I distinctly remember renting the tape of this movie from Video City, on a rainy day, as the third tape of a rent-2-get-1-free promo. Just a freebie, but, after viewing, I thought it was a work of tantalizing genius and of sheer courage. How could the studios allow this kind of groundbreaking superhero comedy movie? And the writing I thought was given much care and thinking. As one proof, read these teachings of one minor character in the film... the Sphinx
To learn my teachings, I must first teach you how to learn.
You must lash out with every limb, like the octopus who plays the drums.
He who questions training only trains himself at asking questions.
You must be like wolf pack, not six-pack.
We are number one. All others are number two, or lower.
When you care what is outside, what is inside cares for you.
When you can balance a tack hammer on your head, you can head off your foes with a balanced attack.
When you begin to doubt your powers, you give power to your doubts.Hilarious and crazy, but you can glean how these dialogues were carefully crafted. Not anyone can write them!
The part was played by Wes Studi. Incidentally, I watched Last of the Mohicans just a few days after seeing Mystery Men.
I got disoriented in seeing him in a serious original kick-ass badman role, as directed by Michael Mann.
Last of the Mohicans is widely recognized as a fantastic film. Mystery Men, on the other hand, did not do well critically and commercially. I dont get why people didn't get Mystery Men until I saw an entry in Wikipedia that this is now a cult film. I hope a producer heretofore give Kinka Usher another chance. Kinka Usher--cool name for the maker of a cool movie.
