Superhero Movie

Any movie with the word 'movie' in the title should be approached with some trepidation.

But the unabashed success of four 'Scarys', an 'Epic', a 'Date', a 'Not Another Teen' and, er, Meet the Spartans (working title: Not Another Scary Epic Teen Date Movie) proves that there's always room for more mickey-taking silliness.

Produced by spoof-meister David Zucker (co-creator of the mighty Airplane! and Hot Shots!), 'Superhero' upholds the rude'n'crude tradition by pricking the egos of Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. Even Stephen Hawking isn't safe.

Drake Bell is the hapless geek who is bitten by a dragonfly and left with cool powers. Except one: the ability to fly.  

His quest to get the girl and save the world from caddish nemesis Hourglass (Christopher MacDonald) brings him face-to-face with Pamela Anderson (in Spandex), Airplane’s Robert Hays (in cameo) and Leslie Nielsen as a typically confused old fart.

Speaking of which, amidst the non-stop barrage of slapstick, character assassination (including a splendid dig at Tom Cruise's online Scientology PR stunt) and general irreverence, it unleashes the most protracted bout of on-screen flatulence since Blazing Saddles.

Guff? You betcha. And proud of it.

Elliott Noble