Superhero Movie

Year of Release: 2008
Genre: Teen / Comedy
Rating: Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, comic violence, drug references and language.
Director: Craig Mazin
Starring: Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Christopher McDonald, Leslie Nielsen, Marion Ross, Brent Spiner, Pamela Anderson, Robert Hays

Date Of Review: April 2008

You won’t ever see “Superhero Movie” rank up there with the real classics of the spoof movie genre such as “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” but nevertheless it’s a fair attempt at spoofing the comic book genre or should I say one comic book movie in particular. “Superhero Movie” follows the plotline of the original “Spider-Man” blow for blow, character for character and almost scene for scene. There are only a few references to other superhero films such as “Batman”, “Fantastic 4” and “X-Men” thrown in for good measure.  The comic book superhero concept has real potential for a good spoof film but unfortunately this attempt isn’t as fully realized as you would have hoped for.  Other comic book characters such as “Superman”, “Supergirl”, “The Incredible Hulk”, “Iron-Man”, “The Punisher”, “Daredevil”, “The Phantom”, “Ghost Rider” , “Captain Marvel”, “Captain America”, "Catwoman", “Thor”, “The Flash” and many more don’t even get a look in. The title “Superhero Movie” suggests a grander spoof movie with more scope and more Superheroes but the film just doesn’t live up to its title. As it turns out, the title “Superhero Movie” is in the tradition of “Scary Movie”, “Epic Movie”, “Date Movie” etc…. but I believe “Dragonfly: A New Breed Of Insect” would have been a much funnier and more original title for the film that it is.  It’s almost as if the filmmakers have put limitations on themselves in the selection of material.

What the film does have going for it is a good cast. Drake Bell is competent as Rick Riker, the high school student who becomes Dragonfly and does a fair attempt at honing in on his inner Tobey Maguire. Sara Paxton, seen more recently in "Sydney White", looks good and does what is required as Dragonfly’s love interest. Sara gives Kirsten Dunst from Spider-Man a run for her money in the role. Old-timers, Leslie Nielsen from “The Naked Gun” and Marion Ross from TV’s “Happy Days” play it up to the hilt as Dragonfly’s grandparents. Sadly, Leslie Nielsen’s contribution of comedic moments are reduced to a collection of poor taste gags. Leslie’s antics in the funeral sequence will make you cringe, while Marion Ross will surely have a hard time living down her flatulence sequence. Christopher MacDonald supporting actor in films such as “Grease 2”, “Where The Boys Are ‘84”, “Breakin’”, “Flubber”, “The Skulls” and countless others gets a major role here as “Hourglass”, the villain of the piece.  In this one Christopher gets a chance to ham it up and parody Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin role from “Spider-Man”.  Busty blonde Pamela Anderson is unfortunately wasted in a 60 second cameo. Even in this compact time frame we only get a peek at Pamela. In her blink-and-you'll-miss-it scene Pammy appears and disappears rapid-fire because her role is none-other than the invisible woman from the “Fantastic Four” films. Not exactly an acting stretch for Pamela but at least its another big screen film credit. She certainly deserved more screen-time considering her image was used on the movie poster.

In general “Superhero Movie” delivers the kind of humor that today’s audiences expect and will keep most teens entertained and chuckling for its 85 minute running time.  “Superhero Movie” is not unlike recent spoof movies such as “Meet The Spartans”, “Epic Movie” and “Date Movie”, all the usual pop-culture references are here, most notably in this one are “I-pod”, “You Tube” and “Google” plus the Tom Cruise fiasco continues with another Tom Cruise look-alike dropping in for a grin or too. In fact this Tom Cruise impersonator almost steals the show. I think he’s a cut above any of the other Cruise-missiles that have popped-up in the earlier spoof movies. His look and mannerisms are nothing short of spot on. His appearance in the actual film itself is brief but if you hang in there for the end credits he comes back again and he’s funnier than ever. It seems that Tom Cruise is becoming a fixture in the modern-spoof movie and I am sure we haven’t seen the last of him.

The bottom-line is “Superhero Movie” is fast-paced, features some neat costumes and a collection of hit-and-miss gags. Unfortunately, there is the occasional onslaught of tasteless material. The filmmakers don’t seem to know the meaning of restraint. Just when everything is going along fine we get snow-balled again with more smut that takes away from some of the better gags. Overall it’s a mixed bag at best but I feel that sometimes less is more.

