie was misunderstood and under appreciated. Everyone who helped bring it to life should be proud. Great story and perfect casting. 👌💯❤

[@scottwilson3741]

Make ur videos as long as you think they need to be. Ur always informative & entertaining & never boring

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

I did love this movie! The ensemble cast is great! My first experience with Will Macey was Fargo, so it was nice to see him play a "good" guy. I did notice a few scenes that were very similar to Batman Forever.

[@DeamonChocobo]

One of my favorite things about Mr Furious is that he spends the whole movie trying to fake his rage to "stay in character" but then when he actually lets the Rage take over after letting the facade fall he actually turns into a Badass.

[@thegingergyrl455]

I saw this in the theater with some friends. I was a big fan of the cast and the whole concept was cool to me. Good times.

[@MrDman21]

Mystery Men came from this obscure comic called The Flaming Carrot. It was definitely ahead of it's time. An underrated gem

[@JasmynSundayrose]

Ignore the haters Minty! I love it when you put out long videos. I love the detail/info you go into about each film. You can def tell you love movies.

[@nucleuscyborg5036]

I’ve always loved this movie! From the first time I saw it in theaters to this very day. At the time I first saw the movie the bowler was my favorite character as I was in a bowling league myself, but now I would say the shoveler. Casanova Frankenstein was an awesome villain too!l Long live Mystery Men!

[@monkeydude23100]

I absolutely love this movie. Thanks for doing a video on it. So many people I ask have never even heard of it.

[@trinaq]

I really liked this movie. The song "All star" by Smash Mouth originated in this film, but is more commonly known for appearing in "Shrek."

[@Mrturtlestomps]

It didn’t originate in this morning . It originated on its album . Along with the massive song “walking on the sun” that was a huge hit before either of the movies . Nice try tho.

[@tastywaffle]

I really like this film, and I've been watching it for a very long time. My family introduced me to it about a year after it came out and it really worked for me and for us. It is definitely up there with Galaxy Quest in terms of movies that were way ahead of their time! great video, my friend!

[@serendipity_hunter3974]

I still quote this movie. This will always be one of those comfort movies from the past for me. The spleen steals the show.

[@davidgratton8869]

I attended the local premier of this movie and saw it at least four times in the theatre that year. I made a full costume for the Blue Raja for Halloween, my wife was the bowler, and we hosted a big party for local youth who came as characters as well. I was shocked when it flopped; it was exactly what it was supposed to be. I still watch it at least once a year and I have shared it with new batches of kids over and over. I still quote lines from it all the time. Feel bad for the folks who didn’t get it.

[@iChristyD]

I’m so glad you mentioned Eddie Izzard, I ♥️ him!! We saw him years ago live in Atlanta, laughed our asses off the whole time.

[@danweaver3901]

His "executive transvestite" bit still kills me 20 years later.

[@iChristyD]

@@danweaver3901 OMG right? And…. Cake or death? Cake please!

[@Luckyrabbit1313]

Great film! I remember going to the theater to watch this. Definitely an underdog cult classic that everyone should see.

[@mbryson2899]

Our kids were teens when we saw it in the theater. It still lives on in conversation. Statements like "you were going to..." are met with a reply of "not...necessarily." When asked to do something they don't want to do they reply "I'm not Stab Man, I'm not Knifey Boy."

[@michaelmutranowski123]

Casanova Frankenstein is one of the greatest super villain names to ever exist. He should've got an Oscar for that performance.

[@nimravus01]

Rat Race would be an awesome movie to do a 10 things list, Minty! So many good actors and funny characters in that one.

[@missnerd1969]

Hysterical movie!! " You should have bought a squirrel" Edit: Kathy Bates is an incredible actress. She can be hilarious and fucking scary as fuck!

[@nimravus01]

@Missnerd69 my favorite part is when John Lovitz crashes into the WWII vet meeting.

[@missnerd1969]

@@nimravus01 Yes! The accidetenal Hitler stash! 😆

[@ospididious]

Keep up the great work, Minty! I'm sad you didn't mention Tom Waits, but I understand. He's kind of a niche of his very own. Great choice of movies to cover.

[@roddmatsui3554]

This one’s fun. Everything about it is backwards, and the cast is great. When “Mystery Men” was being filmed, and for awhile afterward, I was often visiting *Universal Studios* and taking their tram tour - haven’t been there in ten years or more - but back then, the tram tour was really pushing the “Mystery Men” sets, and playing that (extremely) catchy theme over and over on the team speaker system. This was all a part of promotion - getting that song heard. And it is a nice song, it kind of ties the movie together, emotionally.

[@jbear83]

I’ve always enjoy Mystery Men. The jokes were great and the world was fun. It is such a bummer that it failed theatrically.

[@snbproductions5482]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Great video!

