Mystery Team

'Mystery Team' is a quirky little marvel. A concept that makes much more sense as a 10-minute comedy sketch is stretched into a 90-minute feature film and only really has one joke, but somehow it works.

That speaks to the talent of creative minds behind the project. They manage to take a marginally funny idea that becomes stale rather quickly, and somehow, they will this whole vehicle to keep trudging forward. Like MacGyver rigging up the device he needs out of whatever is laying around, the guys from Derrick Comedy enthusiastically squeeze the last drop out of everything at their disposal and get the job done.

The plot: three best friends work as detectives, calling themselves The Mystery team. For a hefty fee of a dime, the group will take on any case that comes their way, which is typically limited to the petty misdeeds of seven-year-olds. The team's exploits were charming when they were also seven, but they're now high school seniors, and their behavior makes them outcasts among their peers (but greatly amusing to movie viewers).

That's the primary joke of the movie-these kids are too old for this stuff. They're awkward and immature. They still think girls are icky. There isn't much to the bit, but the filmmakers have an advanced sense of when to smartly weave in secondary story elements and hilarious supporting characters to keep things entertaining. All the actors appear very aware of what movie they're in. They play their parts without an ounce of self-doubt and just the right level of cheesiness.

It becomes apparent very quickly that while the movie is dumb, it's made by smart people. It leans into its own absurdity. The actors are playing 18-year-olds but look 25 and act like they're seven. The Mystery Team members behave as if they're in a G movie despite all the debauchery from everything and everyone around them being decidedly hard R.

The silly, small-scale hijinks is given reason to become a full-length movie when a sad little girl asks The Mystery Team to solve her parents' murder, and they find themselves involved for the first time in a very adult case. Relying on their usual tactics and disguises, they manage to make impressive progress on the mystery, despite looking ridiculous every step of the way.

That's part of the brilliance of this movie. It's ridiculous because the characters are ridiculous, and it knows that. Many of jokes don't land because they aren't meant to. They're meant to emphasize how goofy and awkward these wannabe detectives are in every human interaction.

It's obvious from watching this film that the creative team members were capable of more. Glover became a superstar and the other members of Derrick Comedy all found their niche in writing or performing. Many of the supporting actors also landed more lucrative roles in movies or TV.

This is by no means a classic. The stars may look back on this and cringe, but they shouldn't. It's a better movie than most will give it credit for, and it's the one that will live on as what was a sign of greater things to come for this talented ensemble.

I enjoyed the ultra-low budget "Mystery Team" a whole lot, just like I enjoyed the equally low budget comedy "The Foot Fist Way." The concept is a great one--three grown men who used to be a locally famous mystery solving team when they were kids (like Mystery Incorporated or the Hardy Boys) but who never grew out of it. The jokes and the story are funny, but the premise isn't set up early enough in the story. It seems to me like a whole opening segment is missing--one that showed the Mystery Team as children solving at least one kiddie mystery and becoming famous for it. The refer to this history quite frequently, but it's never explicitly shown or explained. If you didn't already know (by reading a synopsis or the box) then you might be a bit lost the first half hour or so.

But still, a pretty amazing job for a zero-budget comedy.

UPDATE: I just watched the DVD with the commentary and learned that just such an opening sequence as I described above was filmed--one that showed the Mystery Team as kids, wearing the same clothes and everything. The Derrik people explained that "it just didn't work." Now I'm even more disappointed! It's even worse that this CRUCIAL SEQUENCE did indeed exist, and they actually edited it out! That's right--they purposely edited out the set-up to the high-concept joke that is the basis for the entire story! It's tantamount to editing out the first 30 minutes of "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" because you don't think it's all that important to show the audience that he was a wacky guy who time traveled from the sixties. (he's still funny, right?)

Mystery Team would have made TWICE as much money ($10k?) if they had included the set up to their hour and a half joke. Coulda been a "10" instead of a "7." What an f up!

A fan of DERRICK comedy for many years, I was ecstatic when I found out they were semi-premiering Mystery Team in Austin, and got tickets.

The experience was fantastic. In addition to seeing the feature film, DERRICK frontmen DC, Donald, and Dominic were there to open and close the film and offer a quick Q & A- and the audience was treated to two never-before-seen new DERRICK shorts (which were, easily, some of their most-hilarious) as well as a live comedy sketch the trio did on the subject of their new 'squibbles' social network. (Don't ask, it ultimately was a big hilarious charade with no point.) Long-story-short, the entire night was excellent. Hilarious, genuine, and cleverly-crafted. The film, of course, was the most impressive aspects- both surprising, (minimally) disappointing, and inspiring in the way it played out.

