Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		2.0

The Specials Blu-ray Movie Review

Where's Groot when you really need him/it?

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 14, 2020

Craig Mazin both created and wrote the acclaimed HBO miniseries Chernobyl, and some with jaded senses of humor (ahem) might aver that Mazin got some of his own personal experience with epochal disasters with two somewhat similar films he directed (his only directing credits, according to the IMDb), this film and a somewhat later entry entitled Superhero Movie. Both The Specials and Superhero Movie attempt to send up the ever popular superhero franchise (as might be surmised by the title of the second film at least), but neither really ever hits the bullseye, despite winning casts and at least some passingly comical moments which nonetheless rarely if ever result in out and out hilarity. The Specials has a fitfully adhered to quasi-documentary approach, with occasional “first person” interviews and/or confessionals delivered directly to the camera, but it is otherwise a pretty standard low rent comedy that simply treats a group of hapless supposed superheroes as an incredibly dysfunctional family, with neither consistent comedy nor any real action elements which might break up the tedium.

Kind of amazingly, The Specials was written by one of its co-stars, James Gunn, and it’s at least arguable that Gunn has managed to hone his craft in both writing and acting in superhero send ups, as evidenced by his writing of and co-starring in Guardians of the Galaxy. The Specials unfortunately doesn’t play even slightly as a “warm up” for Guardians of the Galaxy, though it has to be admitted that, as discussed in some of the supplements on this disc, The Specials didn’t really have a Marvel-ous budget (sorry, couldn’t resist).

The Specials are introduced as the "sixth or seventh" best superhero team in the world, though why they've even managed to make the "Top Ten" may seem like an impenetrable mystery as the story unfolds. A new recruit named Nightbird (Jordan Ladd) is welcomed to the group, after the departure of another member which is curiously undeveloped, and that allows for several quick "introductions" as Nightbird, who is something of a superfan of The Specials, gets to meet her idols. Among the other members of this often squabbling group are Strobe (Thomas Haden Church), Strobe's wife Ms. Indestructible (Paget Brewster), The Weevil (Rob Lowe), Minute Man (James Gunn), Amok (Jamie Kennedy), Mr. Smart (Jim Zulevic), Deadly Girl (Judy Greer), Alien Orphan (Sean Gunn), Power Chick (Kelly Coffield), and Eight (played by an assortment of people, including X's John Doe). The mere fact that there are so many characters (and these aren't even all of them) may give some idea of how manic a lot of The Specials ends up being, darting to and fro between various storylines and interrelationships, but sadly failing to find much guffaw worthy material in the process.

The film’s underlying premise is that The Specials are so busy arguing with each other that they haven’t been able to really capitalize on their abilities, and have had a similar lack of success in generating income due to a dearth of licensing deals. That element suggests a level of comedic intelligence in at least the substratum of the screenplay, and in fact one of the film’s arguably better done moments is a scene where The Specials attend a “launch party” for action figures based on them, an event which predictably goes horribly, horribly awry when it turns out the toy company has made some significant changes to them in the process (including the race of one character).

Other elements of the screenplay, though, serve as little more than opportunities for lowbrow, often foul mouthed, joking. Marital discord enters the fray, and The Specials end up disbanding, with several members attempting to either join a new superhero group, go the archvillain route, or get “regular” jobs as everyday shmoes. Without posting any out and out spoilers, suffice it to say that the group of course reunites for a finale which, while offering at least some special effects wizardry (you'll pretty much get the gist of it in screenshots 1 and 19 accompanying this review), kind of ends before the action ever starts.

The Specials Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Specials is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of La La Land Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. The back cover of this release touts a new 2K scan of the IP, and the results are largely commendable. The palette pops appealingly throughout the presentation, and some of the more deeply saturated hues, as in Amok's Mystique-esque blue skin, really look beautifully vivid. Detail on fabrics on costumes is also typically very good, with things like a bit of pill on Strobe's fuzzy suit clearly visible. There are some very minor and sporadic blemishes that the most eagle eyed may catch, mostly in the form of white specks. While this looks generally organic, there isn't a ton of grain on display, and it looks like some of the supposed video elements (as seen on televisions in the film and the like) were done on video.

The Specials Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Specials features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks. While this film has virtually no "whiz bang" action elements which might have kicked the surround track into overdrive, the 5.1 mix actually is quite spacious with regard to the really fun underscore and prevalence of source cues. Some of the more crowded scenes, as in the launch party for the toys, also have nice engagement of the side and rear channels. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly throughout this problem free track.

The Specials Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• 2000 Commentary with Director Craig Mazin, Writer / Actor James Gunn, Producer Mark A. Altman and Visual Effects Supervisor Mojo


• 2005 Audio Commentary with Writer / Actor James Gunn and Actress Paget Brewster


• Mojo's "Magic": The "Specials" Effects (1080p; 2:58) is a kind of funny short piece documenting the film's limited effects work.


• Deleted Scenes (1080i; 4:32)


• Toy Commercial (1080i; 1:04) offers the intentionally gonzo and slightly provocative commercial that is seen at the launch party for the toys.


• Wedding Video (1080i; 00:58) offers the supposed nuptials of Mr. and Mrs. Strobe.


• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 2:31)


• Behind the Scenes Photos (1080p)

A separate page markets La La Land's King Cohen.

The Specials Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

La-La Land has long been one of my "go to" labels for interesting soundtrack fare on CD, and I almost wish this had simply been a soundtrack release, since the music is undeniably fun. Unfortunately I just didn't respond to the actual film with the same degree of enthusiasm. The Specials offers a really interesting, eclectic cast, and at least a semblance of a funny setup, but the actual humor here is pretty sporadic. Technical merits are solid and the supplementary package nicely done, for those who are considering a purchase.