[@ZombieWilfred]

I would definitely watch the full 3 hour version of Mystery Men!

[@tigrecito48]

mystery men is one of the best parodies ever made.. its one of the best super hero movies ever made.. its one of the best comedies ever made.. its just brilliant in every way.. 10/10

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

I loved Mystery Men. I always saw it as an oddball comedy, and it has had a special cult classic place in my heart.

[@nsasupporter7557]

Oddball comedy was what Napoleon Dynamite was too

[@G.S.Holland]

I saw The Mystery Men the week it was released. It was amazing and one movie I have watched many many times over. It holds up surprisingly well

[@ScaryUniversity]

This definitely is my favorite superhero movie ever!!!!!!!

[@powerbomb4833]

Yes! I'm so glad you did a video on this one! Hopefully you'll do more comic book/superhero movies. Here's some suggestions: The Meteor Man (1993) Blankman (1994) The Shadow (1994) Barb Wire (1996) Steel (1997) Daredevil (2003) Catwoman (2004) Elektra (2005) Fantastic Four (2005) Man-Thing (2005) Sin City (2005) Sky High (2005)

[@simplyjuannie5128]

And Spawn

[@powerbomb4833]

@@simplyjuannie5128 he already did that movie.

[@scottdoesntmatter4409]

Ish, the only one I like here is Meteor Man. I've seen the rest, they were terrible and best forgotten.

[@mjenner89]

One of my favorite movies ever! We got it used from Block Busters when I was a kid and I watched it over and over.

[@CONVERSE1991]

I will forever maintain that Mystery Men and Galaxy Quest are a perfect double feature

[@lordcantiismyname]

So glad you brought up All Star. Ive blown many peoples minds by reminding them this song was originally known for being a Mystery Men music video lol

[@nicstanfield9021]

I watched this movie too many times as a kid. Love every minute. If it had come out today this would have landed perfectly.

[@jc-16.]

" you shovel better than any man I've ever know! But that doesn't make you a SUPERHERO!!!" classic line.

[@robertthienes7792]

This is one of my favorite films. It was a brilliant take on the superhero genre.

[@CarlLepeltier]

3:32 "which I swear, no one watched" LOOOL, yeah, nah, such affirmation suits Mystery Men more than it suits The Legend of Tarzan 😆 ...Minty acting like Mystery Men got way way more audience than The Legend Of Tarzan, as if no one would notice 😉 *Based on simply facts & numbers : Mystery Men - Worldwide Box Office $33,461,011 The Legend Of Tarzan - Worldwide Box Office $356,700,357 ...So the TLOT did 10 times better at the Box Office. 😄 And if we search for a longer run type of data... MM has 68 551 votes on IMDb, and TLOT has 180 628 votes ; so basically, 3 times more people care about TLOT than they do for MM. 🤷‍♂

[@normanrenner4648]

My favorite super hero movie! Perfect cast, visuals and quotes! Super underrated !! Keep up the GOOD work !

[@rocnathan]

One of my favorite guilty pleasures, and way underrated despite its flaws. Good one!

[@kevinwillson341]

No way, just purchased this on 4k last night. Saw it as a kid and have loved it ever since. Highly underrated imo

[@HighHeelKnight]

My mother and I love superheroes and comic books. We love, love the Mystery Men movie. It was a parody ahead of its time. 😂

[@GnrMilligan]

Thanks again for the smiles and the interesting facts Mark. This movie reminds me of "The Tick" animated series with a town that's home to many super heroes. It got two different live action series too. But I'm sure you already know that!

[@anthonymoloney3671]

Spooooon!!! 😁

[@spero1966]

One of my favorite superhero movies of all time. Love it!

[@ronaldcarothers6363]

...always down for Minty videos...instant like before the video even started...great work my Aussie friend...respect...👍🏼😎

[@countorlokdx1]

I gotta give this one another watch. I've been watching other comic book adaptations that never seem to get mentioned a whole lot or even have sequels/remakes. Great episode

[@joebob227]

The movie was definitely way ahead of it's time. I saw it 17 times in the theater, back when matinees were $4.25. Still have my ticket stubs for them all too. The level of detail in the movie was insane and it's sad it didn't do better commercially.

[@W7Mike5150]

I'm an old Army Infantry Vet, I've lived all over the US. I've settled down in central NY. I rather proudly because of THIS movie hail from Herkimer. I can sadly tell you, hardly anyone here has seen this movie. Much to my chagrin, less know this is the home of the Battle Jitney.

[@jonservo]

I remember having mystery men on VHS growing up. My whole family loved it

[@bulkhogan3017]

I think your take that it would do better in today’s world of over saturation with superhero movies is spot on.