Instead of the requisite R-rated vulgar (albeit hilarious) jabs you might expect from the trailer, the movie flows in a much more light-hearted, innocent manner- only sprinkled with bits of disgust and profanity. But it keeps its momentum WITH these bits, and is all-the-better because of it.

Here we've got, well, The MYSTERY TEAM- three older teenagers who, unlike the harsh reality the film takes place in, have delusions of grandeur and childlike obliviousness that both makes them innocent and immune to some of the outlandish situations they're placed in. The most vulgar and adult character, then, is the actual CHILD of the whole movie, an 8-year-old criminal- who swears and totes guns and hangs out in strip clubs- and the Mystery Team's interaction both with him and the many degenerates of the movie is really the catalyst and heart of both the story's intrigue and comedy.

Think of Alan from The Hangover, or Michael Scott from the Office- characters in that implacable position of both being winningly R-rated/inappropriate and pathetically juvenile at the same time. These guys are like that- and the movie moves and succeeds largely on this facet.

This isn't to say the film is technically superb, though. It is, and I was genuinely surprised. As a filmmaker myself, I was uncertain about how DERRICK's usually so-so technical qualities in their shorts would transport to the big screen. But they do so with maximum, artful flair and professional edge. When I was there, I was amazed at how such a self-produced movie could look so good, especially when I'm knowledgeable of just how far and how good such a camera as DERRICK's can ultimately look. They push their images and equipment to the limits, though, and the film looks simply pristine.

Riding a line similar to, say, Arrested Development in terms of being both preposterous and believable, Mystery Team isn't as FUNNY as the likes of this year's hilarious blockbuster The Hangover (although I've often heard it is).

No, it isn't FUNNIER, per se, but it's damn near close to AS FUNNY as The Hangover. But, no, the comparison isn't a justified one. Because really, Mystery Team succeeds in being an overall BETTER film- laden with characters you either love to hate or enjoy seeing succeed, pushing an innocence that makes you smile, and moving through situations and locations so diverse, profane, and vulgar you can't help but be intrigued.

Played-out like an actual mystery caper in classic Scooby-Doo fashion, Mystery Team's ability to mix heavy, outlandish satire with gritty realism and classical if not slightly overdone narrative flow makes it a potently winning, highly satisfying picture.

After the movie I got a chance to talk very briefly with the creators, and all approached my questions and musings with absolute friendliness, casual respect, and poise that made them fitting actors for such innocent roles. I may only be 19, but I've seen my share of douchebag indie filmmakers and these guys- both in their work and presentation- were anything but. A breath of fresh air I really enjoyed to be a part of. I hope they go far. Dominic, DC, Donald- if you ever read this: Bravo and Good Luck, guys.

A solid 8/10, close to a 9. If this plays even REMOTELY close to you, go see it. It's a genuinely silly and unforgiving pleasure of a movie you're sure to absolutely love.

Not sure why some people hate the movie so much. Of course this isn't a family film and the movie is not to be taken so seriously. I suppose that a movie can't please everyone. I for one am a fan of Derrick Comedy and this was good time spent. I hadn't laughed from a movie as much as I have after watching this one. Although I did feel that one of the main three characters was left out, it actually portrayed what the character's personality was. The first couple of minutes didn't make the movie seem that great, but as the story progresses, it gets better. As for the plot itself, it's not what makes the movie good. This movie is a comedy, and for what comedies do, it was spot on. In the end it's going to be up to you to decide whether you like it or not, but I for one recommend it. Maybe it's because of all the hours I've been awake so far, but I was laughing the whole way through.

Hilarious. Cute. Adorable. Hard hitting action. Swear words! This movie has everything.

Seriously, Comedy Examiner said this was the funniest move of 2010 (June writing) and I seriously agree.

I saw this sketch comedy team on YT and they were very, very funny. Yet they rose to new heights by combining my favorite genre as an 8 year old with world weary modernism. I just wish that my favorite SNL characters would have made a film in this vein. It's funny; very funny. It's fresh and it hasa lot of heart...then spleen, then kidneys.

Best of luck to these guys and looking forward to the sequel.