Mystery Men (***) – It’s not often that I actually welcome a sequel to a movie, but I look forward to and pray that this film is successful, because I want to see Mystery Men 2 as soon as possible.Many critics have likened this ingenious concept to a six-minute skit on The Ben Stiller Show. While that may be true, it’s a concept that screams out for a full-length movie. And here’s one that both lampoons the world of superheroes while at the same time respecting it. And what inspired casting too. Ben Stiller as the thinly veiled replica of the Incredible Hulk known as Mr. Furious. The great William H. Macy as the Shoveler. Hank Azaria has a lot of fun as the silverware-wielding Blue Raja and how can you not love Janeane Garofalo as the bowler? The movie starts off strong with its opening scene and keeps on moving with Greg Kinnear doing his best Talk Soup smugging as Captain Amazing. And just when it seems to be running out of steam, we are introduced to fresh new characters – first with Paul Reubens, making a nice comeback as the Spleen, then onto Garofalo’s character, then onto one of my favorites – Wes Studi as the Sphinx, then onto fleshing out Tom Waits’ weapons designer. The film has a great look to it, truly in the grand tradition of comic books and recent comic book movies, and for about 75 minutes, it’s very funny. The last half hour or so gets a little tame on jokes, if not on action – (what does ever happen to Lena Olin as Casanova’s partner though. She actually does a better disappearing act than the Invisible Boy, never to be heard from again.) - giving us the feeling that this is a film idea just getting warmed up. But that only happens during the third act.The first two will be enormously entertaining for those who grew up with or know anything about comic books and the movies and cartoons that followed them. Stiller shows what a gifted comedic actor he is, spewing out ad-libs with razor sharp accuracy and partner-in-crime Garofalo is right there to back him up. Invisible Boy is kind of a one joke character, but Hank Azaria brings a lot of joy to his role as the Blue Raja. Macy is the father figure here and he’s welcome to the challenge. While Mystery Men could have been better in spots, I still can’t wait for the sequel. (Note: Johnny B fans will be happy to hear Janeane Garofalo’s explanation of how she says Sabotage.)