[@Lou-T-Fisk]

Love this film criminally underrated in my eyes. Was better than a lot of super hero movies we have gotten. And the cast is mostly A+

[@RaffBuilding]

Though I recall liking Mystery Men, I'm sure I haven't seen it since theatrical or rental release. You've 100% sold me on a re-watch!

[@TheXerosyn]

One of my favs. Truly underrated

[@michaelrue1400]

When I finally got to see Mystery Men on cable, I was pleasantly surprised. It was much better than I'd expected it to be.

[@chaucernerd1690]

This is one of my all time favourite movies!!

[@quasarleon4645]

This is ONE of the movies you analyze, that I didn't even know existed .

[@tonimarie6395]

The movie Rat Race also features the Smash Mouth song. The band is seen performing it. Absolutely!!

[@VideoHeadMan]

YES! I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I watched it 3 times in the theater, and have a giant banner of the film from the movie theaters still in my possession.

[@tom2point0]

OMG Minty! Now that you have done Mystery Men, you should take a look at The Specials. I think it came out around the same time and had a similar all star cast. Thomas Haden Church, Paget Brewster, Rob, Lowe, to name a few. The movie felt a bit more low budget, however.

[@tom2point0]

I just looked it up and it was written by James Gunn! So it’s a timely movie too with him taking over DC Movies and of course Guardians of the Galaxy 3 coming! Sean Gunn is also in it of course.

[@sciii3380]

I trust your MO in bringing the details and who to cover. Stay the course, captain.

[@Hampton-Hamilton-Piggles-Worth]

I love this movie! It doesn't feel like 2 hours when watching. Each actor is enjoyable to watch and you just want to see more of them.

[@devonmask5192]

Despite all the drama behind the scene, I still count it in my Top 10 of best superhero movies. It's like if Tim Burton was on a constant nitrous oxide/meth feed and made his version of The Watchmen.

[@MichaelKnouff]

Everyone I knew had watched Mystery Men and loved it. A lot of my friends were into All That so seeing this movie was a no brainer.

[@sithcritic8906]

I snuck into the premiere party of Mystery Men at the Universal City screening. Ah, good memories, thanks for highlighting this movie.

[@Great_White_Shork]

I always loved this moved. Still waiting for a sequel.

[@Thundarr100]

One element of The Mystery Men that many people seem to overlook is that the story is essentially a retelling of The Seven Samurai. The only real difference, aside from the samurai being replaced with superheroes this time around, is that the whole team survive to the end of the movie in this version, where as in most other versions (The Magnificent Seven, Battle Beyond The Stars, etc) most of the assembled seven are killed. But all of the arch types developed in The Seven Samurai are present in The Mystery Men.

[@stevennabours1320]

I. Love. Mystery Men! I do the Spleen's voice from time to time even lol. Saw in theaters with my friends.

[@matthewcote5634]

Honestly Minty, your "superpower" Isn't "telling bad jokes" -- it's "mispronouncing" nearly every Name, Title & Location you come across. (Regardless, I Still Love Your Work Though 👍 Keep It Up!)

[@joshwilliams4976]

One of My Favorite Comic Book Films😆💜.

[@livesbeneaththebayproducti3909]

I watch your videos all the way through. Because you're awesome. Keep things coming Minty.

[@Malky24]

Mystery Men was decades ahead of it's time. A movie for nerds before nerd culture became mainstream. Underrated movie for sure.

[@GoDamnWeird]

Thanks, Minty! I had totally forgotten Tom Waits was in Mystery Men. I'll be off to JBs to see if I can find it on Monday, that and Seven Psychopaths. He's great in that, too. Keep the good gear comin', man! Love your stuff!

[@daveautzen9089]

Such a great film! Thanks for doing an episode about it.

[@catjudo1]

Fun movie with some great casting choices. Wes Studi as The Sphynx was an absolutely inspired choice, especially after his brilliance as Mogwai.

[@shainewhite2781]

Love this movie! I just wish they had made a sequel to this superhero comedy film. We could have seen the characters fight off an alien invasion, with one of them dying while the others avenge their death.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

I'm glad they didn't, the film is just so wonderfully quirky that I can't see how the formula would work again after they've figured out how to be real superheroes.

[@CinHotlanta]

This movie gave me Wes Studi making me laugh, and for that atop a mountain of many other reasons, I will love it forever. I've always found the fact that they they break in and inadvertently brutally execute Captain Amazing to be one of the funniest parts of the movie 😆

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

It was funny to see Wes in this movie because the last one I saw him in prior to mystery men was Last of the Mohicans, in which he could not be more serious.

[@CinHotlanta]

@@huwhitecavebeast1972 I think that's why I enjoyed it so much, Wes had been typecast in roles with such intensity they bordered on frightening. I can't really blame those who cast him in those parts - he made such a distinct impression in them - but seeing him get to have so much fun in this role really delighted me, similar to whenever Ben Mendelsohn gets to ham it up.