Synopsis

The video adapts the world of the superhero comedy "Mystery Men," opening with the film's oddball heroes auditioning potential recruits. A series of applicants demonstrate unusual abilities, only to be rejected. When Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell appears in an Elvis-inspired outfit, his confident performance wins over the panel. He then embarks on a comic hero's journey involving a burning building, a rescued dog, admiring women, and a motor trike, while the band performs before the assembled heroes.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was created as a promotional tie-in for "Mystery Men," which used "All Star" on its soundtrack. The film's superhero characters appear throughout the clip.

• Much of the superhero footage comes from "Mystery Men." In newly filmed material, several characters are represented by body doubles and are shown mainly from behind.

• The cast appearances include Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, Hank Azaria, Paul Reubens, Janeane Garofalo, Kel Mitchell, Doug Jones, and Dane Cook.

• The opening audition sequence mirrors a scene from "Mystery Men" in which the heroes search for new team members.

• "All Star" was released as a single on May 4, 1999, and became Smash Mouth's signature song. It later reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• The song was the last track written for "Astro Lounge." Its success helped drive the album's commercial breakthrough.

• Although the song is now strongly associated with "Shrek," the "All Star" video is built around "Mystery Men," which featured the song before the 2001 animated film.