Mystery Team

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.

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!

You have to see this movie.

"Mystery Team" is a parody of a phenomenon that was never itself a film: The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and especially Encyclopedia Brown.

They manage to walk the line -- like the first Austin Powers film -- so that it's neither too wacky so you can't believe it and don't care about the characters, but not too boring that it's not full of subtle interplay.

The main gag is the innocence of the boys, who are thrust into adult situations continually. It's all about the acting in this film, and kudos especially to "Donald Glover". Dressing like an outrageous hobo, for example, could come across as really stupid in a film with Jim Carrey or Rob Schneider, who play up their roles too much. Donald manages to do it consistently.

On top of that, there are a several delightful plot twists that you won't see coming. The film tries to balance the boys basically being incompetent with allowing them to succeed in a way that isn't too corny.

It's laugh-out-loud funny throughout, a genuine must-see if you like intelligent edgy comedies. Note, it's not really meant to be a kids film. There's a lot of raunchy humor.

I'll give Mystery Team a well-earned 9 out of 10. It just missed a 10 because the ending was good but not quite a classic.

I loved it. Loved it all over. I was on the edge of my seat, but I kept falling over with laughter. It was written in a way that was perfectly suited to the comedic voices of Bobby Moynihan, Matt Walsh, Jon Daly, Aubrey Plaza, etc but still maintained a really strong voice in and of itself.

Gun to my head, if I had to criticize it, I would say I could have used more Ben Schwartz. But I feel that way about EVERYTHING........

So so so good. I cannot say enough good things about this movie!!!! I feel as though any negative reviewers on here probably wanted to see a simple, straight-forward comedy and that it is not. It is an ethically challenging movie with really artistic choices and deep belly uncontrollable laughs.

Enjoy.

Went into this film with zero knowledge of DERRICK comedy (the name reminds me of a famous German TV detective series) or the movie. Well, I must say I laughed more during this film than any other comedy I've seen this year. The dialog and deadpan delivery coupled with a truly clever script result in some genuine hilarity.

For the uninitiated, like myself, the following might help you decide whether this is something you'd like to watch. The film centers around three young (high school senior) "detectives" who've been solving various mysteries (disappearing kitty, stolen lunch, etc.) for a dime a pop throughout their childhood, when they are suddenly thrust into the midst of an honest to goodness real crime investigation. The plot is motivated by a basic fish out of water storyline, whereupon the three chaps stumble around in the adult world mostly unaware of what is going on around them, which makes for some genuinely funny situations.

The lead actors are affable and quickly pull the audience to their side. Unfortunately the supporting cast provides uneven performances, and the entire movie has a "homemade" feel to it. That doesn't begrudge the film's strengths though, carried by the three principals and the comic situations and dialog, which are presented and delivered perfectly. Considering the minimal budget with which they must have worked, one can look past the deficiencies.

I gave the movie 8 stars because I laughed an awful lot, and that's what a comedy is supposed to do, make one laugh. This also reminded me of the Broken Lizard comedy team and Super Troopers. Hopefully the DERRICK team will be able to sustain the momentum and keep making movies as funny as this one, with a better supporting cast and more sure handed direction, which could easily get them atop the current comedy heap.