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See The "Spider-Man" Films That Inspired "Superhero Movie" Now Available on DVD:

Spider-Man (2002) [DVD]
A bite from a genetically-altered arachnid turns timid high schooler Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) into a web-spinning wallcrawler who learns through tragedy to become a hero, in the hit screen rendition of Marvel Comics' flagship character. Kirsten Dunst is Maguire's love interest Mary Jane Watson, and Willem Dafoe is scheming scientist Norman Osborne, who uses his technology to become the armored, bat-glider-riding Green Goblin. With Rosemary Harris, James Franco, J.K. Simmons, and Cliff Robertson; Sam Raimi directs. 121 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by Raimi, Dunst, others; TV spots; music videos; documentaries; outtakes; screen tests; and more.

Spider-Man 2 (Widescreen Version) (2004) [DVD]
Two years after receiving his spider-powers, life hasn't gotten any easier for college student/crimefighter Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). With his grades slipping and his personal life at an all-time low, Maguire hangs up his red and blue costume. But when New York is threatened by a new menace--tentacled terror Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina)--will Spidey return to save the day? Director Sam Raimi's smash hit sequel also stars Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons. 128 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary; bloopers; "making of" documentary; featurettes; music videos and more.

Spider-Man 3 (2-Disc Special Edition) (2007) [DVD]
As Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has his hands full dealing with life in the public eye and the effects of an alien symbiote that has attached itself to him in the form of a sleek new costume, he must also contend with a former friend (James Franco) who's adopted the mantle of the New Goblin, the granular goon the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and rival photographer Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), who joins with the alien to create the villainous Venom. Also stars Kirsten Dunst, J.K. Simmons, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy. 139 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; music video; bloopers; and more.

Spider-Man: The Motion Picture DVD Trilogy Set [DVD]
5-disc set includes "Spider-Man," "Spider-Man 2" & "Spider-Man 3".

Spider-Man 1-3 [Blu-ray]
Includes "Spider-Man," "Spider-Man 2" and "Spider-Man 3."

Other Spoof Films - Now Available on DVD:

Meet The Spartans (Unrated Pit-Of-Death Edition (2008)) [DVD]
No movie left unspoofed, no pop culture reference left unmade, this hilarious parody from the crew who brought you "Epic Movie" lampoons "300" as it follows leather underwear-clad Spartan king Leonidas' quest to defend his people against a Persian army that counts Ghost Rider, Rocky Balboa, Transformers, and Paris Hilton among its ranks. Sean Maguire, Carmen Electra, Ken Davitian, Kevin Sorbo, Method Man star. Unrated version; 87 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; trivia; more.

Scary Movie (2000) [DVD]
"Scream," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," "The Blair Witch Project" and other horror films are spoofed to outrageous effect by director Keenen Ivory Wayans, as brothers Shawn and Marlon are among the teenage targets of a white-masked, hooded, hook-handed killer terrorizing B.A. Corpse High School. Shannon Elizabeth, Cheri Oteri and Carmen Electra also star. 88 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: Spanish; "making of" featurette; deleted scenes; DVD-ROM content; scene access.

Date Movie (2006) [DVD]
"From two of the six writers of 'Scary Movie'" comes this skewering of the romantic comedy genre! Julia Jones (Alyson Hannigan) does her best to shed her fat (suit) and escape the dreary life of a big, fat Greek restaurant waitress by landing the perfect guy (Adam Campbell) who knows what women want. Will they soon be calling the wedding planner? Will he say anything to win the girl of his dreams? Jennifer Coolidge, Fred Willard, Eddie Griffin also star. 83 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; theatrical trailers; deleted scenes; extended scenes.

Epic Movie (Unrated Version) (2007) [DVD]
If you loved "Scary Movie" and "Date Movie," check out this equally uproarious skewering of big-budgeted Hollywood spectacles. When orphan characters from flicks that are oddly reminiscent of "The Da Vinci Code," "Nacho Libre," "Snakes on a Plane," and "X-Men" are taken out of their respective blockbusters, they team up and encounter a Willy Wonka-esque candy maker before entering the not-so-magical world of "Gnarnia." Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jennifer Coolidge, and Crispin Glover star. Unrated version; 93 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; alternate ending; audio commentary; featurettes; gag reel.

Pamela Anderson DVD Collection - Now Available:
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Sara Paxton DVD Collection - Now Available:
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