Title: Superhero Movie
Running Time: 85 min.
Cast: Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Christopher Mc Donald
Director: Craig Mazin
Producers: Craig Mazin, Robert K. Weiss, David Zucker
Screenwriter: Craig Mazin
Music: James L. Vanable
Editors: Craig Herring, Dan Schalk
Genre: Comedy
Cinematography: Thomas A. Ackerman
Distributor: Alliance Films
Location: Universal City, California, USA
Technical Assessment: 2 ½
Moral Assessment: 2 ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 up
Orphaned Ricky Riker a.k.a Dragonfly (Drake Bell) is a weakling teenager who is bitten by a dragonfly during a school field trip and since then discovers strange changes in his body and abilities. He realizes and confides it to his Uncle Albert (Leslie Nielsen) and friend Trey (Kevin Hart) that he actually acquires superpower out of that dragonfly bite. The initial confusions of Rick turns into full understanding of how it goes with his acquired power and he becomes determined to use it for human good, so he goes on with his heroic interventions as Dragonfly in a costume to save people from crimes. With his gained confidence, Rick also sees the opportunity to advance himself in his long time admiration of Jill Johnson (Sara Paxton). Meanwhile, Lou Landers a.k.a Hourglass (Christopher McDonald) has a failed experiment for cure of his sickness and instead makes him Hourglass with power to be continuously alive by sucking people's life; the more people he kills by sucking, the more he lives longer and even to immortality. But Lou finds out he will have difficulty fulfilling this selfish and inhuman deed with Dragonfly getting in his way.
Superhero Movie is obviously a spoof of blockbuster superhero films and known international personalities (hopefully with permission of the respected people spoofed in the film). Expectedly as a spoof, the movie offers comedy that is effectively delivered by the plot and special effects. Most subplots are copied but putting them together in a context of one film makes sense for a hilarious movie. Acting wise there is nothing much especially from main actors Drake and Sara. But supporting actors indeed contributed in delivering punch lines of the film. The production design, make-up and cinematography are good. The film is shorter (85 minutes only) than the usual duration.
Just like other original superhero characters, Dragonfly is also lovable because of his effort and commitment to use his superpower for human good. The film shows the triumph of good over evil. Indeed more than anything else life should matter and should be protected. Despite being a spoof, the film tries to convey positive messages like how old couples can be caring for each other and how they are concerned over the welfare and growth of a person entrusted to their care. It is a bit alarming though that some of the scenes and lines that are meant for comedy have double meaning (sexually and dehumanizing). The film should also have considered how people they spoof in the film are highly regarded. The film may be entertaining, but for the most part is rude and heavy on sexual content.
Running Time: 85 min.
Cast: Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Christopher Mc Donald
Director: Craig Mazin
Producers: Craig Mazin, Robert K. Weiss, David Zucker
Screenwriter: Craig Mazin
Music: James L. Vanable
Editors: Craig Herring, Dan Schalk
Genre: Comedy
Cinematography: Thomas A. Ackerman
Distributor: Alliance Films
Location: Universal City, California, USA
Technical Assessment: 2 ½
Moral Assessment: 2 ½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 up
Orphaned Ricky Riker a.k.a Dragonfly (Drake Bell) is a weakling teenager who is bitten by a dragonfly during a school field trip and since then discovers strange changes in his body and abilities. He realizes and confides it to his Uncle Albert (Leslie Nielsen) and friend Trey (Kevin Hart) that he actually acquires superpower out of that dragonfly bite. The initial confusions of Rick turns into full understanding of how it goes with his acquired power and he becomes determined to use it for human good, so he goes on with his heroic interventions as Dragonfly in a costume to save people from crimes. With his gained confidence, Rick also sees the opportunity to advance himself in his long time admiration of Jill Johnson (Sara Paxton). Meanwhile, Lou Landers a.k.a Hourglass (Christopher McDonald) has a failed experiment for cure of his sickness and instead makes him Hourglass with power to be continuously alive by sucking people's life; the more people he kills by sucking, the more he lives longer and even to immortality. But Lou finds out he will have difficulty fulfilling this selfish and inhuman deed with Dragonfly getting in his way.Superhero Movie is obviously a spoof of blockbuster superhero films and known international personalities (hopefully with permission of the respected people spoofed in the film). Expectedly as a spoof, the movie offers comedy that is effectively delivered by the plot and special effects. Most subplots are copied but putting them together in a context of one film makes sense for a hilarious movie. Acting wise there is nothing much especially from main actors Drake and Sara. But supporting actors indeed contributed in delivering punch lines of the film. The production design, make-up and cinematography are good. The film is shorter (85 minutes only) than the usual duration.
Just like other original superhero characters, Dragonfly is also lovable because of his effort and commitment to use his superpower for human good. The film shows the triumph of good over evil. Indeed more than anything else life should matter and should be protected. Despite being a spoof, the film tries to convey positive messages like how old couples can be caring for each other and how they are concerned over the welfare and growth of a person entrusted to their care. It is a bit alarming though that some of the scenes and lines that are meant for comedy have double meaning (sexually and dehumanizing). The film should also have considered how people they spoof in the film are highly regarded. The film may be entertaining, but for the most part is rude and heavy on sexual content.
