Adapted from the popular Dark Horse Comics title Flaming Carrot, Mystery Men is an offbeat comedy with several hits--and just as many misses. Some scenes breeze by airily, while others seem to trudge along. Some are well-written--witness Macy's inspirational speech to the group--while others devolve into the latest variant on the bathroom humor that's been all the rage this summer. The movie would have been better had it been 15 minutes shorter.

At nearly all times, though, Mystery Men is self-aware, and the fact that the actors aren't taking things too seriously makes the comic book-esque story more palatable. Likewise, the crafty production design--which consists of just the right blend of cartoonish influence and real life--helps to maintain the tone of the movie.

Director Kinka Usher employs a unique visual style and doesn't hesitate to use unusual camera angles--a methodology that keeps both viewers and the actors on their toes. Unfortunately, not all of the scenes flow smoothly from one to the other. Mystery Men is more easily remembered for its discrete parts rather than its sum total. One of the trickiest things in the movie is to get the comedic timing right, and that's something that Usher did manage with aplomb.

The movie is packed with a star-studded ensemble cast, and viewers can't help but want something more from the film. The standout is Garofalo, who has some of the best lines in the film. Coming in a close second is Macy, who shows he can handle comedy just as well as the more serious dramas he's known best for. In fact, Macy's The Shoveler ends up stealing the show--not to mention the leadership of the group. Stiller's character comes across as annoying, but he redeems himself by the end of the film. Azaria falls a bit flat, while Reubens shows he still has comic life left in him--even though it's hard to understand everything his character is saying.