The Corner Penthouse

Mystery Team (2009) arrives on Blu-ray as the 36th entry in Lionsgate's Vestron Video Collector's Series, "a line of classic and unique genre films, remastered and numbered, and packed with special features." I have reviewed several other titles in the series.

[ SYNOPSIS ]

Jason (Donald Glover), Duncan (D.C. Pierson), and Charlie (Dominic Dierkes) were kid detectives. Now they're eighteen and still solving child crimes. But when the Mystery Team is challenged to solve a murder, they're pulled into a dangerous world of sex, drugs, and swear words.

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:37:41. The movie has been rated R for crude sexual content, nudity, language and some drug material. Audio languages include English. Subtitle languages include English SDH.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

Here is a list of the special features that are included on the disc.

• Audio Commentary - with Derrick Comedy; the group comprised of Dan Eckman, DC Pierson, Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, and Meggie McFadden. Originally recorded in 2009 or 2010 for DVD.
• Not On Our Watch! Investigating Mystery Team (33:28) - A 2025 retrospective with interviews and lots of backstage candid footage.
• The 16 1/2 Anniversary Mystery Team Screening and Q&A (25:30) - An event held on April 2, 2025 with Andy Young moderating Dan Eckman (director, editor), Meggie McFadden (producer), DC Pierson (writer, played "Duncan") and Dominic Dierkes (writer, played "Charlie").
• Making Mystery Team (6:23) - An archival featurette from 2009 or 2010 that provides a short taste of the production effort, with a generous amount of behind-the-scenes footage capturing life on the film set.
• Deleted Material (4:07) - A hodgepodge of excised moments. Not scenes, just tiny samples of jokes and improvisations that didn't make the cut.
• Pre-Production Test Scene (2:25) - A rough version of the film's opening scene, shot without the benefit of costumes, make-up, and professional camera equipment.
• Who Is Wally Cummings? (5:58) - An interview with "Wally Cummings"; Donald Glover playing another ridiculously-mustachioed character.
• Theatrical Trailer (2:01)

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

A Digital Copy code voucher is included in the standard one-disc blue Blu-ray case. The first print run includes a slipcover. The case artwork is reversible. The default side matches the slipcover with a new drawing, and the reverse features (what I assume is) the original theatrical poster art.

[ NOTES ]

Mystery Team (2009) is available to buy on Blu-ray through the link in the list below. I was taken aback when I first read that a film from 2009 was being included in the Vestron Video Collector's Series. Vestron was long out of business by 2009, though to be fair, many of the titles in the Blu-ray series (see list below) were never released by the company at all. Still, Vestron was well known during the VHS era, so it only makes sense that films from the 1980s to the early 2000s, when videotapes were prevalent, should be included. The rare 1960s or 1970s movies included in the series could be excused because they were released on VHS at some point. VHS was dead when Mystery Team was originally released on DVD in 2010.

Ignoring the film's dubious inclusion in the Vestron Blu-ray series, I have to say that the film was not that bad. The absurdity takes a while to get used to. The actors are playing 18-year-olds, but look 25, and act like they're seven. After a while, you do get used to it and kind of revel in the stupidity of it all. The strip club... excuse me, "gentleman's club" scene is a highlight and, for me at least, the source of the film's biggest laughs. In addition to lead Donald Glover, the cast includes a few notables in small roles, such as Aubrey Plaza, Bobby Moynihan, Matt Walsh, Jon Daly, and Ellie Kemper; the latter is wasted in a running gag where she is another grown-up acting like a mystery-solving juvenile. Again, once you get used to the concept, it's actually not a bad film, even though I still don't feel that it belongs in the Vestron Video Collector's Series. (For a longer take, which 100% matches my feelings, read Jared Andrews's review.)

The Vestron Video Collector's Series includes the following Blu-ray releases.


This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.