Movies - The Specials

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	Movies - The Specials

The Specials is the title of a 2000 comedic, cult movie about a group of superheroes on their day off. The Specials were created by James Gunn. According to the film, the Specials are the sixth or seventh most popular group of superheroes in the world.

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 Craig Mazin.

Main cast

Thomas Haden Church
... as The Strobe/Ted Tilderbrook
James Gunn ... as Minute Man/Tim Tilderbrook
Paget Brewster
... as Ms. Indestructible/Emily Tilderbrook
Rob Lowe
... as The Weevil/Tony
Sean Gunn
... as Alien Orphan/Doug
Jamie Kennedy
... as Amok
Judy Greer
... as Deadly Girl
Kelly Coffield
... as Power Chick/Nancy
Jordan Ladd
... as Nightbird/Shelly
Mike Schwartz ... as U.S. Bill
Jim Zulevic
... as Mr. Smart/Seymour
John Doe ... as Eight
Brian Gunn ... as Eight
Barry Del Sherman ... as Zip Boy/Jerry
Melissa Joan Hart
... as Sunlight Grrrll
Michael Weatherly
... as Verdict
Jenna Fischer
... as College Girl
Taryn Manning
... as Autograph Hound

Plot

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 the prepares to attend a dinner in their honor, thrown by Kosgro Toys, who are releasing a line of action figures 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 (who is constantly frustrated by his name being mispronounced -- it's actually "my-noot man", because he can turn small, not Minute Man after the soldier) 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.

Tagline

Not As Good As Other Superheroes. But Slightly Better Than You.

The Specials membership

The Strobe: the leader and founder of the group; has the ability to shoot laser beams out of his arms.

Ms. Indestructible: The Strobe's wife and secretary/office manager of the group. Has indestructible skin and cannot be injured, except in her eyes. Is having an affair with The Weevil.

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. Is having an affair with Ms. Indestructable, and later quits the Specials to join a rival group, The Crusaders.

Deadly Girl: Goth who has the ability to enter the "world of the dead" and travel through it, reappearing anywhere she chooses; can also summon demons to do her bidding, something she says "makes you feel good about yourself." Considers The Strobe to be her best friend.

Alien Orphan (a.k.a. "Doug"): an alien who crash-landed on Earth. A shape-shifter who can also dance. His favorite drink is a bloody mary.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for The Specials (film) ]

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