Genre
Superhero Movie is a 2008 spoof film. A parody film is a comedy that satirises other film genres or films.This film parodies the entire superhero genre but is mainly a direct parody of the first Spider-Man. The film features the late, great Leslie Nielsen who was known for his roles in parody films such as the Naked Gun. The film also makes fun of certain celebrities and their real-life actions such as Tom Cruise's Scientology video as well as scientist Steven Hawking.
Characters (Propp)
- Hero - Rick Riker/ Dragonfly: unpopular student at school, parody of Peter Parker from Spiderman. He lives with his Uncle Albert and Aunt Lucille.
- Princess - Jill Johnson: Rick's crush, hardly notices him and is dating bully, Lance Landers, who is the nephew of the villain. Later falls in love with Rick. Parody of Mary-Jane from Spiderman
- Villain - Lou Landers/Hourglass: the uncle of Lance Landers, a lab researcher who is involved in an accident during an experiment at the lab, transforming him into Hourglass, a villainous being who can siphon the life energy from others, killing them. Parody of Green Goblin from Spiderman
- Helper(s) - Mr and Mrs Xavier - Rick is told to make a costume by Mrs. Xavier, and adopts the identity of the Dragonfly. Mr Xavier tells Rick to join his school for mutants, parody of X-Men.
Narrative (Todorov)
- Equilibrium - Unpopular high school student Rick Riker lives with his Aunt and Uncle, his parents died when he was a child. Rick goes on a school trip to an animal research lab and is comically bitten by a radioactive dragonfly.
- Disruption - Lou Landers is involved in an accident during an experiment at the lab, becomes the Hourglass, has a fight with Rick, who is now called Dragonfly. Rick is badly injured. During a Thanksgiving dinner at the Rikers, Landers visits the family, he nearly catches Rick dressed as the Dragonfly. Landers later manages to learn his secret identity. The Hourglass appears and murders Aunt Lucille.
- Restoration - At an awards ceremony, Rick tries to found the real Hourglass, after being told by Landers it is the Dalai Lama and failing to "uncover" him, Rick discovers that Landers is the real Hourglass. This leads to a fight scene which results in Landers' death and Rick getting the girl and finally learning how to fly.
